posted
Have you tried treating for parasites? I was very skinny when I was sick, yet my stomach still protruded some for being so thin. I had so many worms, it's no wonder!!!
Parasites can also cause weight gain as well as weight loss.
It's a missing piece of the puzzle for many of us. I had Lyme, babs, and bart, and the parasite treatment was a breakthrough.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
There really is hope at the end of the tunnel!
Many years ago when I really started to feel horrible, but was still functioning I gained approximately 45 - 50 pounds. It was unbelievable as I was always an athlete (and was in training for the Marine Corp Marathon at the time). Plus, I seriously never over ate or indulged in unhealthy food.
My sisters were all small and tiny and ate whatever/whenever. It was maddening. I did not know what to do.
I joined Weight Watchers, but it was no help b/c my eating and exercise habits were not the cause.
I went to a nutritionist and followed her eating plan. I lost a little weight, but was still seriously fat. In the meantime I was still trying to keep up with my running, walking and ballet and stretch classes.
To make a long story short, when I finally found out I had Lyme, Bart and Babs and began treatment the weight started to come off. Slowly, slowly, slowly as it has been a year and a half and included three months of IV Rocephin.
All of my extra pounds were in my stomach (people sometimes asked if I was pregnant) and my chest. My legs were still thin. The pictures in your post very much reminded me of my situation.
Now I am a good, normal weight. The abx helped me very much, but I am still fighting all the other symptoms of Lyme and cos.
I just had another thought -- a lot of times I read that Lyme and cos cause weight loss. That was the exact opposite of me and I don't know why.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
For me it was weight loss. I only weighed 128 when I became ill and I lost down to 102. The first 2 years of my illness I gradually lost 10 pounds; then the 3rd year I lost the rest, which was 16 pounds. So it wasn't rapid weight loss for me, especially at first.
The fourth year of illness I stayed the exact same weight the entire year and this was my second year of treatment. No matter what I ate I did not gain one pound.
The last couple of months I have gained 3 pounds. Not sure if its because I am beginning to get better or if its from hormones that I just started about 3 months ago.
Anyway, one of the symptoms of LD is weight loss or gain. It can go either way. I think that once you are well, that your weight will definetly get back on track.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Very interesting link and pictures 17hens. I lost weight initially when I became sick, gained weight last summer, weight stabilized over the winter then I gained more over this summer. I've gained 15-20 extra pounds since this April.
I'm really unhappy about the weight gain because I eat healthy, small portions. I am very careful to avoid sugary, refined/processed foods, and fried foods.
I've recently been struggling with both Babesia and Bartonella flares. My doctor had me stop some of my medications to try something new. I developed major swelling (whole body), mostly non-pitting edema like in the pictures above. My pants and bras and shoes got too tight overnight! I gained 10 lbs from the edema.
My LLMD wasn't too concerned but he wasn't the one that suddenly couldn't wear his clothes. My ND was more understanding, she said that it was due to the infections flaring. She said that it should get better with treatment. It has gotten better, I lost 5 of the extra edema pounds but I'm still up 5.
Does anyone know what Dr.S recommends for his patients that are dealing with this? Someone could PM me if you know and don't want to post openly. I just want to get better and would appreciate any advice. It's scary gaining 5-10lbs over night (literally) then not being able to lose it.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
hey, hey! if there's any pming going on, please include me here!!!
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Please don't judge yourself.
As long as you eat the right amount of healthy, nutritious and delicious foods . . . get what gentle exercise you can (non-aerobic) . . . get to sleep by 10 or 11 at night . . . and treat the infection(s) . . . this will likely get better. But it will take time.
Remember that weight gain from infection is due mostly to inflammation & swelling.
Lyme can cause either loss (early on) or gain (usually later). Whichever, adrenal support is key to normalizing that. (With the assumption that everyone already has a healthful eating plan).
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections. The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections. You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
The author describes LLMDs giving examples in lyme patients of dramatic weight gain that was "undeserved" (so to speak) -- and reduction with little effort once infections were adequately addressed and the endocrine system was supported and repaired.
The Potbelly Syndrome: How Common Germs Cause Obesity, Diabetes, And Heart Disease (Paperback) - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
==================
Remember that lyme really messes up the HPA axis (Hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal network). The pituitary has much to do with weight/growth. Mess up any part of the endocrine system and other parts suffer, too.
. . . It seems likely that these bacterial species could serve as biological indicators of a developing overweight condition.
Of even greater interest, and the subject of future research, is the possibility that oral bacteria may participate in the pathology that leads to obesity. . . .
================
ADRENAL SUPPORT can make a difference so as to minimize the cortisol damage.
Cordyceps is recommend here:
This is included in Burrascano's Guidelines, but you may want to be able to refer to it separately, too:
A GLUTEN-FREE DIET can be of tremendous help to reduce inflammation, swelling and a "puffed" body. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Also of interest: some drugs can cause weight gain. If the liver is overwhelmed from toxicity (and many drugs are toxic), weight gain is often the result. Of course, the brilliant thinkers have not pieced together the puzzle about all that yet.
Any time there is liver damage, weight gain can follow. Anytime the brain has to deal with a chemical overload, weight can be affected. -------------
Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease (Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
------------ As important as any supplements, sections regarding self-care:
Go to page 27 for SUPPORTIVE THERAPY & the CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES
and also pages 31-32 for advice on a safe, non-aerobic exercise plan and physical rehabilitation. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
I too have gained around 20 pounds...
I'm not on any meds I workout 4-5 days a week and still can't lose a pound
Keep working on it!!!
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Just focus on healthful habits. Get rid of your scale. Once infections are treated and the endocrine system normalizes (with good support along the way), this should all work out.
Life is different now. The same units of measures just don't work the same way. Take the very best care, get the best advice and don't worry about the numbers from day to day. Swelling, inflammation trick the scale. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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