why did I gain so much so fast

kitticus15
kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello all, I am asking for serious opinions, not to be slated and told impossible...

twice now I have gained 21lbs in 3 weeks, yes I was gaining 1lb a day and no I was not eating 5000 calories a day when it happened...

I have tried to find out without any success why my body chooses to only lose weight under 1000 cals a day and gain if I eat over.

I have been on here for a long while now and have done all the checks, weighing food logging exact calories...

I have questioned my weight loss problems in the past just to be called a special snowflake...

All blood tests come back as normal that involve reasons to gain weight quickly...

I have discovered every few months my body quits with a nutrient, first in was b vitamins, we sorted that, then it was iron and we sorted that, now its vitamin D,

I really do want to understand why if I eat like you are supposed to why I gain weight and how the hell did I gain 21lbs in 3 weeks...

GP will not refer me to hospital to find out what is going on either... I asked and was told NO... but have since found out the NHS has restrictions on patient referrals...

Any reasonable advice on whats going on please, not insults and flat out being told eating too much

Replies

  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Since you already ruled out any potential medical problems, I think you should start here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    To be honest.... I would seek a second opinion.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    and a second scale.
  • Maryanne1923
    Maryanne1923 Posts: 53 Member
    To be honest.... I would seek a second opinion.

    This - can you ask to see a different doctor at your GP surgery?

    Also are you on any medication that could be causing weight gain? I know that quite a few medications list weight gain as a side effect. Some others also can cause water retention as can some medical conditions.

    Sorry you are having this frustrating experience.
  • krennie8
    krennie8 Posts: 301 Member
    To be honest.... I would seek a second opinion.

    ditto. And get your thyroid checked again. TSH, TPO ab, Free T3, Free T4.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    My first question is what are you weighing yourself on? How are you weighing yourself is it the same time of day etc. It is unlikely that you have actually put on 21 pounds in 3 weeks with out noticeable increase in food intake. SO how did you do your first weigh in and the one 3 weeks later were they at the same time of day on the same scales and are the scales consistent?. That weight gain doesn't come out of thin air so even if you had some metabolic disorder the physical weight has to come from somewhere or something.

    As for your GP if he really though that there was something that needed referring he would. He is under an obligation to do this. If you agree with his decision see another doctor in the practice.

    It would be useful if you opened your diary so we could see if there were obvious logging problems or obvious food groups you are missing
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    If you're really being honest, it has to be medical. Seek another doctor.

    Because if it isn't medical, you're simply eating, on average, 3500 calories over your BMR which you seem to know you are not.
  • jazzcatastrophe
    jazzcatastrophe Posts: 54 Member
    21 pounds in 3 weeks is definitely not fat gain, but is likely water retention. I would definitely go get a second opinion, as there are serious medical conditions that can cause that kind of water retention
  • ClareWantsProgress
    ClareWantsProgress Posts: 173 Member
    Are you going through menopause? I, too, suddenly put on a boatload of weight with no changes in my eating/exercising habits. It was quite startling how quickly the pounds piled on. I got my thyroid checked and other issues, and was basically told that due to the hormonal changes my body had completely altered its metabolism. I've had to make major, MAJOR changes to my diet and have finally after many months started slowly losing. Still have a crazy long way to go, though. I'm sorry that you are you going through this as I know firsthand how frustrating it is to be told that "what you're doing SHOULD be working." *sigh*.
  • jenmom2myboys
    jenmom2myboys Posts: 311 Member
    On your profile you state you are on meds which causes weight gain. So are you still on the meds or have you started new ones?
  • establishingaplace
    establishingaplace Posts: 301 Member
    You left out the part about being on meds that cause you to gain.

    There's your answer right there.

    If you're genuinely logging your calories and can't lose the weight you've gained, I would find a doctor who can help you a solution, whether alternative meds or an additional med that will help you shed the weight.

    If the meds are making you eat everything in sight, then you have to find a way to stop doing that.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I agree that you need to get a second opinion, especially since you are on medication.

    !,000 calories is low.
  • ottermotorcycle
    ottermotorcycle Posts: 654 Member
    I do not see how that can't be some kind of medical condition. Whether it's menopause, your meds, or some kind of disorder you have - it's definitely a medical problem. If your doctor can't help you, find a new one. Talk to your gyn about hormonal issues. Talk to a nutritionist if you can.

    That's an alarming amount of weight to gain all of a sudden and I don't think MFP can help you.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Menopause does not always cause weight gain. I've been menopausal for several months (confirmed via hormone tests) and I've had no trouble getting the weight off. In fact, I've had a fairly easy time of it and I'm now at a healthy weight. Weight loss was not always linear, but as long as I stayed within my calorie goals the trend was downward.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Kitti,

    Another thought: have you looked into food intolerance? A few years ago, I was feeling sick, fatigued, couldn't work out as much, gaining weight, went to the doctor and blood tests confirmed that I was fine. I picked up a book on food intolerance and discovered that my symptoms were the same as those of soy intolerance. I'd started drinking soy because I'm lactose intolerant.

