Hi! I'm new....I'm dealing with the shock and awe of gaining 20 pounds in the past week. I'm suspecting it has a lot to do with a new medication my doctor gave me (Lyrica), but that doesn't help me feel any better right NOW! I'm absolutely tubby. A good weight for me is 160. I can be happy with that. I have Fibromyalgia and my weight has steadily climbed to about 180 and now this. I'm actually at 203 today. Any suggestions from anyone who can relate and maybe know some quick solutions? I mean, if I gained it that fast, surely I can LOSE it that fast? right? If not, it's okay to lie to me.

I gained a bit more than that over one summer but it wasn't related to medication. My experience is that you won't lose it as fast as you gained it but I also have no idea how medication plays into the calculus so that's probably something to discuss with your doctor. Try not to freak out though! I had a minor breakdown when I realized how much I had gained and over such a short period of time but ever since I've been tracking everything I eat and exercising every day it has begun to slowly and steadily come off. I still think step one would be to talk to the doctor though, b/c 20lbs in one week is a lot.

20 pounds in a week would have me on the phone to the doctor's office immediately. I think you need to know whether that's normal because if it's not, it's a pretty big sign that it's the wrong med for you.

I am ready to go bananas w/ my doc (as soon as his office opens on Tuesday...) which is really frustrating being a holiday week-end! I am scared. Do you think it's important enough to call the ER? I've already stopped the medication.

Well, it's very bizzare to gain THAT much, but so long as your weight is consistent, not hard, and not hot or uncomfortable, I don't think it's ER time. Your doc should be able to get you in.

**Not a doctor, this is not official medical advice.**

Does your doctor have a referral service where his calls go to another doctor when he isn't working? I would want to talk to someone now rather than wait until Tuesday. It sounds like severe swelling (water rather than fat), but that can't be good for your organs. I don't know anything about medicine, but that's what I would do if it were me. Good luck!

Thanks girls for the advice! Yes, I called the on-call doc and left my # - no answer back though. And yes, I think the ER would be over-reacting. I need a shrink, not an MD! "Um, Doctor...I believe I have morphed into a human balloon..." It's just frustrating more than anything. My Mom whom I visited over the holidays has had gastric-bypass surgery and has gone from 270 punds to a tiny 140 pounds in a little over a year. I, on the other hand, have gained about 40 pounds in the past year. Now I get to hear the lectures from her and if I knew I was going to gain all of that weight during my visit, I never would have agreed to go on that medication RIGHT before I saw my mother!! Not fun.
I have to admit I did my fair share of over-eating the wonderful comfort foods in the past week (in between the lectures from my mother.....) :-) Spaghetti and meatballs never tasted so good. I even finished off my son's plate...and maybe my daughter's too...... :-) but still....20 pounds? That's a lotta pasta!!!

Just a few thoughts:

Sure, 20 pounds is alot. Were you weighing on your scale before you left and then mom's when you were visiting? And could that be some of the discrepancy?

Are you PMSing? That could account for a few pounds.

How much did you REALLY eat while you were away? Christmas time is AWFUL for goodies and treats and good old-fashioned eats. Those tiny, yummy morsels that we tend to not count and just shovel in seem to be the most offensive.

How much of what you ate was full of sodium? Did you drink enough water to counteract all of the sodium?

I can gain 5 pounds the morning after a Chineese dinner. Combine that with 150 calories for each cookie you ate, possible PMS pounds, lack of water, lots of sodium AND a new medication, you might just have your answer.

BTW, a call to your Pharmacist might be in order. I have found them to be VERY knowledgeable about side effects and drug interactions. They would be able to tell you if severe weight gain is a side effect of the drug you're taking.

These are just thoughts, leelee. Just meant to be helpful and put your mind at ease, not to be judgemental. The plus side is usually weight that goes on really quick, can come off really quick too. It's when we don't work to get it off immediately that it tends to stick.

Hi there LEELEE . . .

I have to agree that 20 pounds is a lot to gain in just a week and it sure sounds like a lot of it could be water retention (something I like to refer to as WWW -- Weird Water Weight) and some medications are notorious for causing that 'little' problem. As already mentioned, you might try asking the pharmacist.

In case you haven't discovered it yet there is an area on the board called "Dieting with Obstacles" that you might like to check out . . . I know there are chickies over there with Fibromyalgia and you might just find a buddy who has experience with Lyrica.

Wherever you decide to visit, you will be greeted with a great big and will receive tons of support. You've definitely taken the first important step on the road to better health and fitness by coming to 3FC . . . have a great moving and shaking kind of day, girl.

Hi leelee,

I have fibromyalgia, too, and I just want you to know that there is someone else out there who understands what you're going through. Of course, no two situations are exactly alike. (But I probably understand better than the average, healthy person, that's for sure).

I don't know about you, but for me it's been very rough and losing weight with fibro is NOT easy....

Meds, constant pain, sleep deprivation. The list goes on.

I wish you much luck. Dig deep and find the strength you need. It's there and available to you. You will feel better about yourself when you lose the weight and it will probably help your fibro, too.

I tend to "hang out" in the calorie-counter forum, also 20-somethings, if you ever want to talk.

lots of love to you,

nineteen

Thanks so much for the advice! I'm guessing 5 pounds is probably holiday eating - but the rest I have to believe is "WWW"! I like that term. I am susceptible to side effects of meds and I think this one is a doosy! I WILL call the pharmacist - I didn't think of that one. Thanks!

Well - I'm down 11 pounds now....and am still very puffy. Definitely some edema there...
1 thing is for sure, after having this water weight on I've felt what it is to be over 200 pounds and know how hard it is to do anything. You just feel so heavy and hopeless and down. I have another 42 pounds to go to my goal and I am very motivated. I never want to feel to bad again.
Nineteen, thanks for your input on Fibro - it's nice to have someone know and understand how IMPOSSIBLE it is to lose anything when you bosy is so screwed up!!!! Meowee, thanks for making me feel comfortable here!! Thanks so much ladies for your advice and I really hope we can be there for each other! Happy Happy New Year!!!!

I'm so glad this is getting under control! I had to check back in and make sure you were ok. Happy New Year!

Here is a list of side effects I found:

Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, unsteadiness, fatigue, swollen arms/legs, increased appetite, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.