"Ilness" related question...

KiriKiriKiri
KiriKiriKiri Posts: 227 Member
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, so last year during my heaviest point I was diagnosed with meningitis. During that time I completely lost my appetite and lost about 15 lbs... of course that was aok with me :)

So I have lost all of my weight and am currently within my healthy weight range, healthy BMI, etc. I have not been sick since since last year. Of course, I was diagnosed this past week with meningitis again, viral. (They aren't sure why I keep getting it as this is the 3rd time. Off topic, but whatever). Ok, so this time around I opted to manage at home on heavy duty pain medication. My appetite is pretty ferocious which is atypical for me when I am sick...

Obviously I am not really concerned about weight gain since my main focus is getting well. Has anyone else experienced increased appetite with narcotics? Or is this more likely due to just a change in my body (since this is the first time I have been sick at a healthy weight)?

Thanks!

Replies

  • poisonapple
    poisonapple Posts: 30 Member
    I have had 2 back injuries which have left me on bed rest and TONS of different meds. I have learned that the change in my eating habits only seem to come from my mental state as opposed to medicine. Being laid up for as long as I was I got depressed for a period of time and gained a TON of weight. After my surgery when I felt better (but still on narcotics) I dropped weight immediately as my mood improved. Same thing the second time, when I got hurt I was on meds but still able to move around and do stuff so weight stayed the same. After a few months of the pain worsening I started to get depressed again and eating like crazy.
    The appetite change COULD be your body reacting to medicine but your mind is a very powerful and tricky bugger! Just to clarify, I am in NO WAY implying that you are clinically depressed or anything like that, I am just saying that just being bummed out (or stressed out) is enough for your body to go all wacky. If this illness is at all a concern, which I am assuming it is, I would imagine it is putting a fair amount of stress on you and feeling ill on top of that is no help at all! I wish you well and hope you feel better really soon!
  • KiriKiriKiri
    KiriKiriKiri Posts: 227 Member
    Wow, sorry to hear that you went through all of that!!! That sounds wretched!!! Yeah, I am definitely bummed about being laid up and having to deal with this, who wouldn't be, right?! I wasn't sure if it was the meds or not... once I got the meds on board my stomach has been growling non-stop. I don't really have the energy or drive to eat, but I have an appetite if that makes sense. I am not really a stress eater, although that's not to say that isn't what is causing my hunger. Hmmm.... just wondering if it was a side effect that anyone else has experienced. I guess the difference for me is that this time around I am on the same medication, it is just oral and not iv....
  • iguanaliz
    iguanaliz Posts: 95 Member
    Yup! My gyno put me on prometrium to control symptoms of fibroids. Dear lord! I take it 12 days a month. By day 2, I am starving 24/7. I also gain 5-8 pounds, even when I don't give in to the munchies. I have decided that the symptom relief is not worth it. I won't be taking this any more. I have that option, though. Can't imagine being in your situation.
  • ssmom
    ssmom Posts: 128 Member
    sounds like you got the "munchies"!!! Good luck with that. Are you supposed to eat with the meds? Sometimes that makes a difference too.
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