I NEED INPUT!!

okay so here's the situation I need help with. About a year ago I got to a place where I felt heavier, clothes weren't fitting, I looked bigger and my face looked fatter and there were physical signs that I looked quite a bit larger and my clothes hardly fit or didn't fit at all, when I weighed myself though, I had only gained about 5-6 pounds. I then lost the weight and got down to my usual weight and even 2 pounds under and, I haven't weighed since until this morning. I knew I had eaten over my calories a bit (for sure 3 pounds, possibly even 6 pounds worth) and can tell a difference in the way my clothes fit, but they still fit but when I weighed myself I had gained like 15 pounds from what I used to be! I am so confused because last year when the scale read that I gained 5-6 pounds I felt and looked large and my clothes really didn't fit at all. This year when I look at myself I don't look much different (I do see areas that clearly have gained but nothing like last year) but the scale reads so much more. Bottom line question is does 10 pounds of water weight look less than 5 pounds of fat fat? Does that make sense?

I just finished my period last week, I have taken two doses of miralax in the past week and I frequently drink 110 fl oz of water a day. Please someone help or provide some insight!!