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[C.Ann]

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[bumbershoot]

If it's just water weight, I'd suggest a diuretic...my friend took predisone for years to destroy her immune system (chronic idiopathic something-else hepatitis) and was puffy for the long years before she finally asked for a diuretic to help with it.

 

[C.Ann]

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[redlight]

My sympathies to your daughter. She should talk with her doctor about her concerns and what to do about it, whether its an alternative medication or changes in her diet.

How old is she?

 

[dismom2]

I'm sorry she has to deal with that awful side effect. I have taken medication that caused weight gain, too. It just happened, even though I didn't change any of my habits. She should probably talk to her doctor about other options. Some medications seem to change your metabolism, or give you the munchies, etc.. I don't know all the technical reasons, but weight gain is common with certain medications, unfortunately.

 

[ontariomonkey]

Well, I don't know what it is about the drug that makes her gain weight but I would think that the solution would be: eat less, move more. I'm serious, not trying to be mean or anything. Maybe a food diary would help her identify what is going wrong. Is it portion size or is she eating the wrong foods. If she feels the need to eat constantly, fruits and veg are healthier than chips etc. Pop (soda) also packs on the pounds. I would have her try and eat whole foods, ie avoid stuff that comes in a bag or box. KWIM. Eat just real food, not processed stuff. Avoid sugar and fat.

It stinks to have to put on a bathing suit when your self esteem is in the toilet but it sounds like she has to just take the plunge so to speak and get in that pool! Also, exercise boosts your mood and relieves stress and that is always a good thing.

I wish her luck!

 

[C.Ann]

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[SundancePass]

First, my sympathies to your daughter for her injuries AND her weight gain!

My question is this: Are the consequences of not taking the medicine worth the loss of weight or stopping the weight gain? Only your DD can answer that.

My guess is that the consequences of not taking the medicine are much worse than the weight gain. I suggest she talk to her doctor and see what can be done, if anything.

It sucks to be so dibilitated. I know as my car accident was 6/15/05 at 7:21AM. Took me 2 full years to recover and I lost only 2% of movement in one hand at the end. Hoepfully she will graduate to just her feet and will be able to take walks soon.

All the best to your DD! It is such a helpless feeling when your children are in pain, frustrated, or unhappy, etc. and all you can do as her parent is to listen.

 

[honugirl]

I just feel bad for her because she isn't doing anything "wrong" (in terms of diet and exercise) - yet her body seems to be "punishing" her.. I have a gut feeling that sooner or later she's just going to throw in the towel, stop taking the medication, and then she'll have a whole "new" set of problems to deal with..

C.Ann, for both you and your daughter. I know the spot she's in and I know how hard it is. The part I bolded and italicized is how I feel most of the time. And believe me, it's not hard to do a little "punishing" back to it. I'll bet she feels like her body is betraying her right now.

Has she tried a stationary bike? I think the recumbent kind are easier on the body than the upright ones.

Is there a way to drop her dose of the medication at all?

Have you tried having her push a wheelchair or one of those walkers with the seat for exercise? When she gets tired she could sit, then when she feels better, get up and walk some more. That might help her go farther.

There are no easy answers to this problem. Hang in there.

 

[PaulaSue]

I'm not a specialist but when I was in the process of losing weight I heard that you have to eat so many calories a day or your body goes into starvation mode and will hold onto the weight.

I know the meds are guilty of it too (my cousin gained a bunch on Steriods for her issues) but I just wanted to add that thought.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Do you know what about the meds is causing the weight gain? Do they effect metabolism, cause hunger etc?

 

[C.Ann]

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[honugirl]

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Any kind of stationary bike - or other type of typical exercise equipment - is absolutely out of the question.. That's why they have her exercising in water only..

Has she tried deep water running? That burns a heck of a lot of calories! I think more than regular jogging. They have these floaty belt things you put on and you're completely suspended in the water running.

Drop the dose of her medication? They just increased it.. (And she has gained an additional 4 lbs. since the increase - one week ago..)

Ugh, that's no good.

As I said - she can walk with one crutch - but not fast and not for any length of distance.. (Let's say she were to go to Walmart - or to the mall - she would have to be back in the wheelchair again..) Is it possible to lose any weight just by walking slowly, for short distances?

In the short term, no, she's not going to lose weight. But if she does it multiple times a day, she could probably increase the distance and length of time spent walking gradually, which in the end will pay off.

 

[C.Ann]

In the short term, no, she's not going to lose weight. But if she does it multiple times a day, she could probably increase the distance and length of time spent walking gradually, which in the end will pay off.

