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Weight gained by nexium. Can't lose it again. Any success stories?

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Posted 8/3/2014 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. My wife took nexium approximately 6 years ago for greed symptoms. Although she didn't increase her caloric intake she gained almost 80 lbs in 4 months. She still have heavy heartburn the whole time she took nexium. No matter what she did for diet and exercise she couldn't lose any weight. She had limited success with Beverly Hills weight loss, losing 30 lbs, but was unable to keep it off when she stopped taking the protein supplement. She subsequentlly started to gain weight gain. A year before our wedding she buckled down and ate very cleanly, and worked out everyday for 45 mins every morning, weights with a trainer and videos at home etc, and a walk every nite. By the wedding she gained 10 pounds of fat. She carries most of the weight on her belly. She has tried Chinese herb medicine, naturopathic medicine, and regular doctors who tell her she is vain. She has had her thyroid tested several times as well as other tests. Everything comes back fine. I am looking for success stories of people who have had this same issue and what helped. She doesn't know where to turn or try next. I can appreciate the nexium success stories and those that say they never gained a pound but that isn't what I am looking for here? Please help. I am new to this forum so I hope I will be able to find your answers. Thank you
Posted 8/4/2014 8:55 AM (GMT 0)
Is she still taking the Nexium? Im surprised it caused her to gain 80lbs, I've never heard that happen to people before.

Sounds a bit like my girlfriend, she can eat hardly anything, go to the gym every day, yet not lose any weight poor thing.

What does a usual days diet look like for her? Have you worked out how many calories she eats per day?
Posted 8/4/2014 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
just typed a reply and lost it grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I've gained 15 pounds since taking Nexium and CANNOT lose it. Eating healthy correct food which is great for Gerd however my weight is belly area also thighs and bum. It will not come off. I walk over 10,000 steps a day and eat non fattening food. Was good to know someone else having this problems. My GP WON'T accept the gain is due to Nexium and keeps suggesting I get the weight off. I am so frustrated.
Posted 8/4/2014 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
First, is it your wife who is having the issue, or you? If you are more concerned about her weight than she is, it will never come off, plus, you are causing her mental anguish and probably not helping your marriage, either.

If she wants to lose it, she should get a copy of her thyroid results and start taking matters into her own hands. My bet is that the weight gain has little to do with Nexium. How long has she quit taking it? Taking something six years previous couldn't be keeping her from losing the weight now, could it? I would bet that one time she took an aspirin, too. Could that cause it? Of course not. A progressively sluggish thyroid could have caused it, though.

For adequate thyroid testing, she would need to have a Free T3 and a Free T4 test. If she only had a TSH test, that is not adequate. Look at the numbers for Free T3 and Free T4. Her number should be in the middle (50%) to three-quarters (75%) of the range (the range will be printed on the test result so you can calculate it). The doctor should check for nodules in her thyroid. A good doctor can feel them while she drinks a cup of water, and if they are present, she should have an ultrasound of them (or maybe an ultrasound to prove the absence of them). The way to get good care is to inform yourselves, be armed with certain copies of information for the doctor, and demand that testing be done. If the doctor doesn't like it, find another one. Her future health and her very life depend upon it. Much can be learned from this website: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
Posted 8/5/2014 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
I WellWoman
I have an underactive thyroid and have been taking Thyroxine for years. I've always maintained a healthy weight. I can honestly tell you I have gained a lot of weight since starting Nexium and it will not come off.
I eat properly and bloat badly even after eating small amount of food. GP just says the bloating is Hiatus hernia found as result of CT scan. The extra weight he says I'm probably eating wrong food which I'm not.
Any ideas?
Posted 8/5/2014 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still thinking thyroid, although I know that the ppi's can cause weight gain in some people.

I was on levothyroxine for many years and really couldn't tell any difference in the way I felt... always tired, slowly gaining weight that wouldn't come off, despite exercising 2 hours/day. Finally, I was so sick of being pudgy that I had cosmetic surgery to get my old self back. I sold a truck to pay for that one. Still, the weight slowly came back until I weighed more than before the surgery! Then, one day when I had the flu and was very stressed at work, I began to have heart issues that made me feel like I was going to die. Five cardiologists later, I had a cardiac ablation that was supposed to fix everything. Well, I woke up from it with the same issue as before going into the hospital. Fast forward a few years...

