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Bloating up like a balloon

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Posted 1/23/2013 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
When I was 26 I weighed about 150 lbs, 4 years later I went up to 205 lbs (without any change in my diet), then 2,5 years later I was treated for leaky gut and was put on a histamine eliminating diet, and lost about 35 lbs in 4,5 months.

Now, I have gained over 35 lbs in about 7 months - I feel like I'm bloating up like a balloon, and nothing can stop it, I think it must be the abx treatment.

It's already hard enough to fight this disease, without having the weight problems and people judging me on that too... I know I shouldn't be thinking of that, but it only makes me feel worse.

I'm not huge huge (no offence to anyone), but it makes me feel worse...

I thought I was retaining water, it felt like that, but I'm off abx for 10 days now and there's no change...

I know I shouldn't get stressed about it, but it's not really benificial for my self image  cry

Posted 1/23/2013 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Have you had your thyroid checked??? Without changes to your diet, it has to be thyroid/hormonal imbalance issues. Unless it is edema but wouldn't your extremities look swollen like they were retaining water if that were the case? I know one of the posters on here suggests to people to have their T3 & T4 thyroid hormone tested as the guidelines for thyroid issues has changed and apparently even though your overall numbers may appear normal if you single these two out it can show that they are in fact out of whack. Worth a shot! I can imagine that it is VERY distressful not to feel good in your own skin! So sorry!
Posted 1/23/2013 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Also, could it be a food allergy??
Posted 1/23/2013 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Shabbychic.

Years ago, I had elevated TSH, but not too elevated, around 9 if I remember well. Not enough for my GP's back in time to put me on medication. I once had a full thyroid scan, and the endocrinologist told me she couldn't see anything, it was a tiny bit swollen, but not out of range. But she told me back then I would have to be carefull to not develop chronic fatique syndrome. And I also had radiotherapy about 16 or 17 years ago, right on that area - that's also a high risc factor.

I'll get that checked out soon, there's so much to think about... I forgot all about this...

Well, I've got food allergies too, and a severe histamine intolerance. I find it very difficult to keep it under control with all the medication and the supplements: I need to take them, but I also experience a reaction when I do. I take enzymes to break down the histamine. But I also take anti-histamine because it works longer and because the enzymes are so expensive. But then some people say it's not a good thing to take antihistamine when you're on Lyme treatment because it shuts down a possible immune response.

And then for the possible water retention: my hands are very swollen, but they hurt a lot too, so I'm sure there's arthritis there, my Dr confirmed it. My feet are a bit swollen, but not to bad - my lower legs are swollen though, and when I punch them, it turns white.

It's so complicated...

Posted 1/24/2013 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Marie, My first diagnosis was hypothyroidism so I know a bit about it. I believe they've changed what they consider to be the "normal" TSH range... 9 is considered high now. Also, there are doctors out there, naturopathic doctors and open-minded physicians, who don't rely only on the TSH level for a hypothyroid diagnosis... There are many other numbers that are more relevant... for example T3 and reverse T3. Not to mention clinical symptoms. To make it more complicated, it's possible to have a thyroid hormone absorption problem... If this were the case, your thyroid per se would be working, but you'd still benefit from taking some extra thyroid hormone. In general, endocrinologists are not the best docs to go to for hypothyroidism support. I'd recommend checking out Mary Shoman's FB page and books... both have tons of info. You can choose what kind of replacement you want to take... many people do better on natural desiccated (armour, nature thyroid) as opposed to synthroid.
Posted 1/24/2013 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
thank you very much marigold, I'll have a look at Mary Shoman's information!

I'm seeing my Dr in 1 month, and will ask him to do thyroid testing (T3 and reverse T3), he won't have any problem prescribing me those tests. I'll ask him his opinion too.

Posted 1/24/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Marie do you have ? Co-infections I believe have done this to me. I doubbled my weight and do not eat ( I've had a baked potato in 3 days). I have no appatite. I also have stomach issues (gallbladder out 3 years ago) and am on a gluten free diet which helps the gastro issues but not the weight.
Posted 1/24/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)

Waiting in FI,

I got diagnosed for Bartonella (PCR positive) - and probably have Lyme too (got tested again, now waiting for results, but I have so many symptoms).

I loved to eat, but my appetite is so down since I started treatment - my stomach issues were better after treatment of my leaky gut, but is worse with all the abx (I take pantoprazol now).

Posted 1/24/2013 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey MarieLS,

I have to agree with the others, sounds like your thyroid. Lyme disease is very funny when it comes to that. I have a normal TSH, but my free T3 and Free T4 are off. It is not enough to get your TSH levels tested, they can tell you nothing. There is actually a study that came out in Oct of 2012 (trying to find the link, pubmed has pulished them) that anything over 2.5 should be further tested, and no longer at 5.

Now my TSH levels are low (which would suggest Hyperthyroid) but my T3 and T4 are normal, and all symptoms of an irregular thyroid are gone.

It should also be stated that Armor is one of the best Thyroid meds for those with Lyme, although it can lower the TSH to appear like someone is hyper. Again, must test the t3 and t4 levels for proper diagnosis.
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