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Thanks.. I'll pass this info on to her..

 

[RN4Babies]

I feel for your dd C.Ann. Since I was diagnosed with cancer almost two years ago, I've gained 111 lbs. My appetite is almost non-existent, and my doctor said it's due to some of the medications I'm on. Exercise outside of water is impossible for me too due to horrible lymphedema in my right leg and foot. I totally understand the frustration your dd is feeling.

I know you said she exercises now in her pool/at the lake. I started a water aerobics class last week, and while I haven't lost any weight yet, I didn't gain any this week either. Psychologically, it's such a relief to be moving and doing SOMETHING. Is it possible for your dd to go to a class like that? Perhaps being with others in the water would be a lift for her emotionally too.

Best of luck to her; it's a terrible catch-22, no matter what she decides to do.

...And to you; we moms always worry about our kids, no matter how old they are, don't we?

 

[Belle102498]

I understand your daughter's situation. I went on a new med in Feb. and have gained 25 pounds since then (and it's still climbing). I asked my doctor about it and his response was " Quit eating so much, and get off your butt and exercise". I eat fruits and vegetables mostly, haven't changed my eating habits, and when my health permits it I exercise. The medication is making me gain weight, not any change in my habits. I was not thin to begin with, so the extra gain just makes it more mentally difficult for me, and having the dr respond in such a manner was devastating. I called the drug company, and they gave me the stats for weight gain on the meds, and it does happen. They told me that usually the weight gain evens out over time. Maybe your daughter just needs some time for her meds to level off. I know it's a waiting game, and it's HARD to wait. I was told it levels off after 2 years. This is killing me because I am going to get gastric bypass hopefully this winter. Even with the bypass there is a chance that I will still gain weight from the meds.

So, my advice with this whole crazy situation would be to have your daughter call the drug company and get stats on the weight gain. Things like how many gain weight, how long does the gain continue, and once it levels off does the body start losing the weight. The drug companies usually can give you better ideas than the drs. And they deal with the issue more than the drs do, so they might be able to give her some ideas on how to lose the weight. Just a few thoughts! Good Luck to your daughter!

 

[C.Ann]

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[Horseshoes]

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She's 36..

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If only it were that easy.. Her eating habits have not changed since she weighed 110 lbs. - she's just like me (I weigh 89 lbs.) - she eats like a bird.. Her appetite hasn't increased - nor is she a junk food eater.. Again (like me) it's not uncommon for her to eat only one small meal a day - or not eat at all for a day or two.. She's not a "snacker" and the only beverage she drinks (aside from Lactaid milk due to her lactose intolerance) is plain water - no soda; coffee; tea; etc.. So it's definitely not related to "what" she eats or how "much" she eats.. The only thing that has changed in her life is the inability to exercise in a manner that most people can (due to her injuries from her car accident) and the medication she must take in order to be able to function at all..

If "getting up and moving" were an option, she would be joining a gym and going daily.. If she were able to jog, she would be out there jogging - but she can't do either of those things due to the fact that she can't even walk without a crutch.. (No relation to the weight - it's injury related.. She was in a wheelchair much of last year before she "graduated" to two crutches and then down to one via PT..) The exercises that she is allowed to do must be done in "water" - therefore she exercises daily in their pool at home and exercises daily in the lake when she's up here (providing it's not raining, of course)..

It's not your typical situation of food intake vs physical output.. It's the medication and physical restrictions that are causing the problem.. She has spoken to her doctors about this (the specialists that are handling the specific health issues that require the use of this medication) and they have basically told her that there aren't any other options at this point in time.. It's either take the medication and live with the weight gain - or not take the medication and live with the consequences..

Although you didn't seem to understand exactly what I was saying, I do appreciate you taking the time to respond..

I just feel bad for her because she isn't doing anything "wrong" (in terms of diet and exercise) - yet her body seems to be "punishing" her.. I have a gut feeling that sooner or later she's just going to throw in the towel, stop taking the medication, and then she'll have a whole "new" set of problems to deal with..

I swear - sometimes the side effects of medication cause so many problems you have to wonder why they're even on the market..

I bolded the part about her eating habits. If she eats healthy, her not eating is what is bad for her. By not eating, her body goes into starvation mode, and it would be very hard for anyone to lose weight. She should feed her body 3 meals every day, and snack in between. Her metabolism has slowed down becuase she doesnt eat. Not saying she has to eat huge meals, but she has to eat something. My mother eats CONSTANTLY, but very small portions, and she weighs about 118.

Does her MD know she hardly eats at all?

I hope this helps and I hope she feels better very soon

 

[C.Ann]

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