I finally put two and two together to equal THYROID! Then I started reading and found the website I gave you. Many people, I would venture around 60% to 70% of those who take levothyroxine (Synthroid, thyroxine, synthetic T4, whatever you want to call it), do not get real benefits from it. Also, most doctors only dose by the TSH test, a worthless gauge of your pituitary gland, not your thyroid (mine is always near 0, medication or none, telling the docs that I am hyperthyroid, not hypothyroid). When I finally found a doctor who takes many things into consideration (Free T4, Free T3, diet, weight, energy level, etc.) and switched me to natural desiccated thyroid and T3 (liothyronine, Cytomel), I began to feel like a new person. I have lots of energy and can get things done. I can barely feel my weird heart beat and I don't have angina anymore. My weight became normal for my frame at 120 lbs., though since the gerd I am only back up to 112.

So I take it you are still on the Nexium/ppi's after six years? Have you ever tried natural ways to get off of them? That would be my first suggestion, to get off of the ppi's. This is how I did it: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=3144102&g=3144817#m3144817 I hope you're eating very small meals (like a couple of tablespoonfuls at a time). With the hiatal hernia, the bigger you eat, the worse it will be.

I still say get adequate thyroid testing, get your results, and educate yourself about them. Read the website (all of it). Find a doctor who will do something different.
Posted 8/5/2014 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
HELLO Wellwoman
I have to thank you so much for all that information. I actually don't know what's tested when the blood work is done for Thyroid every six months. From now on I will ask for what you've suggested - fantastic info.
I'm almost starting to feel better already regarding my sluggishness.
I only started taking Nexium 6 months ago.It was prescribed for reflux/indigestion. I'd been to ER several times with chest/back pain so sure I was having a heart attack each time. Once I actually called an Ambulance as I was too scared to drive. Nothing wrong with my heart each time. Hospital did minor testing each visit. It wasn't until I demanded they admit me and I wasn't leaving until I found out what was causing so much chest pain hence finally a CT scan 2 weeks ago with the result hiatus hernia. It was such a relief to know the cause, and not send myself into blind panic anymore thinking I was about to drop dead.
By the way I'm not related to the guy who is worried about his wife's weight gain.
Yes I'm only eating small amounts of food and by trial and error have almost sorted out what does and doesn't upset the hernia.
I really appreciated your information.
Thanks again
Halsty
tongue tongue
Posted 8/6/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
halsty, sorry about my confusion in who I was writing to. It's one of the frustrating things of this website, replying to the thread instead of the one who is posting.

Another thing to "chew" on... one of the symptoms of low, uncorrected thyroid is indigestion.
Posted 8/6/2014 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WellWoman
Omg how interesting, chances are I'm suffering symptoms from both. I have a GP appointment next week, I will let you know.
thanks ever so much
Halsty
Posted 8/7/2014 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, to answer a few previous questions from earlier. My wife was on nexium for four months for heartburn. She didn't get any relief. We realize that nexium didn't cause the weight gain, but I do believe it caused an imbalance in the body. She has been off over six years but has not been able to lose the weight quickly gained while on the nexium. She has worked with a naturopath on a diet of only 1200 calories a day, mostly vegetables. She lost 12 lbs in under 3 months but wasn't able to drop a single pound after that no matter what she did. She apple cider vinegar diets. Cla, r- lipoic acid.
We were thinking insulin resistance, candida,and on.
My wife had her thyroid tested by her doctor more than once. We didn't realize there was more to the tests than the doctors ok. Every time her doctor told her she was fine. I agree with u well woman that it does make the most sense. Below is the test results for her last test. Please let us know what u think.
Lactate dehydrogenase 177
Calcium 2.21
Phosphate 0.84
Total protein 74
Albumin/ globulin ratio 0.73
Thyrotropin (tsh) 0.73
Free thyroxine (free t4). 14
Ferritin 15

Thanks for ur input so far. Nice to hear other stories and learn from them
Posted 8/7/2014 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
I am not sure if I said this but she was only on nexus for four months and hasn't been on it since. That was six years ago. As I stated earlier she did have some success with the Beverly hill weight loss diet, but only while she was on the diet
Posted 8/8/2014 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Feeling bloated, have you heard that diets don't work? For instance... if I was on the chocolate shake and eucalyptus bark diet, no matter how much I loved it, do you think I could sustain that one for the rest of my life to keep my weight down? Maybe my body would rebel from the incompleteness of it? If your wife wants to have a normal weight, she has to find the source of the problem, not a temporary band-aid for it.

As far as the testing, you must have the range, which will be on the test result page from the laboratory. (If you didn't get this, then ask your doctor for the lab copy, and be prepared to INSIST). The tests are done in different units, depending upon the laboratory. You don't need me for this, you can get out your calculator, look at the range, and determine if the Free T4 result is 50% to 75% of the normal range. Like I've said before, the TSH is truly a waste of time. I see that you didn't list Free T3 results, so I take it that they didn't do the test. I'm guessing that the doctor didn't check your wife for thyroid nodules either, or order an ultrasound to confirm? Hmmm... inadequate testing?

