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What Causes Excessive Weight Gain While Suffering From An Auto-immune Disease?
I have gained 40 lbs. in the last year and cannot figure out why. I have a normal lifetime weight of 115 lbs. I have multiple auto-immune diseases including RA (as well as osteoarthritis), IBS, and lupus. I have always been fit and weighed 115 lbs. as an adult until about a year ago when I gained about 40-45 lbs. (practically overnight). The only meds I m presently taking are Klonopin (anxiety) and Inderal ER (essential tremor), both caused by a brain injury in 2011. I am not an over-eater. I have always been quite fit and a regular exerciser. I have extreme pain to the point where I cannot stand for more than a few minutes. My PCP did a CAT scan about 8 mos. ago and told me everything was normal. I had a mammogram about a year ago, was told I had dense breasts, followed up 6 mos. later....normal. I have noticed recently that I have swollen armpits approx. 2/3 of the area on the bottom. I cannot distinguish if the fatty areas are related to the weight gain or something else. I need help, and I can t seem to find a doctor that will , or can t, take the entire situation into consideration and give me definitive answers. Help! (More symptoms than mentioned but I realize your time is valuable.)
Thu, 29 Aug 2019
Hi,
Noted your detailed history about sudden weight gain of 40 lbs in just one year after it was well maintained, have autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, IBS and Lupus, CAT scan normal, brain injury in 2011, armpits swollen, mammogram showed dense breast in past but now normal, taking Klonopin and Inderal ER.
As per your history the possible causes of weight gain can be as follows:
Klonopin is known to cause weight gain.
Hormonal changes like estrogen-progesteron, Thyroid hormones in a life-cycle can be another reason.
Sedentary life.
Stress and anxiety can work both ways.
No exercises and fatty and oily foods.
Surely your GP can have a detailed history taking, clinical evaluation, examination and relevant investigations of blood, urine, stool, ultrasonography and as needed, correlate all and come to some conclusion, may refer you to the concerned Specialist.
Once the cause is found, it can be specifically treated like hypothyroidism.
Till then start regular exercises, stop sugars, oily and outside foods, take more salads.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
Noted your detailed history about sudden weight gain of 40 lbs in just one year after it was well maintained, have autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis RA, IBS and Lupus, CAT scan normal, brain injury in 2011, armpits swollen, mammogram showed dense breast in past but now normal, taking Klonopin and Inderal ER.
As per your history the possible causes of weight gain can be as follows:
Klonopin is known to cause weight gain.
Hormonal changes like estrogen-progesteron, Thyroid hormones in a life-cycle can be another reason.
Sedentary life.
Stress and anxiety can work both ways.
No exercises and fatty and oily foods.
Surely your GP can have a detailed history taking, clinical evaluation, examination and relevant investigations of blood, urine, stool, ultrasonography and as needed, correlate all and come to some conclusion, may refer you to the concerned Specialist.
Once the cause is found, it can be specifically treated like hypothyroidism.
Till then start regular exercises, stop sugars, oily and outside foods, take more salads.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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