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Does Excessive Water Retention In Body Cause Weight Gain?
Question: Dear Dr Iliri,
I know you have asked me to review your old answers to my questions instead of
Asking repeatedly and I will do so, but have so much anxiety this week that I needed to ask you some questions again.
I feel again that perhaps I am retaining fluid and while I am eating less, my weight appears to be up a couple of pounds. Could this be anything but fluid retention? Is it true that if I had lowered urine output due to heart or kidney failure, it would be quite marked, like under 500ml per 24 hours? It is not at that level but despite drinking 2.5 liters a day, I don't feel frequent or strong urges to urinate. I have had bladder ultrasound which showed no retention.
I was diagnosed holiday season last year and so holiday things like music and lights are frightening instead of happy. Last year I was told it was to be my last Christmas. It is so difficult to feel that I am truly cured and ok. Is it really impossible for me to be having heart troubles just three weeks after a normal echo?
My apologies for seeking advice yet again. If you need to pass this question to another doctor, I completely understand. I just need to come
To a total understanding that as a healthy person, the same "symptoms" no longer have significance. I need to get my life back and stop feeling such fear.
Many many thanks,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
I know you have asked me to review your old answers to my questions instead of
Asking repeatedly and I will do so, but have so much anxiety this week that I needed to ask you some questions again.
I feel again that perhaps I am retaining fluid and while I am eating less, my weight appears to be up a couple of pounds. Could this be anything but fluid retention? Is it true that if I had lowered urine output due to heart or kidney failure, it would be quite marked, like under 500ml per 24 hours? It is not at that level but despite drinking 2.5 liters a day, I don't feel frequent or strong urges to urinate. I have had bladder ultrasound which showed no retention.
I was diagnosed holiday season last year and so holiday things like music and lights are frightening instead of happy. Last year I was told it was to be my last Christmas. It is so difficult to feel that I am truly cured and ok. Is it really impossible for me to be having heart troubles just three weeks after a normal echo?
My apologies for seeking advice yet again. If you need to pass this question to another doctor, I completely understand. I just need to come
To a total understanding that as a healthy person, the same "symptoms" no longer have significance. I need to get my life back and stop feeling such fear.
Many many thanks,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear Mia,
I am glad to hear from you again. I understand your concern, but before i would like to know, why you think that you are retaining excess fluids. A couple of pounds in weight increase is not specific of abnormal fluid overload.
I need more convincing medical evidence to believe you are overloaded with excessive fluids.
All the previous medical tests you have been able to furnish me concludes the opposite.
You have a cardiac ultrasound that defines a normal cardiac and structure, normal liver and renal function, normal natriuretic peptides level, normal nuclear cardiac imaging test, normal blood electrolytes level, etc.
So a fluid overload could not be a rationale and scientifically possible to prove as a responsible cause for your weight gain.
My conclusion is supported by the fact; you are not suffering from any heart failure symptomatology: no shortness of breath, no systemic edema, no decrease in your overall daily physical performance.
Instead of thinking about a fluid overload, I would suggest to consider a possible weight increase due to excessive calories intake or non sufficiently utilizing them.
If I may ask you: Did you follow my advice to engage yourself in intensive and frequent physical activities (intense daily walking at least 4-5 km, cycling, swimming, aerobics, etc.)?
It would be an important component of successfully overcoming your anxiety disorder, but also to maintain optimal weight equilibrium.
Don't forget that eating a lot, is a frequent behavior mood to compensate for increased anxiety in many individual. I am afraid you have followed such a strategy.
Please, limit your calories intake, to maintain a healthy and beautiful body just as you looked in your uploaded photo.
And consider my advice to be an active girl, walking and running every time you take that opportunity.
And don't be embarrassed to discuss with me. I know your whole medical history and would like to be of some support for your problems.
Just let me know how things are going on.
Kind regards,
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear Mia,
I am glad to hear from you again. I understand your concern, but before i would like to know, why you think that you are retaining excess fluids. A couple of pounds in weight increase is not specific of abnormal fluid overload.
I need more convincing medical evidence to believe you are overloaded with excessive fluids.
All the previous medical tests you have been able to furnish me concludes the opposite.
You have a cardiac ultrasound that defines a normal cardiac and structure, normal liver and renal function, normal natriuretic peptides level, normal nuclear cardiac imaging test, normal blood electrolytes level, etc.
So a fluid overload could not be a rationale and scientifically possible to prove as a responsible cause for your weight gain.
My conclusion is supported by the fact; you are not suffering from any heart failure symptomatology: no shortness of breath, no systemic edema, no decrease in your overall daily physical performance.
Instead of thinking about a fluid overload, I would suggest to consider a possible weight increase due to excessive calories intake or non sufficiently utilizing them.
If I may ask you: Did you follow my advice to engage yourself in intensive and frequent physical activities (intense daily walking at least 4-5 km, cycling, swimming, aerobics, etc.)?
It would be an important component of successfully overcoming your anxiety disorder, but also to maintain optimal weight equilibrium.
