A Weighty Issue

[cydpink]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone else is having problems with their weight?
Mine has been creeping up and I'm now a dress size larger, over the past year, yet I haven't changed my diet!

I take Amitritlyine (sorry I have a feeling I mis-spelt that) and Gabepentin and only started these a few months ago, I wonder if there is a connection or if anyone else has any ideas?

If you say give up chocolate I'm liable to get volient (only kiddling x)

Big hugs
x

[kris_tin29]

They've found no cause as of yet.  There is a percentage of these cases that are "idiopathic" (no known cause) and I think that's what they're thinking with mine.  However, since I have other issues, I did ask them to look a little further.  I had some more blood tests, but nothing has turned up.

I've never heard of using botox to treat this-I'll have to do some research.  I see my gastroentrologist in a couple months and I'm sure we'll discuss my progress and other tx options if needed.

Can you switch GPs??  It sounds like you really should see a specialist.  This condition can be life threatening if you eat the wrong things and get a bezoar.  I would demand a consultation with a specialist.

I've lost about 15 pounds now since I started the special diet.  Cutting out all that fat and eating smaller meals really dropped off the weight.  But, I had it to lose.  

Kristin

[cydpink]

Hi
just wondering if they had found a cause for your gastroparesis?

I saw another Dr the other day and he put it down to a MUC - Medically Unexplained Condition!
I wasn't aware there had to be a cause for every condition, I'm sure they can't find a cause or link with many of the awful conditions people live with, but I was made to feel that because they couldn't find a connection somehow false, as if I had made it up somehow or that it should be something they could explain!

Have they ever offered any treatment other than oral medications?
When I was first dx and seen by a specialist he said Botox might help or there are surgical options.  Unforunately I have a GP that refuses to send me to a specialist anymore and I've not been seen by anyone in about 8 years.

I too haven't lost weight because of this conditon, but it looks like its the Gabepentin that is causing my weight gain, but I don't want to stop because of the pain.

Big hugs to all
x

Hope you are having a good weekend

[sweetwoman23]

Hello

I have also stomach problems,sometimes extreme nausea which feels like vomiting but there is nothing coming out then.

And I often have a nervous stomach....

But I think that is a little bit different to your problem..

yours sweetwoman :0)

[kris_tin29]

@sweetwoman23:  As far as I know, Gastroparesis affects the stomach only and not the rest of the digestive tract or colon.  it is when the stomach muscles do not contract at all or do not contract properly.  I am not an expert though.  To get diagnosed they do a gastric emptying study or mine was diagnosed by endoscopy.  I had a stomach full of undigested food after fasting for 12 hours.  a typical stomach is empty after 1 1/2-3 hours.

The symptoms are vomitting undigested food, fullness, weight loss, etc.  I had major fullness.  I woke up feeling full.  I vomitted only rarely and did not lose weight, though.  My stomach was so huge I looked pregnant and I was having trouble breathing because I was so full.  This went on for a year before I finally got a dx.  They just kept saying I had IBS.

Hope this helps.
Kristin

[sweetwoman23]

@kristina

Thanks for information..

Is ist also a kind of gastroparesis when you have obstipation and a slow colon digestion although a good nutrition and enough movement?

[kris_tin29]

Hi!  I really don't know anyone with Gastroparesis either.  I keep looking for recipes online and they're hard to find.  I've been able to alter quite a few though and I'm doing okay with all the diet changes.  I am on the low fat/low fiber diet and I take erithromycin 4 times a day-I couldn't tolerate the reglan.  My Doctor looked into possible connections between it and my other symptoms but hasn't found anything conclusive so far.  From the research I have done, gastroparesis is lnked with many brain disorders and autoimmune.  They keep checking my ANA for autoimmune probs, but it comes back normal every time.

Sweetwoman23:  It is a condition where your stomach doesn't work properly.  Gastroparesis literally means paralyzed stomach.  The stomach is a muscle that contracts to pulverize food an push it into the small intestine.  With gastroparesis, it doesn't contract at all or doesn't contract properly so the food just sits in your stomach.  This can lead to all sorts of problems such as bacteria from the food just sitting there and bezoars-hardened masses of food that don't break down and can be life threatening if it blocks the intestine.  There is no cure.  The treatment is a strict lowfat and low fiber diet.  No raw fruit, veggies and no whole grain.  Nothing high in fat and only certain cooked fruit/veggies are allowed.  There are also a couple meds that can be used shortterm, but they often have a lot of side effects.  The mayo clinic website has good info on this condition.

