Anyone have problems after losing weight? long post sorry!

mrayniak
mrayniak Posts: 38
edited September 24 in Motivation and Support
Has anyone had health/pain problems after losing the weight? I thought losing weight would be a good thing and as much as I love my new image the health problems seem to be never ending! I was hoping 2011 would be a good year and it has only brought on new issues. I am going to be as brief as possible as to what I have had to deal with - any insight is greatly appreciated - or just the support to stay on track and not lose my motivation - which is slowly slipping away...

*About 7 months ago the problems started with knee pain (popping, cracking, locking) I was told I have chondromalacia or patella tracking with a tight IT Band and arthritis. I did 2 rounds of Physical therapy and continued on my own with no relief.
*During that time I experienced severe back pain, later diagnosed with a bulged disk (I have had 3 "episodes" of my back "going out" on me in the last 6 months) and now the disk is getting worse and affecting my nerves. I completed two rounds of steroids and 1 round of physical therapy for the back - I go to the doctor on monday to see what i need to do next.
*I also have a lot of pain in my hip flexors that no one seems to know what to do with. At the end of december I had cortiozone in the knees and now the pain is coming back after 2 short months. But becasue of the back and am limited to short increments of swimming or walking.
*Then there's the female part of it - I lost the weight and my cycle became shorter than what it used to be (I expected a change) I have been about the same weight for the last 3 months and all of a sudden I am getting my period every 2 weeks.
*My ankle swelled up on me for about 2 days - for no apparent reason.
*I get dizzy every time I stand up.

I think that sums it up - I have seen 2 orthopedic specialists, a podiatrist, 4 rounds of physical therapy, I see a chiropractor regularly, now going to see the gyno, back the the spine doctor, and going to go to the rheumatologist for some more in depth blood work.
All this stuff is really starting to wear me down!

Replies

  • jkohan
    jkohan Posts: 184 Member
    First of all--congratulations on your awesome weightloss! I know how frustrated you must be! I cannot address the issues with your knees or back but I've had the same exact thing happen to me with my cycle. I just saw my OB this week and mentioned it and she suggested that while common convention is to think you will become more regular as you lose weight she said that ANY major change in your body can cause upheaval with the cycle. She said it can take a good year AFTER you are done losing for your body to realize the changes are complete and regulate. She also suggested that my body may favor higher levels of estrogen (which exist in large amounts of fat) and as I lose weight and lose the excess estrogen that my body may not be responding as well and it will just take a while to "catch up".

    Again, I'm sorry you are dealing with all of this--but I can tell you this--It is better to have those 112lbs OFF than ON even with some of these issues. Don't get discouraged!
  • bassetthree
    bassetthree Posts: 143 Member
    Oh my goodness! Who would ever think that getting to a healthy weight could result in anything but good things. I am very heavy and my knees, back, cycle, joints, ankles etc. are in poor shape. I am hoping these pains subside.

    I hope you figure out what has happened soon so you can get some relief.

    By the way....OUTSTANDING weight loss. Amazing!
  • Bridge_CG
    Bridge_CG Posts: 429 Member
    I know how you feel! I had cancer when I was 3 years old, and after I hit puberty, I just blew up. I think by the time I was 13 I had gone from 115 pounds, to a whopping 140 pounds all with in like a year. It was frightening. Now at the tender age of 22, 19 years of being cancer free- I am 182 pounds and I've tried everything. Right now I am kickboxing and looking into being a clean eater.

    But I know how you feel about the knees and hip flexors. It is normal however for your period to get lighter the more active you become.

    I dunno about the rest of the stuff, but... Good luck, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. If you've already lost 116 pounds, 40 pounds ain't got nothin on me. Ha.

    Good luck with your journey. I'm a newbee at this, so if you'd like to be my bud on this, I'm more than happy if you are!
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    Wow...that is a lot.

    But imagine it all with 116 more pounds on your body (cause many of these issues would happen regardless).

