posted
Now that I have gained almost 50 pounds over the last 5 years of dealing with and treating lyme disease I just can't get rid of the weight gain.
Has anyone had any luck with this?
It's mostly in the belly & hips like I swelled up and became a different person.
I still exercise and eat only healthy correct portions of food but the swelling feeling never goes away.
I have never been over weight and don't know what it's like.
I am an exercise nut and can't believe that this is the way I must stay.
I just don't get it............??
-------------------- Margaret Posts: 103 | From CT | Registered: Feb 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Do your hormones check out okay? Maybe the weight gain is hormonal....thyroid, adrenal, female hormones, etc.
Also, I would look into any reasons the body might retain water or get puffy. I'm not sure reasons for that, but I know it does happen to some people, and taking meds or changing diet can help (I believe). Dunno because I haven't experienced that first-hand.
My Dad is very sensitive to things like sugar and soda, and when he drinks Coke, he gets puffy.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- After an early unexplained weight loss for some, it is very common for lyme patients to gain "undeserved" weight. Exercising too much can actually make things worse if your adrenals are dysfunctional as is the case with many lyme patients. Adrenal support can help exercise work better for you.
But, as exercise can have a broad definition - if it supports you, great. If you feel worn out from it, that's a different story and then can further stress a endocrine system and contribute to weight gain from excess cortisol.
Most patients who experience gain find that once the infection is tamed, the weight will be, too. ADRENAL support is essential, though as the infection just fries that whole system. Also, some weight gain is from inflammation. Curcumin can help that.
Mostly, just take the best care of yourself and don't worry about size. If you are taking the best care of yourself - that is what matters. The "Potbelly" book tells of several patients who, through no fault of their own, gain large amounts of weight but, after treatment it disappeared nearly as fast as it had appeared.
The liver, too, is to be held responsible but it's likely doing the best it can.
So, liver, adrenal and cardiac support are vital to help offset the endocrine damage that results in weight gain.
. . . 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. . . .
Many gain between 10 and 20 pounds in only 11 weeks, new study shows
===================== 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.
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. But the Wilson Adrenal book below offers the best advice on what to do about it.
You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008)
========================
This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures, including those to help adrenal/endocrine function:
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
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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posted
I'm happy to read such supportive replies. I struggle with this also, gaining weight despite taking the best care of myself in my life in terms of both diet and exercise.
I agree with the advice to prioritize taking good care over worrying about the numbers on the scale, but it's a difficult to do in practice. I hate feeling so out of control over my weight!
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Thank you for the replies. As far as exercise goes, I am very careful and have only been doing low level types and even none at all when I am not feeling well. I have been a runner for 25 years and worked out agressively daily until I got lyme and couldn't even walk. I have been doing ball work, walking and pilates to try to stay fit. Last year I was tested for everything (saliva) and found that my sugars are out of wack (I have always had hypoglycemia), my Vit D was way to low, my adrenals were struggling,and had estrogen dominance (I am 52). The hormone doctor put me on adrenal & progestrerone creams, Vit D, Adrenal support pills, cortisol manager and melatonin. I eat protien, low carbs & fat in small amounts during the day 8am 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. I am still struggling with nightime insomnia, night sweats and weight gain. I am usually exhausted and irritable every day. I have been treated for Lyme disease for the past 5 years with a LLMD and have now been on only natural antibiotics for the past year. The lyme is much better. These other symptoms are too much. Maybe because I was finally starting to feel better from the lyme and now I can't even sleep again! And I am so fat that I am embarrassed. I was a size 8 and now a 14!! I will be getting the books that were suggested and see if I can change something that I am doing to help myself. Any other suggestions would be most helpful. Thank you!
-------------------- Margaret Posts: 103 | From CT | Registered: Feb 2007
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
nite sweats = babs???
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Are you eating sugar?? That's the main thing.. and high fructose corn syrup in soft drinks.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
This is such a struggle and I so sympathize with you.
Honestly, I suspect Bartonella was the cause for me.
I exercised every day -- even ran the Marine Corp Marathon, ate correctly, went to a nutritionist, all the right things.
People constantly discussed my weight. It was a nightmare. When I was young enough, I was asked when my baby was due. Seriously, I wasn't even pregnant. None of it made sense.
Since beging diagnosed with Bart and starting abx I have seen a dramatic loss of weight.
I am sorry for your struggle. It just isn't fair.
-------------------- 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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