Another one that is helpful, especially for those who take thyroid medication, is the Reverse T3 test. It needs to be done at the same time as the Free T3, then you have to make sure both are in the same units (convert if necessary). The Reverse T3 shouldn't be more than 5% of the Free T3. If it is more, then you likely have a problem, and most often it is due to the inability to successfully convert your [usually Synthroid, Levothyroxine pill] to usable T3.

Ok, that's my brain dump for today. Btw, this stuff is all on line and readily available to those who read it.
Posted 8/8/2014 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Very low calorie diets tend not work long term as the body adjusts to the new level being eaten, and 1200 is pretty low. It has evolved to be pretty good at maintaining bodyweight in times when food is scarce.

I would suggest her eating more calories but increasing the exercise as well, and do weightlifting instead of cardio - it will burn more fat though her weight may appear stagnant from slightly increased muscle mass.
Posted 8/8/2014 10:39 AM (GMT 0)
what's wrong with just halving the quantity eaten and be mindful of high sugar and saturated fats in food. Also cut out processed food - take away junk food - eat fresh vegetables heaps of them cut back red meat eat more seafood. You can change to good quality food instead of fad diets which we all know don't keep the weight off. Good luck.
Posted 8/9/2014 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!
I am very sorry your wife is dealing with this. Unfortunately, weight gain is a side effect from PPI's. This clinical study proves it:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2761557/

If you google "weight gain and PPI's" you will find many stories of people with similar struggles. There are a few different theories as to why this happens. Unfortunately, many doctors are not aware of this yet. I am not sure why. It actually took them awhile before they paid attention to the other well known side effects of PPI's, such as low magnesium and rebound acid after withdrawal from those drugs.

Here are some of the theories I have read about:

1-The acid pumps in your body are used to break food down so that your body may absorb nutrients from it. When your pumps are turned off, the body stops absorbing many important things (more than just magnesium and calcium). The body thinks it is in starvation mode because of the lack of nutrients and then hoards what ever it actually can absorb, shutting down your body's metabolism.

2-I read something about PPI's blocking thyroid hormone as well. I do not know all of the details on this one. However, it is easy to see how blocking thyroid could affect weight loss.

3-PPI's slow the entire GI tract down. When you eat, food just sits there. Acid is normally the first step in the digestive process and when you have low acid, digestion takes a very long time to begin. This causes major bloating. It may not cause real fat gain, but the bloating can add 4 pounds easily. This of course, would not explain any weight gain over 4 or 5 pounds.

4-PPI's block Magnesium and low magnesium is linked to high cortisol levels (stress hormone). When you have high cortisol levels, your body tends to hold on to fat, especially in the mid section. I think this theory is probably correct, although I still think there is more to it.


Some things you can do are:

1-Take digestive enzymes. They sell them at almost every drug stores. They help the digestive process a lot. Many people get good results from them, including myself.

2-Take liquid magnesium. NOT pill form magnesium. If you are on PPI's, taking a magnesium pill supplement won't work since your body is not in any condition to absorb it. There is a liquid form that the vitamin shops sell. It has work wonders for me. Many of my low magnesium related side effects were greatly improved by doing this.

3-Lower your PPI dosage. This needs to be done carefully and gradually, as rebound acid is a very real result from stopping these meds. I lowered my Prilosec dose from 40mg daily to 20mg daily and my weight issues are improving.

Anyways, I hope this helps. I know how frustrating it is to be doing all that you can to lose weight and not see any results. It makes you feel very out of control. I hope this information will help you guys. I think you should try the supplements I mentioned. They do work well for me.
Posted 8/9/2014 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Wow CosmicCat

Thank you for sharing all that great info
I'm certainly going to try the liquid magnesium and digestive enzymes.
will try anything - unlike Feeling Bloated my weight is suddenly starting to drop
I have stopped eating bread, sugar and butter and eat plenty of fish. I've lost 3 kilos
the past 3 weeks.
My stomach feels better not so much bloating, discomfort and wind
It's trial and error I guess to see what suits your own body
Thanks again
Posted 8/9/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi FB.

Although hard to do at first, the following changes have helped me lose wgt. and keep it off:

Eliminate ALL white simple carbs (bread, white rice, white potatos) and refined sugar (table sugar, brown sugar) and processed, frozen, and packaged foods (which are sky-high in empty calories, like high fructose corn syrup) from the diet. Instead, eat tons of FRESH (not canned) or frozen fruits and veggies.