    I cut out soy and, within a short time, my symptoms disappeared. The weight didn't come off right away, but I was able to exercise more and then started logging here at MFP.

    With me, I believe my fatigue from soy intolerance stopped me from working out like I used too, I was eating more than I thought, and therefore I gained weight.
  • AnabolicKyle
    AnabolicKyle Posts: 489 Member
    1-3lbs of fat
    4-10lbs of water weight
    8-15lbs of scale error


    edit you weighed yourself every single day for three weeks?
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Can you switch to a different GP?
  • gingersnap303
    gingersnap303 Posts: 20
    To be honest.... I would seek a second opinion.

    ditto. And get your thyroid checked again. TSH, TPO ab, Free T3, Free T4.

    This. Is there a way to get these tests under the NHS? I had a similar experience, I gained a massive amount of weight in the last 3-4 years, a bulk of it being in the last year. For me, it's mainly medical and I'm being treated by medication and a special Dr/RD prescribed diet.
  • janicelo1971
    janicelo1971 Posts: 823 Member
    your GP Is REFUSING to refer you for further assistance??? WTF!!!???? clearly you have a medical problem if your not taking in nutrients as you said....go to the ER or another doctor....NO ONE on here is going to be able to medically clear you....(assuming you know how to weigh food, weigh yourself...etc..)LOL.....Please find another doctor...:flowerforyou:
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I second everyone else's opinion. Seek another GP. I would also see a gyno. Some lady problems like fibroids and cysts can do that even when you are symptom free.
  • cpdiminish
    cpdiminish Posts: 84
    Rather than just treat the vitamin deficiencies, is anyone asking why you have the vitamin deficiencies in the first place?

    The ones you listed, iron, Bs, and D are common for those who are suffering from malabsorption or malnutrition issues.

    And though it may seem counterintuitive, there are some medical problems that could have you gaining weight and have malabsorption at the same time, such as gluten intolerance/celiac - problems that cause damage to the digestive tract.

    Unfortunately, because doctors aren't trained to look at nutrition as either the source of problems or the possible solution to them, they won't even know to look at food intolerances as a possible problem, and there are tons of them out there in addition to gluten.

    If blood tests showed hormone levels to be in a normal range, indicating that the thyroid isn't the problem, do some more research into what normal ranges are. Some doctors accept a much broader range despite more-recent research saying otherwise. And don't let your doctor just tell you everything is fine. Get your test results so that you can do your own research.
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    Thank you all, I have come off the anti depressants, (6 months ago) so hopefully they will be fully out of my system in the next few months.

    My aunt suffered with fybroids, she had a hysterectomy they were so bad.

    the only meds I actually take are my antihistamine as I react to my sweat when working out, and pain meds, also when I get given vitamins via the doc I take those... my pain meds are in transition at the moment, from cocodamol to tramadol as my MRI diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and not osteoarthritis, but doctors are still not referring me to rheumatologists...

    my thyroid was 1.19 last time it was checked... maybe it is menopausal as my mother started in her early 40's and took hrt so it lasted 20 years....


    am going to save up and go see a private doctor and see what they say, so sick of fighting the NHS to get treatment or diagnosed. I have stopped eating bread and feel a little better, my daughter had wheat allergies before she died and my father has milk intolerances, so maybe I am intolerant to stuff, will have to go get it checked myself...

    I am eating healthy foods so do noy understand why I am having trouble with nutrients...

    But again thanks for the tips and ideas to get checked..

    BTW, I was weighed daily on my scale first thing in morning after abulations in same place, them weekly on the same scale at gp...all I was told was oh well that can't be right it will settle down, 2 years later still the same weight and struggling to shift it...

    I weigh all my food on an electronic food scale so I know I am doing that right, I am not eating back all exercise calories... just a little p***** off that to lose weight I have to virtually starve myself...
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    barring the 2nd opinion on other issues why are you off your meds?

    I have family that suffer from "mental illness" and they don't get to go off meds...

    As for the 12lbs in 3 weeks highly doubtful this is either scale error, or water.

    As well since your diary is closed it's hard to really comment on intake...you say you weigh and log accurately but there are often times entries chosen are not correct.
  • kuolo
    kuolo Posts: 251 Member
    It's possible to put on weight extremely fast with meds. I put on 3 stone in 2 months from taking mirtazapine and depakote (plus 3 more meds but think those were the main culprits). It's happened 3 times now.

    And no it doesn't seem to magically come off again when you stop either! I guess they affect your body in some way and it takes time to normalise again.

    Vit D deficiency is common in winter, the sun is too weak for you to make any. Other vitamin deficiencies could be caused by diet or malabsorption but it's hard to know without seeing your diary. Some meds can also increase your needs for certain vitamins.

