tutti-fruti
09-08-2008, 03:22 AM
i have read on several occasions in this forum that quite a few people here have gained considerable weight which presumably was due to their fibromyalgia condition. I do not understand why a person should put on weight because of fibro though. I've had this condition since 5 years and haven't gained any weight whatsoever unless of course i decide to pig out one day. But then pigging out sessions were an issue long before the fibro kicked in. I'm sure that we are all not as active as "normal" people and we certainly cannot run daily marathons, but then, weight is gained when a person over eats and overeating is not a symptom of fibromyalgia. Can somebody clarify this pls. Thanks.
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sweetjerseygirl
09-08-2008, 09:04 AM
Some of it is caused by the medication that they take. It is a side effect and says so on the warning lable. Not everyone takes the same medications. Have you ever had to take a steroid ? They will put weight on pretty easily if taken for a while.
You probably have a good metabolism, mine started slowing down at an early age, yet i was only a few years older than one of my skinniest friends ever and when we went out to eat she would finish everyone else's plate and never gain a pound. I could look at the leftovers of our other friends and gain weight. She' had two children and maintains the same weight as when we were in our twenties.
Some people just cant move like they used to like when they were healthy. So the brain gets confused as to why and it throws out the wrong messages.
If a person starves themselfves, then eats some food, the body will store the fat, thinking its starving ,so it stores.
There are many differnent reasons why a person could gain weight, its not always becuase someone is pigging out or over eating. Harmones, thyroid, etc.
I dont have a sweet tooth, i despise sugar but ever since i hit a certain age i crave some type of chocolate really bad around my period so i eat the dark chocolate which is suppossed to be good for you. If i dont get the chocolate, the craving will not stop ! still find it strange !
Some do not realize that its normal to gain some weight as we age, i love the skinny girl that stands in the mirror, in a bikini, pinches some skin and goes, "oh i cant believe im getting fat" !
Consider your blessings and realize this is a very delicate subject for some. I hope your not sparking some type of debate on this, why dont you do some research on the issue before raising it on the fibromyalgia board ?
But ok anyone else, feel free to run with it, she wants to clarify things here !
You probably have a good metabolism, mine started slowing down at an early age, yet i was only a few years older than one of my skinniest friends ever and when we went out to eat she would finish everyone else's plate and never gain a pound. I could look at the leftovers of our other friends and gain weight. She' had two children and maintains the same weight as when we were in our twenties.
Some people just cant move like they used to like when they were healthy. So the brain gets confused as to why and it throws out the wrong messages.
If a person starves themselfves, then eats some food, the body will store the fat, thinking its starving ,so it stores.
There are many differnent reasons why a person could gain weight, its not always becuase someone is pigging out or over eating. Harmones, thyroid, etc.
I dont have a sweet tooth, i despise sugar but ever since i hit a certain age i crave some type of chocolate really bad around my period so i eat the dark chocolate which is suppossed to be good for you. If i dont get the chocolate, the craving will not stop ! still find it strange !
Some do not realize that its normal to gain some weight as we age, i love the skinny girl that stands in the mirror, in a bikini, pinches some skin and goes, "oh i cant believe im getting fat" !
Consider your blessings and realize this is a very delicate subject for some. I hope your not sparking some type of debate on this, why dont you do some research on the issue before raising it on the fibromyalgia board ?
But ok anyone else, feel free to run with it, she wants to clarify things here !
Moonlady
09-08-2008, 10:18 AM
I have put on weight since my fibro started... Mine is not caused by medication.
I think there are a few things involved that has caused it.
First, as sweetjersey girl said, my metabolism is not what it used to be, I am 44 and I think they call that the middle age spread... LOL
2nd, I am not as active as I used to be because I have muscle fatigue pretty bad so I can't work out or move as quickly as I used to. I used to power walk everywhere I went, now I have to walk slowly.
3rd I had some bad IBS symptoms. I can imagine the IBS is the main cause of my weight gain. Not having a bowel movement for a week at a time is sure to cause some weight gain. Most of my gain is in my stomach.
I have a friend that lost a LOT of weight with Fibro so everyone IS affected differently.
I think there are a few things involved that has caused it.
First, as sweetjersey girl said, my metabolism is not what it used to be, I am 44 and I think they call that the middle age spread... LOL
2nd, I am not as active as I used to be because I have muscle fatigue pretty bad so I can't work out or move as quickly as I used to. I used to power walk everywhere I went, now I have to walk slowly.
3rd I had some bad IBS symptoms. I can imagine the IBS is the main cause of my weight gain. Not having a bowel movement for a week at a time is sure to cause some weight gain. Most of my gain is in my stomach.
I have a friend that lost a LOT of weight with Fibro so everyone IS affected differently.
1sunny1
09-08-2008, 11:31 AM
I just want to say Thank You Sweetjerseygirl! I still walk 3 miles a day, of course that is not as far as I used to walk, and I also used to run. Thanks to FMS and the medication, I have gained weight, which I am not proud of but the pain is almost gone, I take the meds over the weight any day!
