Dramatic weight gain

[kitgal421]

In the last half year I've experienced a dramatic weight gain. In February I weighed 115, now in October I weigh 180. I'm so beyond frustrated at everything.

I don't understand what has happened. I walk to all of my classes (so about 15-30 minutes each day) and I never even have time to snack! I started a new job in July that requires me to be pretty active. It's a local humane society so I'm on my feet and walking animals around all day. I'm a senior in college this year, so my schedule is very hectic. I have classes from 7:30-11:30 everyday, then I work from 12-6. Then I have my own animals to come home and take care of, homework, and house work. I usually plop down on the couch around 9:30 for an hour to spend in silence by myself, then bed by 10:30. Most mornings I wake up around 5:30 just to have time to get all my work done.

I went to the doctor last week and had blood drawn to check for any problems. The result: all normal. Of course my doctor gave me the usual spiel: "Are you exercising and eating healthy???" In fact, I'm snacking less and walking around MORE than usual. And I've still gained nearly 60 pounds.

All I want to do lately is come home and cry. It all feels so hopeless and I feel so unlovable and worthless. I leave for Universal Orlando next thursday, and I'm dreading taking any pictures or even being out and about in public.

 

[jujube]

Go to your doctor and get a work up would be my advice.

 

[kwelch10377]

Go to your doctor and get a work up would be my advice.

Her post said she already did that

What is your typical meal and what do you snack on? Do you drink a lot?

The walking you do to class really won't aid in weight loss, most people do that type of walking each day. I would look into doing running/jogging/other cardio and some strength training. Does your college have a gym you can use.

 

[superme80]

How is your sleep? That can aid in weight gain too.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

Don't let this ruin your trip. You are working so hard, you deserve a great vacation. You may not want to be in photos, but still you should get up in the morning and know that you are a good person and you are on vacation.

I think it's worth getting a referral to a dietician or nutritionist or even another doctor, since it's so dramatic a gain.

 

[Poohforyou]

If you're being honest with yourself that you aren't eating a lot more than you were 6 months ago I'd suggest going to another dr. Yours likely ran some basic cursory tests. You need to be worked up more indepth. I'd suggest an endocrinologist.

 

[kwelch10377]

Do you know what tests the Dr. ran?

 

[Buckalew11]

That's actually a gain of 65 lbs.--not "nearly 60." That's a tremendous weight gain in about 8 months time. I can't imagine that your doctor thought that could be any kind of normal type of weight gain. Isn't it common for women to gain like 5 lbs. a year? Not that it is OK or good, but I think it is common.

It does not sound like you have a lot of time to eat. Are you eating the wrong things? That hour on the couch where you are alone and vegging out are you eating?

Honestly, I'd either go back to the doctor or find a new one because I think this one should be highly concerned. You can't have another 6 months like these past ones.

Good luck and keep your chin up--the last thing you need is depression to set in.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

If you do the same walking etc, your body gets used to it. You need to do exercise that is different from everyday stuff.

You could be eating too LITTLE. Yes it happens and your body goes into starvation.

Can you put a day's worth of food down for us, and or go to www.myfitnesspal.com and add your food. It will give you your fats, calories, etc.

Also did they do a thyroid test. If so, make sure you are not borderline.

 

[kitgal421]

I only drink water. I cut out soda when I was in high school and never really started drinking alcohol (maybe a beer every week or other week.)

For breakfast I just have a bowl of cereal with no milk, I HATE milk. A typical lunch meal is a pbj sandwich (or some meat and cheese sandwich) with a side of either grapes or apples.For dinner I usually just make some easy frozen dinner or some mac and cheese or something else easy/cheap to make. I eat at lunch between 11:30-12 (my only break between classes and work) and dinner after I get home around 5. No time for snacking in between then.

Like I said I'm on feet rushing around with different animals all day. If my school has a gym, I wouldn't know it. I don't have a campus parking pass, so I'd have to take a campus shuttle bus and they don't run after 5. My apartment does have one that I was able to use during the summer when It only had summer classes and no job. There was always a huge wait to get in. With only two treadmills and a weight machine, I rarely managed to get in
before the hardcore work out people snagged it.

I still feel a weight gain of this magnitude is not normal considering I'm MORE active than I was last year and no longer have time to snack.

And depression is totally beyond in. I already CANNOT keep up with my homework and work work. I come home in tears and beyond stressed everyday.

 

[Nanabug02]

Hi there,

First off, I'm sorry you are dealing with weight issues. I completely understand how hard it is.

Okay, I strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see a good Endocrinologist. An Endocrinologist specializes in your endocrine system, which is basically all of the hormones in your body. Regular general doctors are not usually running tests to look for problems with your hormones.