Eliminate RED meat which is full of fat, antibiotics. Instead, get your protein from fish or GRILLED (not fried) chicken, nuts, and beans.

Kiss anything packaged, fried or full of salt or sugar and grease goodbye. Regardless of what the package says, you can be guaranteed that they are FULL of fat, sugar, and a ton of other preservatives/additives that harm your health.

Drink TONS of water.

Turn off the tube/net and exercise.

Most importantly, don't expect "overnight" success claimed by "crash diets." Your wife should consider that she is trying to permanently make changes to improve her health and increase her chances for a longer life, not just lose a few lbs on a "crash diet."

Best of all, think of how you will celebrate when the wgt. loss reduces or eliminates her GERD altogether!!

Good luck to you/her!
Posted 8/9/2014 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
One more thing I forgot to mention, FB.

Cutting my "typical" portion size in half worked wonders. Most of us Americans are unaware of how large the typical serving/meal size has grown. Over the last 30 years, restaurants and food manufacturers have deliberately "supersized" their menu items/products or added "all you can eat" buffets to boost profits. Unfortunately, consumers have followed suit and now unconsciously consume 50-75% more calories per meal than they did in the 70s and 80s.

Now, when I go to a restaurant, I always eat just half the food served and take the rest home for dinner. It reduces the calories I consume in a meal and also saves $$.
Posted 8/10/2014 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Halsty!
The liquid magnesium and enzymes have worked wonders for me, but I still had to lower my Prilosec. I was on Protonix a few months ago and my weight gain seemed worse on that. I was on 1200 calories a day, which normally would allow me to lose weight, but I was actually gaining weight! I cannot believe how bad the weight gain was! I feel much better now. I hope the enzymes and liquid magnesium work for you! Probiotics might be a good idea as well.
Posted 8/10/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey CosmicCat
I've been taking the enzymes for a few days now and cannot BELIEVE how good my stomach feels already.
Buying the magnesium today and will give you an update on those. Will also check out the Probiotics.
You have saved my life and my sanity my darling THANK YOU.
The weight gain IS a problem and I've recently dropped certain foods completely, butter, sugar, red meat, bread and swapped to low fat milk. I have managed to lose 3 kilos during the past 3 weeks. Have to wait now to see if that continues.
Posted 8/11/2014 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am SO happy to hear that! They have really helped me too! My stomach is getting much flatter. the directions say to take one a day. I have to admit I take around 5 a day, lol. It really helps!

I am really glad you are seeing improvement! Please do keep me posted!
Posted 8/11/2014 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
When I started Nexium my pharmacist asked if it made me feel hungry. It did. I was already trying to lose weight from having kid #4, and having an awful time.

I kick-started with South Beach Diet, then went to Weight Watchers. I didn't do the point counting, but got good results with the alternative program of just avoiding certain foods, basically carbs. I NEVER bought or ate the snack foods these programs sell! Grab a handful of raw almonds.

My latest secret though is simply not eating wheat, particularly bread. I also have gotten my really bad familial high cholesterol down to very good levels, and my cardiologist is quite pleased. I can feel my arteries unclogging! I can walk up hills without running short of breath - and it's not just from losing the weight.

It took me 3 years to lose 50 lbs, but I've been steady for the last 2, even though I can't exercise because of pain from accidents.
Posted 8/13/2014 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
First off I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the information. My wife and I were feeling quite lost and it is so nice to hear stories and advice. I know we have a lot of research to continue to look for. My wife will not be able to see her naturopath for a few weeks due to work but We are wondering if it is safe to try liquid magnesium and enzymes before the visit?
Posted 8/13/2014 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi FB
I have started taking these meds without even asking a Doctor or naturopath. I've mentioned alternatives to my GP some months ago and he called them 'magic potions ' take them if you want however they won't work he said. Think he needs to broaden his outlook. My stomach feels almost 100% better. The bloating and wind and general stomach and bowel discomfort all but gone. I am so naturally high I am alive again. I've even booked a south pacific cruise for 10 days, I feel so confident I will feel okay. Having said that, I cannot tell your wife to do the same. That would be negligence on my part. The choice is hers and she must feel safe to start them herself before she visits her naturopath. Depends also on what other medications she may be taking. Digestive enzymes, as far as I know, can be taken safely. Have a word with your local pharmacist they have a wealth of experience.
Posted 8/14/2014 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Halsty, are u only taking enzymes or are u taking enzymes and liquid magnesium. I noticed u were starting with enzymes did u notice a big difference with just that or putting both together, ( if that is what u r doing)?
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