Weight Gain - Fibromyalgia Message Board

MuffinL · 02-20-2008, 09:48 AM

Hello! This is my first post but I have been a silent reader for the last month. I suffer from Fibro and have had a cervical fusion, tarsal tunnel release and patella realignment surgery all in the last year and a half. The pain and Fibro flare ups have been quite a challenge. My current obsession right now is my weight. Due to the drugs, inability to walk and the bordom that causes overeating I have gained weight and weigh the most I ever have. It is really causing me great anxiety. I am walking on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike everyday and watching what I eat but I am not losing a pound. Help! Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

sherryrenee0423 · 02-20-2008, 10:19 AM

Are you on Lyrica? This medication can make gaining weight very easy and then losing it very hard. After my doctor put me on it I started eating extremely healthy and lifting weight and doing yoga and I have gained a few pounds...even though I don't eat junk food. I just think certain meds make us gain a little.

kate26444 · 02-20-2008, 11:49 AM

I had surgery..fusion three years ago. I know what you're going through. Did you ever try Weight Watchers or Atkins? I had more success with Atkins but loved going to WW meetings and being with all the other girls. It gets you out of the house if nothing else. If you are a big time carb eater, Atkins may be hard to follow. I bought the book and followed Atkins. The first two weeks are so hard but once you get through it and actually see weight coming off it's exciting. I lost 42 pounds on Atkins after my surgery within only 3 or 4 months. I didn't crave carbs after I lived through the first two weeks. I had eggs and cheese for breakfast, a big salad with chicken or some sort of protein, and the same with more cooked veggies for dinner. You can snack on beef sticks and string cheese in the evening and even have ranch dressing on your salad. It's easy to follow because most places carry salads with chicken and ranch dressing.
I've been on Lyrica for my fibro for several months now and have gained about five pounds. But, I've been eating like a truck driver. I really can't blame it on the Lyrica. It gets boring in the winter, hee, hee! Then there was all the Valentine candy!
Next week I'm going to rid my house of all the chips and carbs (it's a must if you want to make it through the first two weeks) and stock up on low carb snacks and food. Then I'm starting Atkins again. I'm telling you...it really works. My daughter in-law cannot do it because she just has to have cereal in the morning and hates eggs. Don't beat yourself up too much. You've been through a lot and it takes time for your body to heal. It sounds like you're getting active. When springtime comes, you'll naturally become more active and lose a few pounds...plus, you'll be feeling better by then. Good luck! Kate

Backinthesaddle · 02-21-2008, 07:58 AM

I suggest Nutri Systems. I had a stubborn few pounds that didnt want to come off and they did. Now that said...Toss out all the junk food in the house. Fill the house with fruits and veggies. When the hunger strikes get some of that flavored water and drink it up. Eat carrots and celery sticks. I know that some cannot work out and exercise so eating is very important. Also eat 5-6 times a day. Keep a journal of what you eat and get a calorie counter book. Keep track of calories and carbs. We can only blame medicines so much. It is also our responsibility. I ate enough too also gain weight but have got back on track. I take 325mg of Lyrica and it does not cause me to gain weight. But eating as often as I do I rarely go hungry. Don't get me wrong everyday I eat mini chocolates everyday to solve that urge. All you can do is what you can do. Give yourself a break...

Glojer · 02-21-2008, 01:32 PM

Welcome Muffin. Sometimes when we have traumas to our bodies, like surgery or illness, our thyroid goes a little haywire. Thyroid problems can also go hand in hand with fibro. If you are hypothyroid that would help you gain weight and keep you from losing it effectively. I have a very difficult time losing weight and I finally have my thyroid numbers where I think they are good. The only time I lost weight without really trying was when my thyroid numbers were very hyperthyroid and then it prevented me from falling asleep even with all the sleep meds I take. Couldn't keep that up, but I did like it.

Sometimes our metabolism just gets messed up from all our meds and up and down dieting and no matter what we do we can't get it speeded up. There are ways to help it work a little better and I intend to search them out as soon as I have time.....giggle! My advice for what it is worth is find a diet or eating plan that works well for you, one that fits into your lifestyle so you don't have to work so hard to follow it. Just really adopt a healthy way to eat. Don't give up on the exercise no matter what you eat, eventually as you build muscle (you will gain weight as you build muscle) and the muscle burns more fat and your weight goes down you will speed your metabolism up and then it will be easier. I wish I could say it will be easy but I have been struggling for years. I can look back and see progress now but it was discouraging at first. Never give up!

By the way, get on the thyroid board and learn all you can about your thyroid and numbers so when you have the test done you will get a copy of the bloodwork and know what is going on instead of taking a docs word for it.

Glojer