Swelling and weight gain problems

Lil Liz E · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2007, 07:43 PM

I am hoping someone can help seeing as all of the many doctors I have consulted have no idea what is going on with me. I have over I guess a 4 month period gained an excessive amount of weight.
Last January i was diagnosed with anorexia. I have never really had very good control of my diabetes until just recently (18 months or so). I went to the hospital last January due to extreme swelling in my legs and feet. Also in my face. At that time i was approximately 90 lbs. They did all of the blood work. Kidneys were fine, heart was fine there was no explanation except my protein levels were low (due to the eating disorder). I started keeping really tight control and the swelling seemed to subside. I was then a few months later diagnosed with clinical depression and obsessive compulsive disorder and put on an antidepressant.
Everything was fine until October I guess. I was jogging had a very low BG and ended up falling and hitting my head a number of times causing a severe concussion. I was then put on another antidepressant due to head pain. With in a couple of weeks I had put on over 35 lbs. (I had recovered from the eating disorder and was up to 125 lbs before the concussion - the proper weight for my age and height). I am now pushing 160 I have never been this big in my life. The swelling in my legs has come back and I have a very hard time bending my legs. I am just wondering if anyone has had any problems similar to this or has any idea of what might be going on. I eat healthy, exercise 40 mins to 1 hr 4-5 days a week both cardio and muscle training.
My doctor has taken me off all meds except celexa but she has cut the dose in half. Please help...I have never felt so horrible.

NoraWI · #2 (**permalink**) 12-29-2007, 03:43 AM

I am sorry, Liz, but I have no idea. Have you looked at the side effects listed for the Celexa? That amount of weight gain is definitely not right. Since you experience swelling in the legs and feet, it seems to be retained water (edema)? What does your doctor say?

Lil Liz E · #3 (**permalink**) 12-29-2007, 09:56 AM

Thanks Nora
My doctor seems to always think it is my kidneys. Yet all of my blood work and urine tests come back normal. She has no idea and neither do any doctors I have seen in the ER. The swelling gets so bad sometimes I have difficulty walking. I work out all of the time which seems to loosen things up for me a bit but it still really stinks. With the swelling and the weight gain I can't fit into anything I own unless it is track pants. It is really frustrating.
My doctor put me on diuretics but they didn't help either. What is going on with me?

bluesgirl102 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-29-2007, 12:54 PM

Liz,

My sister experienced something similar. It was a circulatory issue it turned out.

markr · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 01:37 AM

I might be able to help you. I have lymphadema in my right leg. The doctors have no idea what caused it. It came on suddenly when I was 28 years old (on my honeymoon). Five years later I got divorced, but I still have the lymphadema.

There is very little to do to treat this, but at least for me, I do not have any pain and I have learned to live with it. If you need more info, let me know. Good luck.

Mark

Emm · #6 (**permalink**) 12-30-2007, 03:46 AM

I don't have any answers, but I am going through the same thing. Some days my swelling is so bad I can't wear my normal clothes, can't bend my legs, and everything starts hurting.

Doctors have found no reason for it - in fact, they've swept it under the carpet. I've been talking to doctors about this for years - even before I was diagnosed with Diabetes - but they don't seem to care too much about it and mostly blame it on my D nowadays. *sigh*

My latest theory is gluten intolerance or something food related - because when I eat really well for a few days it seems to go away. It's a little early to say for sure if I'm right, but it's worth a shot.

I think a lot of people with diabetes learn not to trust doctors too much... we really do have to find our own answers. So keep asking questions, keep trying new things, and definitely try cutting un-natural foods from your diet for a few days at a time just in case. (things like milk products, then breads, then colourings... or whatever you think might be to blame).

Good luck...