    Good job on the weightloss!
  • suziehomemaker
    suziehomemaker Posts: 116
    bump
  • iguanaliz
    iguanaliz Posts: 95 Member
    Do you run? Because the knee, ligament, back problems sometimes happen from "road running" on concrete. Especially if you have the wrong shoes. Although I'm sure you've already gone through that.

    Not to scare you, but there are also a number of autoimmune diseases that have those symptoms They can be difficult to diagnose -- more elimination than identification. And many can be controlled very nicely. I hope that's not the case, but it may not be a bad idea to see a rheumatologist. My mom's has been a lifesaver for her and a wealth of information on genetic aspects for me,

    As for the change in your cycle, definitely see your gyno about that. Losing/gaining can shift your cycle, but having it every two weeks suddenly could be an early sign of fibroids. Are you cramping worse than usual? Is it heavier (sorry if this is TMI!) You're really young for this but it could just be shifting hormones that will balance out eventually. You've lost a lot of weight so your body may be going "what the..."?

    Congratulations, BTW. You've done so great! I admire you!

    Liz
  • mrayniak
    mrayniak Posts: 38
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts!
    iguanaliz - I have never been a runner - I tried running for a brief period but the knee pain was too much even with cortizone so I had to stop. I am going to go see a rhuematologist to see if there is something more going. I'm glad your mom had some success and I too am hoping this will be the key to everything. My periods are super light with no cramping - they just come way too often!
    I know I need to be patient with my body but this has been a frustrating roller coaster (I was the type of person that never went to see the doctor and now the appointments are never ending).
    Everyone's support is very encouraging, thanks!!
  • fyfi_fendir
    fyfi_fendir Posts: 64 Member
    Fibromyalgia maybe? Ask the rheumatologist...
  • cssarmie
    cssarmie Posts: 1 Member
    I found your post while trying to find a solution to a similar problem. When I was obese, I never had any leg or hip problems. I just went to my doctor to find out I have hip bursitis and thigh tendonitis. At 170 pounds I was able to do yoga and know that I'm slim I attempt to do the same routines and now I have injuries. I think now that I'm at my desired weight I have endless amounts of energy and I can't sit down. At work I never sit. I am teaching and running to and fro on my planning period. This explains the trauma.
    As far as menstruation goes, my period only lasts for 3-4 days and is always on time. It used to last 5-6 days and was very irregular.
    I am cold all the time, must be lack of fat to insulate.
  • kath711
    kath711 Posts: 710 Member
    Your dizziness might be caused by having your periods too close together and causing some anemia. If they don't normalize, you may eventually need help with hormone therapy and/or iron pills but obviously talk to your GYN about this.
  • aplusgeek
    aplusgeek Posts: 49
    How about seeking out a nutritionist to go over your diet. A lot of problems like you describe are caused by inadequate nutrient intake. Another possibility could be the intensity of Excercises that you have done. You need to go over all small details in your life with a small comb to find the true culprit.
  • melbaby925
    melbaby925 Posts: 613
    I would try a foam roller for the IT band and tight muscles. Trade in your chiro and physical therapists for a Dr who is certified in active release technique. I had chronic issues with my IT band, broke my foot, sprained my ankle, and pulled my hamstring. Nothing helped after I got the boot off. I kept throwing my back out. It was a nightmare!

    I read an article about active release, I found a local guy, and I'm fixed! It took 8 weeks of treatment, stretching and patience, but I'm good now.


    Can't help with the cycle problems, but I would go to the ob/gyn and get tested...for everything. Hope you get better quick!
  • tcw67270
    tcw67270 Posts: 1
    Wow...everything symptom you mentioned, I've experienced. My back hip and just general pain problems were contributed to the change in weight distribution so your muscles over and under compensate for at your new weight. I had to get insoles for my shoes to help with the back and knee pain. That worked wonders. The period changes for me were summed up with PCOS and treated with birth control. I still experience pain and fatigue and those problems were due to vitamin deficiencies such as calcium and B-12. Congrats on your weight loss!! It's a long never ending road. Just hang in there an know you're not alone and may get answers from the community you create!
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