Don't forget that eating a lot, is a frequent behavior mood to compensate for increased anxiety in many individual. I am afraid you have followed such a strategy.
Please, limit your calories intake, to maintain a healthy and beautiful body just as you looked in your uploaded photo.
And consider my advice to be an active girl, walking and running every time you take that opportunity.
And don't be embarrassed to discuss with me. I know your whole medical history and would like to be of some support for your problems.
Just let me know how things are going on.
Kind regards,
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr Iliri,
Thank you so much for your wise words, as always.
I wish I could explain the very slight weight gain as excess eating or lack of exercise but I am obsessive(of course, and it's not good) about keeping my calories to no more than 1200 a day and I cycle 10 miles each day, although I should definitely increase my exertion levels.
It seems I have some increased weight due to menstrual cycle sometimes, although it happens mid-cycle rather than directly pre-menstrual.
Also I have now been on Prozac for six months which has caused weight gain for me in the past. I think I will discontinue the Prozac because if it's causing the weight gain, it is too distressing.
Also I have added carbs to my diet in the form of unsweetened oatmeal and fruit, no refined sugars. I eat a vegetarian diet, mostly vegetables.
It is the suddeness of this weight gain which scares me. From 110 lbs to 112 two days later without any big meals or changes during that time.
Are you sure this is nothing to worry about? I am so frightened and fighting urge to go to the emergency room.
My old doctor scared me so much. I know I have to disregard what he said but his voice is the voice of all my fears.
Many many thanks,
Mia
Thank you so much for your wise words, as always.
I wish I could explain the very slight weight gain as excess eating or lack of exercise but I am obsessive(of course, and it's not good) about keeping my calories to no more than 1200 a day and I cycle 10 miles each day, although I should definitely increase my exertion levels.
It seems I have some increased weight due to menstrual cycle sometimes, although it happens mid-cycle rather than directly pre-menstrual.
Also I have now been on Prozac for six months which has caused weight gain for me in the past. I think I will discontinue the Prozac because if it's causing the weight gain, it is too distressing.
Also I have added carbs to my diet in the form of unsweetened oatmeal and fruit, no refined sugars. I eat a vegetarian diet, mostly vegetables.
It is the suddeness of this weight gain which scares me. From 110 lbs to 112 two days later without any big meals or changes during that time.
Are you sure this is nothing to worry about? I am so frightened and fighting urge to go to the emergency room.
My old doctor scared me so much. I know I have to disregard what he said but his voice is the voice of all my fears.
Many many thanks,
Mia
Brief Answer:
No important weight variations to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mia,
Changing from 110 to 120 lbs in a few days is quite normal, and doesn't suggest any fluid overload. Daily water and food balance (intake and elimination) do occur with such a slight variations.
So, from this point I don't believe that any significant trend of weight gain could be reasonably judged.
Regarding Prozac, it is true that it may lead to weight gain as a result of appetite increase (1-10%).
But, if you keep following a physically active daily profile, a balanced diet with no excessive carbs and controlled overall calories, I am sure you are not going to experience any obvious weight gain.
No adverse cardiac issues could be implicated on the above discussion, as no abnormal evidence is concluded and no cardiac related clinical symptomatology could be found.
So just relax!
You are on the right way of dealing with your health issues.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
No important weight variations to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Mia,
Changing from 110 to 120 lbs in a few days is quite normal, and doesn't suggest any fluid overload. Daily water and food balance (intake and elimination) do occur with such a slight variations.
So, from this point I don't believe that any significant trend of weight gain could be reasonably judged.
Regarding Prozac, it is true that it may lead to weight gain as a result of appetite increase (1-10%).
But, if you keep following a physically active daily profile, a balanced diet with no excessive carbs and controlled overall calories, I am sure you are not going to experience any obvious weight gain.
No adverse cardiac issues could be implicated on the above discussion, as no abnormal evidence is concluded and no cardiac related clinical symptomatology could be found.
So just relax!
You are on the right way of dealing with your health issues.
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much, Dr Iliri. I am having particular trouble right now as it is exactly one year ago that I had my ablation. All of the Holiday decorations and music just remind of my doctor telling me that I would not live to see another Christmas.
I need to forget about fluid obsession but so far, it is so difficult. I keep hearing the dr say that fluid will kill me and so I face every meal with pure terror.
Would it be quite impossible to have any deterioration in my heart strength just one month after a perfectly good echo? It seems the relief of a good echo only lasts for a few days and then I am convinced I must be sick again.
I am trying to tell myself again and again all the reassuring things you've told me. I hope that soon it will sink in and I will enjoy life as I once did.
Thank you so much. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Mia
I need to forget about fluid obsession but so far, it is so difficult. I keep hearing the dr say that fluid will kill me and so I face every meal with pure terror.
Would it be quite impossible to have any deterioration in my heart strength just one month after a perfectly good echo? It seems the relief of a good echo only lasts for a few days and then I am convinced I must be sick again.