Right around college, I started gaining weight very rapidly. And I still struggle with losing weight and will gain very quickly. I was finally diagnosed with a Thyroid disorder and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) about 2 years ago. This is what causes my weight gain issues. I had went to regular doctors for years, and they never figured it out.

I'm not saying you have Thyroid disease or PCOS. All I'm saying is that if you are genuinely not engaging in behaviors that would warrant such a big weight gain, then you need to go to a doctor who is more specialized. If the Endo doesn't find anything, then no harm done. I just think it would be a good idea for you to see one. That kind of weight gain is not normal.

Sending pixie dust your way!

 

[DebbieB]

Are you taking any medications? Some meds cause weight gain.

 

[jujube]

Her post said she already did that

What is your typical meal and what do you snack on? Do you drink a lot?

The walking you do to class really won't aid in weight loss, most people do that type of walking each day. I would look into doing running/jogging/other cardio and some strength training. Does your college have a gym you can use.

Oops, missed that!
OP, go to another doctor. That is a huge amount of weight to gain so quickly. Maybe see an endocriniologist because it sounds more like a metabolic issue from the amount of food and exercise you're getting. Is there an alternative medicine doctor in your town? It's been my expereince that this type of doctor sees fewer patents and spends more time with them. They also think outside the parameters of more mainstream physicians and will work harder to find a solution.

 

[mrsdrake625]

Get a second Dr's opinion - bloodwork if you can afford it or if insurance covers it.

I moved to another part of the country and had a stressful job a few years ago, started gaining weight and feeling generally very crappy. Turned out I have a gluten intolerance. Changed my diet and I feel much better. That can be tested very easily; ask your Dr. about it. Celiac or gluten intolerance can have some very weird symptoms when undiagnosed. Or it could be some similar type of nutritional issue. Just a thought!

Hope you feel better soon!!! It's so hard, especially when you don't know why it's happening. Hope you get some answers.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

People have given you good advice and I strongly agree with the people suggesting that you see another doctor. You mentioned walking to your classes which makes me assume you are in college. My university had a health clinic (like most universities) that also had a special women's clinic area. You could see those doctors for any reason at all as long as you were female. I liked all of them so much better than the other doctors. In any case, if you have one of these, you might want to check and see about going to see one of these doctors. As an OBGYN, they will know a lot about the female body and what is and is not normal. They will know better questions to ask. Then, they can do a complete check to see if they can find anything. They can also give you tips on what could be causing the weight gain and if they think it might just be age/hormone related.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.

 

[Nanabug02]

You also might want to Google PCOS and see if you have any of the symptoms. PCOS usually starts showing up in your late teens/early 20's. Common PCOS symptoms are weight gain, acne, infertility, lack of periods, or very heavy periods, depression, hair growth on the face or chest, etc.

It is basically a hormone disorder, and weight gain is one of the most obvious and common symptoms.

 

[mrsdrake625]

... and ditto on going to the endocrinologist!!! Your OBGYN might be able to do a few simple hormone tests as well if you can't see a specialist?

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

OP,

Doctors miss things. Go to another, ASAP! Also, lab errors are possible. My dad was getting ridiculously high potassium results, suddenly and 3 times in a row. He switched labs (literally, had the 4th test run 2 days later) and his potassium levels (which were so high his doc was going to hospitalize him) were back to normal.

Sending good thoughts your way.

Karen

 

[pooh4brains]

Hi there,

First off, I'm sorry you are dealing with weight issues. I completely understand how hard it is.

Okay, I strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see a good Endocrinologist. An Endocrinologist specializes in your endocrine system, which is basically all of the hormones in your body. Regular general doctors are not usually running tests to look for problems with your hormones.

Right around college, I started gaining weight very rapidly. And I still struggle with losing weight and will gain very quickly. I was finally diagnosed with a Thyroid disorder and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) about 2 years ago. This is what causes my weight gain issues. I had went to regular doctors for years, and they never figured it out.

I'm not saying you have Thyroid disease or PCOS. All I'm saying is that if you are genuinely not engaging in behaviors that would warrant such a big weight gain, then you need to go to a doctor who is more specialized. If the Endo doesn't find anything, then no harm done. I just think it would be a good idea for you to see one. That kind of weight gain is not normal.

Sending pixie dust your way!

This is excellent advice. I have PCOS, and I can gain weight rapidly just by looking at the wrong foods. Get an appt with an endocrinologist, and once you get a diagnosis, come back to us!

 

[chager]

I agree with the 2nd opinion. My former doc ran all the tests said everything was fine. I wasn't feeling fine though. So I went to another doc. He looked at the blood work results from the first one. Said I was Type2 Diabetic and my thyroid number was too high. Put me on meds....I feel better!