    I would say work out your tdee and eat at a small deficit from that, you will have to give it some time for your body to adjust but keep at it. You're not doing yourself any favours eating at 1000 cals, that alone will give you nutritional deficiencies and affect your mood. I'm in a similar situation to you and have lost 1 stone in 4 months doing this. Slow, but it is progress. If you can, exercise, it will help in so many ways. Good luck!
  • kuolo
    kuolo Posts: 251 Member
    barring the 2nd opinion on other issues why are you off your meds?

    I have family that suffer from "mental illness" and they don't get to go off meds...

    As for the 12lbs in 3 weeks highly doubtful this is either scale error, or water.

    As well since your diary is closed it's hard to really comment on intake...you say you weigh and log accurately but there are often times entries chosen are not correct.

    Not everyone with a mental illness is the same!!!!

    And it's pretty common to change meds as they stop working or have intolerable side effects or you are no longer in crisis. I don't know anyone who's been on the same dose and combination of meds forever.

    ETA: and yes massive fast weight gain on meds is totally possible.

    And meds are not the only solution to mental illness. .. and not all mental illness is medicable... and people can choose what meds they take unless they are on a CTO or under section. It is nowhere near as black and white as you want to think and it's really none of your business why she had stopped this particular drug.
  • rebalee8
    rebalee8 Posts: 161 Member
    barring the 2nd opinion on other issues why are you off your meds?

    I have family that suffer from "mental illness" and they don't get to go off meds...

    As for the 12lbs in 3 weeks highly doubtful this is either scale error, or water.

    As well since your diary is closed it's hard to really comment on intake...you say you weigh and log accurately but there are often times entries chosen are not correct.

    Not everyone with a mental illness is the same!!!!

    And it's pretty common to change meds as they stop working or have intolerable side effects or you are no longer in crisis. I don't know anyone who's been on the same dose and combination of meds forever.

    ETA: and yes massive fast weight gain on meds is totally possible.

    Also, it's perfectly possible to be successfully treated for depression and no longer need antidepressants.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    barring the 2nd opinion on other issues why are you off your meds?

    I have family that suffer from "mental illness" and they don't get to go off meds...

    As for the 12lbs in 3 weeks highly doubtful this is either scale error, or water.

    As well since your diary is closed it's hard to really comment on intake...you say you weigh and log accurately but there are often times entries chosen are not correct.

    Not everyone with a mental illness is the same!!!!

    And it's pretty common to change meds as they stop working or have intolerable side effects or you are no longer in crisis. I don't know anyone who's been on the same dose and combination of meds forever.

    ETA: and yes massive fast weight gain on meds is totally possible.

    And meds are not the only solution to mental illness. .. and not all mental illness is medicable... and people can choose what meds they take unless they are on a CTO or under section. It is nowhere near as black and white as you want to think and it's really none of your business why she had stopped this particular drug.

    and what does this have to do with the OPs question???

    Going off meds perscribed is a viable question as far as the weight loss goes as it has (based on what the OP said in her profile) caused weight gain...esp if another was perscribed ...

    If you want to chastize me for a question I asked about meds based on what she wrote on her profile which is public try a private message instead of hijacking a thread for your own rant.
    2. No Hi-Jacking, Trolling, or Flame-baiting

    Please stay on-topic in an existing thread, and post new threads in the appropriate forum. Taking a thread off-topic is considered hi-jacking. Please either contribute politely and constructively to a topic, or move on without posting. This includes posts that encourage the drama in a topic to escalate, or posts intended to incite an uproar from the community.
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    I came off the meds with the GP's blessing, he said it was ok as long as I worked out as in his opinion exercise is more efficient than meds for lifting mood, we also worked out the foods to eat to help heal my body, as my metabolism has obviously been damaged from eating below 1000 cals for most of my adult life.

    I have borderline personality disorder, A lifelong condition, the meds no matter which I take, I always seem to gain weight....

    I f my mood stabilises then I am stable and happy, that is all that matters, I found exercise is the best for this...

    I live in a weird type of world compared to others, I can only do one day at a time as my mental health issues can fluctuate, I have coping mechanisms in place that enable me to function well and work for me without harming others...

    this is why I stay away from the posters who criticize as that sends me over the edge and my mood goes out of control along with the eating..

    I am finding Pilates helps and meditation is helping. I am relieved to hear that massive weight gain has happened to others with meds, seems each time I gained 21LBs I was on meds again, unfortunately if I take meds I have to eat below 1000 cals a day to maintain my weight.... Lets see if the pattern continues and I start to lose after Aug when I will have been off the meds for about 9 months....to gain 7lbs a week is soul destroying while on meds and makes things worse as it creates more health problems...

    Thank you for the input, I have been on tricycles, ssris, and old generation anti depressants, and each one does the same thing, apparantly for some of us, when the meds control and stabilise the mood they also bring down the metabolism, this is what I was told by Psych doc anyway...

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