Sunny
Sunny
fibrohurts
09-08-2008, 12:19 PM
Everyone's fibro is different, just because you are able to maintain your weight doesn't mean everyone else can.
You're able to exercise a lot of people with fibro are in too much pain to do that.
Also, depression and depression meds. cause weight gain.
You're able to exercise a lot of people with fibro are in too much pain to do that.
Also, depression and depression meds. cause weight gain.
lynn41
09-08-2008, 06:12 PM
i have read on several occasions in this forum that quite a few people here have gained considerable weight which presumably was due to their fibromyalgia condition. I do not understand why a person should put on weight because of fibro though. I've had this condition since 5 years and haven't gained any weight whatsoever unless of course i decide to pig out one day. But then pigging out sessions were an issue long before the fibro kicked in. I'm sure that we are all not as active as "normal" people and we certainly cannot run daily marathons, but then, weight is gained when a person over eats and overeating is not a symptom of fibromyalgia. Can somebody clarify this pls. Thanks.
Is this a serious post? :confused: No one "puts on weight" because of fibro. We put on weight as a result of what fibro does to our body ... because we have daily pain and try different meds to treat the pain and those meds have side effects (read the labels if you doubt) ... because we can't jog those 3/4 miles a day we did a few years ago before the fibro settled in our bodies ... because we have hit a certain age and the metabolism slows down ... because we have had other health problems that inhibit our ability to maintain that level of exercise as before ... because we are so darn tired and we don't have enough energy to exercise after a full day of commute, work, kids, chores, etc.
"Weight is gained when a person over eats" ... if only it was that simple. What an incredibly simplistic view you have. It must be nice to live in your world. :dizzy:
Is this a serious post? :confused: No one "puts on weight" because of fibro. We put on weight as a result of what fibro does to our body ... because we have daily pain and try different meds to treat the pain and those meds have side effects (read the labels if you doubt) ... because we can't jog those 3/4 miles a day we did a few years ago before the fibro settled in our bodies ... because we have hit a certain age and the metabolism slows down ... because we have had other health problems that inhibit our ability to maintain that level of exercise as before ... because we are so darn tired and we don't have enough energy to exercise after a full day of commute, work, kids, chores, etc.
"Weight is gained when a person over eats" ... if only it was that simple. What an incredibly simplistic view you have. It must be nice to live in your world. :dizzy:
Moonlady
09-08-2008, 06:53 PM
Well said Lynn41!
I guarantee my weight gain is NOT from overeating. In fact, everyone else that I eat with eats 3 x more than I do during a meal. I barely get three bites in of each course and I feel stuffed and then I am through, that is all I eat. It shocks most people to see how much I really don't eat.
I guarantee my weight gain is NOT from overeating. In fact, everyone else that I eat with eats 3 x more than I do during a meal. I barely get three bites in of each course and I feel stuffed and then I am through, that is all I eat. It shocks most people to see how much I really don't eat.
kirstee
09-08-2008, 06:59 PM
Muscle biopsies in FMS patients have shown up to 80 percent fewer mitochondria in their bodies (compared to well-toned athletes). Lacking a full complement of mitochondria leaves FMS-ers with fewer food-burning stations to eat up calories. Insulin to the rescue: if you don't burn it, store it; and fat cells are very accommodating.
The best way to keep off weight when you have FMS is to eat a low-carbohydrate diet, combined with excercise. The exercise helps create mitochondria, which will replenish energy stores and stamina. Easier said than done when you are feeling very tired. Through grit and determination, this can be accomplished in order to feel better.
Bye!
Kirstee :D
The best way to keep off weight when you have FMS is to eat a low-carbohydrate diet, combined with excercise. The exercise helps create mitochondria, which will replenish energy stores and stamina. Easier said than done when you are feeling very tired. Through grit and determination, this can be accomplished in order to feel better.
Bye!
Kirstee :D
lynn41
09-08-2008, 08:28 PM
Well said Lynn41!
I guarantee my weight gain is NOT from overeating. In fact, everyone else that I eat with eats 3 x more than I do during a meal. I barely get three bites in of each course and I feel stuffed and then I am through, that is all I eat. It shocks most people to see how much I really don't eat.
Moonlady - I'm right there with you. I eat ONE meal a day, and try to eat salads, etc. while my friends eat a full meal three times a day. I snack on yogurt, peanut butter, etc. but I'm still way heavier than they are. No wonder I get a little worked up over this issue. :)
I guarantee my weight gain is NOT from overeating. In fact, everyone else that I eat with eats 3 x more than I do during a meal. I barely get three bites in of each course and I feel stuffed and then I am through, that is all I eat. It shocks most people to see how much I really don't eat.