[sweetwoman23]

Hello cydpink

What does gastroparesis mean?

yours sweetwoman :0)

[bigbird1976]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in 2002 so ask any questions you like..and have been living with it..
I struggle to keep on weight but have found a formula such as Ensure PLUS helps alot with nutrition..
Not sure if related but has progressed to autonomic neuropathy.. In introduce yourself read my story bigbird76

send me messages anytime Helen

[cydpink]

Hi guys

thanks to everyone who replied, it's nice not to feel so alone.

I finally took courage and read the side-effect on my box of Gabepentin and yes 'weight gain' is listed among a long list of other things including 'anorexia' talk about covering your back!

After emptying most of my summer wardrobe to the local charity shop because it didn't fit I thought well at least I can go shopping.

And now I'm going to the fridge to get a little bar of chocolate x

[cydpink]

Hi
wow, I couldn't beleive it - I've finally 'met' someone who has a dx of gastroparesis!
I was dx (after a few years struggle and some yucky tests) about 10 years ago.

I hope that you manage to get some help and some good meds to help with the symptoms, be interested to see what you options are as I've been completely dropped by my doctors, I haven't seen a specialist since I was dx and when I asked my GP for a referral he refused!

Sorry know this is meant for other medical conditions but I was so surprised to see another person with my condition x

Hugs

[Queenfan]

I've gained about 50 extra pounds in a year; mostly due to lack of mobility like I used to have.  I run out of energy w/in the first 4 minutes of doing anything.  Housework has been severely lacking, so have outside chores.  My back constantly burns and my legs don't like to work after a bit.  So.... no movement (the 'on purpose' kind of moving around) has lead to my gaining so much weight.  I'd like to think I'll lose it again sometime, but I also have herniated discs in my lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis as well.  

S.

[sweetwoman23]

Hello

I am more the small and tiny person with 5.5 feet (about 166 cm) and 115 lbs (52 kg in my country)

I also love sweet things and sometimes even need them very fast and in big amount for some days...
But I also eat them because I like it,I think I eat a lot of sugary things (fruits,bread,rice,potatoes,sweets,chocolate *mhhm)
It`s good news to hear that chocolate could be healthy. :)

I have no weight problems and my weight is quite stable (I need a month or longer of overeating just for fun and in a big amount to gain one kilogramm (don`t know in pounds))

But when I have some days where my appetite is not so good I lose it again (but  not more than about 1 kg)

Most of the time I eat normally.

Funny thing but I am quite happy with my weight and appearance..
But I sometimes wonder where the sugary things end up in my body,I never have diarrheas (but often constipation), I don`t **** of extremely,don`t vomit and it also doesn`t go into extra weight?

I hope that you can manage your weight problems and send you best wishes :)

[StormyRenee]

I am the total opposite....I got down to about 98lbs at one point during all my weirdness... Now I am back up to a healthy weight.But I have to eat like an absolutle piggy to stay there.....My metabolism seems to be in overdrive....But my thyroid and all the obvious culprits checked out ok .My new Rheumy ordered  specific metabolic testing to see why.....


Take Care...
Theresa.....

[jibjen]

Hi bonx, I'm with you. Although I am not on any medications, my doc weened me off my Topomax which I lost a ton of weight on and now it is creeping back..Getting dressed in the morning is pathetic...I too have about 3 pairs of pants that noww fit me..I am doing the same thing as you binx and waiting for my weight to be normal when I feel better...I keep telling myself it is a "phase"..Too bad we don't live closer.....We could go shopping together ;o)

Be well
(Chubs) Jibby

[illinwithoutacause]

i have 3 pair of pants left that fit me as i have put on one pound of weight for every month i have been sick.  i have been reluctant to buy new clothes since i keep thinking i'm going to get better and start moving around again.  

i guess i should probably just buy some new pants.

binx

[kris_tin29]

I think I gained weight on the Gabapentin as well.  If I remember right, it is one of the side effects.  Before that, I had gained quite a bit of weight all at once and I really didn't think I had changed much about my diet either.  My dontors don't ever seem to think much of it when I mention it.

Now I'm losing though due to the gastroparesis dx and major diet change I've had to make.

Kristin

[silkcut]

Oh blimey, NOOOO! Don't take my chocolate away from me!!!

Anyway, they've proved it now...eating chocolate prolongs your life! Oh YEEESSS.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/12/17/health/main25510.shtml

My weight's bumbled up a bit this last year. That's mainly because I'm not keeping an eye on what I'm eating so much. Too much butter and cheese and porage (I love porage! It's the scottish genes..) and snacking.

Also, I think for me at least when I'm feeling down I lose interest in watching my calorie intake. Normally I find it easy- I have a great diet formula which works wonders when I'm motivated.

I don't take any meds but baby aspirin so I don't know about drug induced weight gain. I'm sure it's a big factor with many drugs.

Hey,maybe we should have a thread here for serious dieters to encourage each other? I'd join!

hugs
sammxx