Uncontrollable weight gain

[acricket67]

About a year and a half ago I began having episodes where my legs would swell and my body would actually take on the look of a no neck, rounded shoulder, line backer.  After a few days it would subside but I would be left with an extra 5 or 10 lbs.  
As the episodes continued, I felt the need to go on a diet.  Nothing worked! My weight watchers coach basically accused me of lying about sticking to the program because I actually gained while I was on the plan.  
My legs and feet are now constantly swollen and I am in constant pain.  I have pitted edema.  I have been to every specialist under the sun and every test indicates I am in perfect health.  Finally I found a doctor who believed me and found that I suffered from hypothyroid.  He prescribed medication and got my levels where he wanted, he said I had fibromyalgia and scheduled our next appt for 6 mos.  That was several weeks ago and the problem is my  pitted edema remains and I keep gaining weight, 150lbs to be specific.  Shouldn't I have seen some relief by now?

[jemma116]

I subscribe to WebMD and they post me information with what is new with regard to diets and medications.

The information with regard to the fruit consumption is by
Dr. Steve - RealDose Nutrition

It does say that eating the whole fruit is better because of the fibre, but does recommend the amount to be limited if someone has a problem with shifting their weight.

I am not able to provide you with the link, as I have just this morning received a message from MedHelp regarding posting links to other sites.  This is not permitted as part of their policy.

[Anonymouse88]

Could you link to that report?  (PM if need be)  Energy metabolism is quite complex.  I can believe that large amounts of fructose in the form of high fructose corn syrup is bad in this way, but eating the whole fruit should be fine.  If you eat the whole thing, you get all the fiber along with it, which helps fill you up.  If you just drink fruit juice, it's comparable to drinking soda in terms of the sugar consumption, and it's not nearly as filling.  Cutting out anything that has high fructose corn syrup as a top ingredient will probably do a lot more for you from a weight loss perspective.

[jemma116]

Because you have an underactive thyroid gland it will be difficult for you to lose weight, but it can be done.

I went to WW and gave up last year.
I have just read a report regarding a study about fruit.

It says that if you are doing everything you can and still cannot lose weight, then to reduce the amount of fruit you eat to a maximum of 3 or less.  This is because fruit contains fructose which is not broken down as quickly as glucose that the liver sends to feed our muscles.  Instead the fructose is turned into fat.  Apparently according to the study, when you eat fruit with fat it is stored quicker as fat.  

It goes on to say that with eating a lot of fruit and not losing weight it is likely that there is an insulin intolerance.

I am glucose intolerant, and never thought about, I love my fruit, but must admit that I haven't been eating any fruit over this last week and have now lost some weight.  I wish I were your weight of 150, I weigh 259 lbs.  I lost nearly 42 lbs with weight watchers, but put it all back on again.  I am now doing it myself.

Hope you get sorted soon as it is so uncomfortable and painful with puffy legs.  

Best wishes

[acricket67]

Thank you so much.  I am noting all of this and scheduling another appointment just to discuss what I have learned here.  There were 4 comments when I looked and each one taught me something

[jemma116]

My aunty who is 67 has an underactive thyroid gland.  She does not suffer from high blood pressure.  Despite her arthritic joints she walks everywhere and has joined a gym.  Since last year when her husband died she has lost weight.

I suffer from high blood pressure, my thryroid levels are normal and I do not have high cholestral levels.

Celery, cucumber, dandelion coffee, normal coffee and tea are diuretic.
Bendroflumenthiazide is a diuret prescribed only by the doctor.

As your legs are swollen, it may help you to moisturise them as well as following  the previous advice given.

Just thought another possibility of painful swollen legs could be from phlebitis (inflamation of the veins).

I suggest you go back to your doctor to help with the swollen leg problem.

[Anonymouse88]

Ask your doctor about taking a diuretic (Lasix is an example).  They might decide it's a bad idea, but it could help with the edema.  Check out getting pressure stockings as well.  They compress your feet and legs to prevent swelling.  You also shouldn't stand still for long periods of time if you can help it, and try to prop your feet up when you sit down.  Gravity will help the fluid drain out of your legs.  At night, you could even try putting a pillow under your legs to elevate them.  The weight gain might be fluid retention--water weighs an awful lot, and it's really hard to put on fat fast enough to cause super rapid weight gain.  It could also be that your medication is too low.  An endocrinologist would definitely be a good doctor to see.

[jemma116]

Are you taking any other medications apart from you have been prescribed for your hypothyroid at all?  Like Ibuprofen for example?

The reason you were gaining the weight was because of the under active thyroid gland.  No you are on medication for this and it is being controlled, you should be able to lose weight slowly with being careful what you eat.  Make sure you still do some form of exericse like walking or swimming, that will help boost your metabolism and make it work faster.

With the swelling in your legs, you need to rest and elevate them higher.
Did your doctor check your blood pressure?

I suffered a bout of swollen and very itchy painful legs over the last few weeks.  My doctor told me to stop taking the Ibuprofen that I was taking for my arthritic pains because he said it can cause odema.  He also told me to stop taking my diuretic that I have to control my blood pressure.  

After two weeks I did see a big improvement, but my blood pressure was too high.  So I am back on my diuret 2mg of bedroflumenthiazide and my Perindopril and my legs and now pretty thin (sham about the rest of me).  They hurt from the arthritis though.

Did the doctor say anything to you about your swollen legs?  
It may be a lymph problem, infection (cellulitis), or fluid retention due to kidney or heart problems.

Make sure you take plenty of rests with your legs elevated.  Although you have the swelling in the legs, still make sure you do not get dehydrated and drink plenty of water, 2-3 litres is the recommend daily amount.

Best wishes

[Samson428]

I have thyroid issues.  Both siades have been surgically removed.  I have the edema, the rash, high blood pressure.  I am on Synthroid.  High Blood pressure goes with the thyroid problem.  Swelling goes with high blood pressure.  I would suggest you go to an endocrinologist.   Dr of medication. And make sure your myalgia is not from the medication.  Generic medication "fillers" can cause myalgia.  It is considered an adverse effect and can become permanent.  So check out all the possiblities. Thyroid problems I found can cause many different things if you are not on the correct dose.  High cholesterol, rash, insominia.  Heart problems.  I have been dealing with these problems since 1983.  My cholesterol went to 400.  They upped my thyroid meds, it dropped down below 200 just by doing that.  So, don't give up.  I went to an endocrinologist for the first 5 years after my surgery.  It can take awhile to get stabliized on thyroid medication.  Also, be sure to take it at the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.  And give it a half hour to work before eating or drinking.  Take it with a full glass of water.  Try to stay away from salt.  Swelling will get worse with a salt diet.  My legs swell, but the doctor says it is from my blood pressure meds.  I can't take water pills because I am allergic to sulfa.  I use a salt free diet.  It helps reduce the swelling.  When my thyroid problem began I went from 111 lbs to 144 lbs in less then 8 months.  I changed my whole diet.  I eat no more than the size of a deck of cards in meat, lots of vegetables and fruits.  My snack consists of dry cheerios.  I munch on those when I need something.  I walk everywhere.  Exercise is important.  Sad to say even with all the changes, I never lost any weight but I have been stablized at 145 for almost 10 years now.  I don't mind that weight.  I am 72 and if I get sick I figure I have something to fall back on, because when you have surgery or are sick you lose weight.   Good luck...