Moonlady - I'm right there with you. I eat ONE meal a day, and try to eat salads, etc. while my friends eat a full meal three times a day. I snack on yogurt, peanut butter, etc. but I'm still way heavier than they are. No wonder I get a little worked up over this issue. :)
1stBlush
09-09-2008, 12:08 AM
Tutti Fruitie:
I apologize for my newly acquired quick temper.
I apologize for my newly acquired quick temper.
tutti-fruti
09-09-2008, 02:51 AM
waw some people got really terribly offended here and even became rude ! It was not my intention to offend anyone. cool down and relax. I am 50 years old, my metabolism is certainly slower than it used to be, i am on medications and when i eat i gain weight when i don't i don't gain weight, and this is the general rule. i don't have the same body i had when i was 25 years old obviously but i haven't become obese either. I was talking about gaining weight FROM FIBROMYALGIA and NOT from other types of health issues and life losses which i haven't been immune either, by the way. fibromyalgia requires (1) pain medications (and not steroids, i.e. cortisone) - pain medications do not cause weight gain and (2) anti-depressants which do cause gaining SOME weight - but not becoming totally obese. This is the treatment of fibromyalgia which of course EXCLUDES other conditions which might make you gain weight. i was talking about fibro only, this was my question, who gained weight from fibromyalgia.
1sunny1
09-09-2008, 10:52 AM
( - pain medications do not cause weight gain and (2) anti-depressants which do cause gaining SOME weight - but not becoming totally obese. This is the treatment of fibromyalgia which of course EXCLUDES other conditions which might make you gain weight. i was talking about fibro only, this was my question, who gained weight from fibromyalgia.[/QUOTE])
Wrong again, I assume you do not know too much about Fibromyalgia and its medications. The main medication for FMS is Lyrica, and it does make you gain weight, if you read the side affects, it is clearly one of them, and I am a testimony to that!
I think maybe you better quit while you are ahead.
Sunny
Wrong again, I assume you do not know too much about Fibromyalgia and its medications. The main medication for FMS is Lyrica, and it does make you gain weight, if you read the side affects, it is clearly one of them, and I am a testimony to that!
I think maybe you better quit while you are ahead.
Sunny
Paddy55
09-09-2008, 11:17 AM
Let's take away the question of meds. Say I have fibro and take no meds. I can guarantee that during the confusion and chaos of the fibro getting worse while I'm struggling to get a diagnosis, I will gain weight. It is not the disease, but the life changes that occur as a result of the disease. And it definitely is not from eating too much. It's not playing soccer every weekend. Then not walking every day like you used to. Then resting more because it's the only way you can be productive in your daily activities. All of these things slow down the metabolism, and while eating the same way as before (and sometimes even less), the calories are not being burned away.
Then, once we add meds to that, and many of them have the documented, research-based side effect of adding weight, absolutely, it's going to result in weight gain.
Interesting thread Tutti! I could not resist "weighing in". ;)
Wishing you all peace and comfort,
Paddy
Then, once we add meds to that, and many of them have the documented, research-based side effect of adding weight, absolutely, it's going to result in weight gain.
Interesting thread Tutti! I could not resist "weighing in". ;)
Wishing you all peace and comfort,
Paddy
lynn41
09-09-2008, 11:49 AM
Again, fibro in and of itself does not cause weight gain. I have never heard anyone who truly has fibro even say that. What I've always heard is the weight gain is a result of a combination of variables including, fatigue, pain, meds, etc., all of which are brought on by the fibro monster.
If you have fibro and are lucky enough to stay thin, have energy to exercise and maintain a job, take care of kids, your house, yard, etc. - then you truly are lucky.
If you have fibro and are lucky enough to stay thin, have energy to exercise and maintain a job, take care of kids, your house, yard, etc. - then you truly are lucky.
tutti-fruti
09-10-2008, 02:58 AM
thanks for your replies Paddy and Lynn. fibromyalgia is too tough and a very sad condition. If i added being fat and/or obese to this equation then really i would be much more miserable than I actually am. My self-esteem has gone down the drain for the past 5 years, I feel worthless sometimes, I feel I am worth nothing because my body and fatigue torture me to tears. My head works negatively all the time and now I have decided to see a psychotherapist for cognitive behavioral therapy. I've only been to him 4 times so I can't say big words about it yet, but i have a feeling that it will help me in the long run. Wish I had decided to do this at the beginning of this pitiful ordeal. I'm a working woman for the past 32 years, non-stop. My outside image is important for me, because the inside one is totally rotten since fibro hit me. I've stayed away from many medications (such as Lyrica) because the side effects are tremendous on a fragile organism such as mine. I try to minimize and bite the bullet as much as i can. Take care all of you girls and many kisses from Greece.
Paddy55
09-10-2008, 09:49 AM
Tutti - you are not this disease - it is rotten, miserable, nasty and just plain torture. You are not. :)
It is a very positive thing you are doing for yourself, going for CB therapy. Learning new ways to look at things is really important.
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy
It is a very positive thing you are doing for yourself, going for CB therapy. Learning new ways to look at things is really important.
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy