Unexplained weight gain

[ponygirlmom]

Okay, my cardio says that my ever-decreasing dose of steroids would NOT cause weight gain. My GP disagrees. He also says that my thyroid is definitely fine.

I swear I am not shoving down high-calorie foods in the middle of the night! In fact, my diet is currently so restricted for various medical reasons that only "make you fat" food I regularly eat is mayo. And even though I like mayo, you can't really sit in front of the TV with a jar and a spoon. (Apologies to anyone trying to eat breakfast while reading that last sentence!)

As everyone knows from reading Movin' & Groovin' -- you DO read Movin' & Groovin', don't you? Don't you???? -- I definitely exercise, usually every day.

Yes, I supposed I could go on a really strict diet, but I think that's totally unfair, considering that I didn't do anything different to cause a weight gain, expect maybe to take steroids that at first made me lose so much weight that I looked like a skeleton!

Who else has had this problem? Any ideas?

 

[DebbyA]

If you're exercising, maybe it's muscle?

 

[geebee]

It takes some time for you to fully experience the weight gain from steroids and even longer to loose that weight. You might just still be a bit on the way up from before the decrease.

I would definitely say the gain is the steroids so wait a bit and see if your metabolism gets over the hump. I was on steroids for over a year and it took quite some time for me to get back to normal weight.

 

[Karlynn]

I know your frustration! So are you feeling you are over-weight or you just fear that if you keep on gaining you will be. What is your age again?

I really wouldn't try a very restricted diet, because that's really not good for your body. If you lose weight, you'll just gain it back again (and probably more) when you start eating normally again.

You're only 6 months out from your surgery, so I think, in part, your body is still trying to adjust and find it's way. If you get what I mean.

I'd keep up the exercise (good for you!) and just eat sensibly. Try to stay away from refined foods and simple sugars.
I've been reading "You on a Diet" by Drs. Oz and Roizen and have found lots of good information in there. I highly recommend it.

 

[ponygirlmom]

I know your frustration! So are you feeling you are over-weight or you just fear that if you keep on gaining you will be. What is your age again?

I'm 45. It's not a feeling -- all I have to do is put on my clothes to know I've gained weight. Or I could step on the scale. Or look in the mirror.

Say.... maybe it's my dryer!!!! Oh, wait. I don't dry my clothes in the dryer. Darn!

 

[ponygirlmom]

It takes some time for you to fully experience the weight gain from steroids and even longer to loose that weight. You might just still be a bit on the way up from before the decrease.

I would definitely say the gain is the steroids so wait a bit and see if your metabolism gets over the hump. I was on steroids for over a year and it took quite some time for me to get back to normal weight.

Did you have to diet to get back to your normal weight, or did the weight come off by itself after a while?

When I developed my thyroid problem in 2000, the thyroid meds stopped me from gaining more weight, but tragically they don't help you lose weight. I had to do that all by myself. It was a real drag and I don't want to have to do it again!

 

[Superbob]

Just want to urge you not to get discouraged. You are just 1/2 a year out from surgery, so body is still making adjustments. As others have said, prescribed steroids can have lingering effects. You'll get to where you want to be with time.

 

[ponygirlmom]

If you're exercising, maybe it's muscle?

Yeah! I have really strong stomach muscles! They are so awesome my waistband can't contain them!

 

[geebee]

Did you have to diet to get back to your normal weight, or did the weight come off by itself after a while?

When I developed my thyroid problem in 2000, the thyroid meds stopped me from gaining more weight, but tragically they don't help you lose weight. I had to do that all by myself. It was a real drag and I don't want to have to do it again!

Well, the weight came off by itself but I was 31 and 1.5 years out of my second OHS so I was very active. I did not diet. I am not sure age would matter but activity does help the metabolism.

 

[Karlynn]

Yeah! I have really strong stomach muscles! They are so awesome my waistband can't contain them!

Laughter is the best medicine! And laughing is better than crying!

You may have a whole confluence of issues. The steroids, the post-surgery healing, starting to get to "that age". (Some women found that OHS pushed them towards menopause more quickly.)

I just turned 50 and I never had to do much of anything to lose weight. Now in the past year, I am having a DEVIL of a time. I've finally decided that all I can do is eat healthy, exercise and let it be what it is.

I'm going in next week for my cardio check up and I will be mentioning my weight-loss issues to her, but I have a feeling she's just going to tell me it's my age.

Don't give up - keep trying! Fresh fruits and veggies, lean meat, whole grains, all in equal portions and lots of water.

 

[geebee]

I'm going in next week for my cardio check up and I will be mentioning my weight-loss issues to her, but I have a feeling she's just going to tell me it's my age.

I wish my cardio would just blame my weight on age but he keeps insisting I am just plain out of shape. However, I have not changed anything but my age so....... you do the math.

I am finding that, as long as I eat healthy and continue my exercise routine, I am caring less and less about how I look as I get older. Not old enough yet to get past vanity but I feel it coming.

 

[Ross]

What steroids are you on? If it's prednisone, that is definately the answer. I was on it for years and blew up to look like the Michelin Man.

 

[Lynlw]

It takes some time for you to fully experience the weight gain from steroids and even longer to loose that weight. You might just still be a bit on the way up from before the decrease.

I would definitely say the gain is the steroids so wait a bit and see if your metabolism gets over the hump. I was on steroids for over a year and it took quite some time for me to get back to normal weight.

I agree. I had the same issues with predisone, had the nice moon face and rest of body looked a little like the moon too It took a couple months after I stopped to get back to my normal weight, I didn't diet

 

[Ross]

I agree. I had the same issues with predisone, had the nice moon face and rest of body looked a little like the moon too It took a couple months after I stopped to get back to my normal weight, I didn't diet

Such a lovely drug isn't it? We should recommend it to all our friends.

 

[ponygirlmom]

What steroids are you on? If it's prednisone, that is definately the answer. I was on it for years and blew up to look like the Michelin Man.

Yes, that's the one! If the problem is the prednisone, I won't worry about my weight until I'm done with it. I've just started three weeks of alternating 10mg and 7.5mg, then I have three weeks of 7.5 and 5, and then 5 and 2.5, and then I THINK I'm done. (I started at FORTY mg!)

How much were you on that you were the Michelin Man?

 

[ponygirlmom]

I agree. I had the same issues with predisone, had the nice moon face....

That's interesting; it hasn't affected my face. Yet.

 

[Lynlw]

Such a lovely drug isn't it? We should recommend it to all our friends.

As an added joy it made me rather moody

 

[Ross]

As an added joy it made me rather moody

Oh yes. Lyn was ready to kill me and I swear I saw my employees laying Claymore Mines near my office door. I know those poor guys saw my car in the lot and just wanted to turn around and go home.

 

[Ross]

Yes, that's the one! If the problem is the prednisone, I won't worry about my weight until I'm done with it. I've just started three weeks of alternating 10mg and 7.5mg, then I have three weeks of 7.5 and 5, and then 5 and 2.5, and then I THINK I'm done. (I started at FORTY mg!)

How much were you on that you were the Michelin Man?

5 years of high dosing. 60mg a day. It cost me a left hip too. It turns your bones to junk.

 

[ponygirlmom]

5 years of high dosing. 60mg a day. It cost me a left hip too. It turns your bones to junk.

OMG! Did it at least help what it was supposed to help?