I am trying to tell myself again and again all the reassuring things you've told me. I hope that soon it will sink in and I will enjoy life as I once did.
Thank you so much. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Mia
Brief Answer:
You should enjoy your life and don't wait any more.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear Mia,
I would like to assure you that it is quite impossible to experience any cardiac deteriorations in the absence of any obvious underlying simptomatology and perfectly normal cardiac tests (including a recent cardiac ultrasound).
I strongly recommend you to disregard what that doctor has erroneously confirmed you time ago. Many many Christmas days will have passed and all you are fearing now will a bad joke and nothing else.
So don't think about this issue, at least not in such a stressful way.
Considering frequent cardiac ultrasounds as a reassurance tool for relieving the fears is not a good option in overcoming your obsessions about a possible heart failure relapse.
You can't wait periodically that a cardiac ultrasound confirms or no any serious complications. it would be so excruciating.
Instead, I recommend you to follow an active life and don't worry about those inexistent complications that will never happen again.
Wishing you a pleasant time.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
You should enjoy your life and don't wait any more.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again, dear Mia,
I would like to assure you that it is quite impossible to experience any cardiac deteriorations in the absence of any obvious underlying simptomatology and perfectly normal cardiac tests (including a recent cardiac ultrasound).
I strongly recommend you to disregard what that doctor has erroneously confirmed you time ago. Many many Christmas days will have passed and all you are fearing now will a bad joke and nothing else.
So don't think about this issue, at least not in such a stressful way.
Considering frequent cardiac ultrasounds as a reassurance tool for relieving the fears is not a good option in overcoming your obsessions about a possible heart failure relapse.
You can't wait periodically that a cardiac ultrasound confirms or no any serious complications. it would be so excruciating.
Instead, I recommend you to follow an active life and don't worry about those inexistent complications that will never happen again.
Wishing you a pleasant time.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr Iliri,
Thank you so much for all your help.
Today I saw my cardio for a regular checkup. As my heart rate and BP remain low on just 3.25 of carvedilol, he is stopping the carvedilol entirely as of today. I will have a holter in one month, and then holter/echo in 4 months, then annual testing for one year and then he said I will not need testing except perhaps every 3-5 years.
I am excited but also a bit scared to stop the carvedilol. My lisinopril was discontinued back in April, and carvedilol has slowly been withdrwan since high of 9.375 since May. Do you think it's safe for me to stop entirely? Do you think I could have rebound tachycardia or high BP even though the dose is so low now?
My cardio says, as you do, that I am entirely normal and had a transient condition due to my 60% PVC burden. I am trying hard to believe this fully so I can move on with my life.
If only my fluid obsession could abate, I think I would feel normal again. I know it's time to put what happened to me in the past.
Thank you so much,
Mia
Thank you so much for all your help.
Today I saw my cardio for a regular checkup. As my heart rate and BP remain low on just 3.25 of carvedilol, he is stopping the carvedilol entirely as of today. I will have a holter in one month, and then holter/echo in 4 months, then annual testing for one year and then he said I will not need testing except perhaps every 3-5 years.
I am excited but also a bit scared to stop the carvedilol. My lisinopril was discontinued back in April, and carvedilol has slowly been withdrwan since high of 9.375 since May. Do you think it's safe for me to stop entirely? Do you think I could have rebound tachycardia or high BP even though the dose is so low now?
My cardio says, as you do, that I am entirely normal and had a transient condition due to my 60% PVC burden. I am trying hard to believe this fully so I can move on with my life.
If only my fluid obsession could abate, I think I would feel normal again. I know it's time to put what happened to me in the past.
Thank you so much,
Mia
Brief Answer:
Everything seems to go its right way.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mia,
Stopping Carvedilol is a good news, as in your clinical conditions, after regaining your normal cardiac function, free from arrhythmic events, no further maintenance therapy seems to be necessary.
You don’t have to be feared, as this conclusion is a logical outcome of a successful treatment and a perfect disease regression.
Instead, you should be glad.
Rebound tachycardia or high blood pressure are practically impossible with such a small dose of Carvedilol currently.
Meanwhile, try to engage yourself in healthy daily activity (frequent physical activity would improve your blood circulation and anxiety component), helping also with your fluids obsession.
I believe that soon everything will resemble a remote dream and you will enjoy your well-being.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Everything seems to go its right way.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mia,
Stopping Carvedilol is a good news, as in your clinical conditions, after regaining your normal cardiac function, free from arrhythmic events, no further maintenance therapy seems to be necessary.
You don’t have to be feared, as this conclusion is a logical outcome of a successful treatment and a perfect disease regression.
Instead, you should be glad.
Rebound tachycardia or high blood pressure are practically impossible with such a small dose of Carvedilol currently.
Meanwhile, try to engage yourself in healthy daily activity (frequent physical activity would improve your blood circulation and anxiety component), helping also with your fluids obsession.
I believe that soon everything will resemble a remote dream and you will enjoy your well-being.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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