Posted on 11/16/2023 6:38:04 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
Freepers, need your help. Does anyone on here have a family member or friend who has gained massive weight and excessive overeating is NOT causing it. I have great 2nd cousin-in-law who is approaching 500lbs, has always been a bit heavy, but not THAT heavy.
Recently had massive water retention and went from 275-300 lbs to 500lbs, resulting in an ER trip. He and the wife have been to around 20 doctors in the metroplex (Dallas-Fort Worth) who have run a myriad of tests, found that his heart is fine, his cholesterol and blood pressure are normal, no diabetes and no signs of cause for this massive weight gain. Doctors keep telling him he's overeating, but that is not happening, not enough to have that kind of weight gain.
Has anyone had a similar experience and found a cause? I know a lot of very knowledgeable people post here and asking for help. Please, no mockery, this is serious and they really do NOT know what is happening and they haven't found a doctor who knows either. I told my cousin to take him right away to a research hospital like Baylor or Vanderbilt. Thanks in advance.
My guess, too. Kidney failure. Liquid intake can only be taken off by UF in dialysis.
Thyroid is the most common reason.
I had one patient who gained 100 pounds and she has an Insulinoma.
Try an endocrinologist.
I know someone like that. She was gaining weight while her daughter was losing weight - same diet, same walks everyday to hold each other accountable. It just didn’t make sense.
She finally confessed to having chocolate in her nightstand drawer. Lots of chocolate, and constantly replenished.
Thank you!
A friend of mine dropped a lot of weight like that and ended up having to have her gallbladder removed in emergency surgery. Quick weight loss can sometimes cause gallstones.
In the long run, losing excess weight can help people with obesity lower their risk of developing gallstones. However, while in the process of rapid weight loss, gallstones can develop for the same reasons as obesity — it alters the balance of cholesterol, lecithin, and bile acids, and affects gallbladder function.
““Additionally, during rapid weight loss, hypotonia of the gallbladder can make it function poorly, so bile stays in it, gets stagnant, crystallizes, and forms stones,” Dr. Ahmed says. “As more cholesterol is getting excreted, the bile becomes super-saturated and the gallbladder emptying being less effective, leading to stones.””
I’ve done it without gallstones or other ill effect. All benefit. I actually think that an otherwise healthy person doing what I outlined (with the addition of lots of salad vegetables w/o sugary or processed dressing - I forget to mention this) is unlikely to get gallstones. Hey this is free advice FWIW so take it or leave it. But a dude this heavy is at risk of many, many bad things so personally I would say he needs rapid weight loss pronto. If he listens to the go-slow approach of mainstream medicine, it will take him years and I would fear that he does not have that long.
Doctors really don’t consider the side effects of the medications they prescribe, tunnel vision I guess. I’ve found that a good pharmacist is much more knowledgeable.
I’ve always kept my junk food to a minimum but if I wanted a burger or pizza I would get it. Since my wife passed away in 2016 I’ve stayed away from pies and cakes. Haven’t eaten any candy except for three or four Milky Way bars a year in ages.
I think over medication is a large part of the obesity problem, outside of a certain demographic. Everyone seems to be taking some medication for something these days. We need to look at the side effects.
If this were a House episode, it would definitely be a tumor on his pituitary gland, or even lung cancer.
Sounds like lymphedema. Tell him to go to a massage therapist or a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema treatment. They can help to mobilize the lymphatic fluid trapped in the tissues so that his body can get rid of it.
Mrs AV
Basically no one can make body mass out of air. So, patients extra weight could be due to too much fluid, but that would show up with measurement of electrolytes and other components of blood. Examination of patient would show edematous areas of excess fluid. Like in the feet, shins, lower back. Most times, that is difficult to see while person is morbidly obese. While in hospital, measurements of fluid intake and output and weight gain or loss with a controlled diet would help in diagnosis. Giving patient diuretic could help remove excess fluid.
If your relationship doesn’t describe their experiences while at the doctors my guess is that that person is a poor historian. Seeing 20 doctors as you report is an indicator of that the patient is not benefitting from professional help, and maybe looking for a diagnosis.
First step. Control food and fluid intake. Second step. Review all medical diagnostic tests with a consultant physician who will explain why the diagnosis is as it is. Maybe even suggest new tests. 3rd step: consider that patient cannot understand their condition, or is in denial, or has a behavioural problem.
I know 3 people who are morbidly obese. One is a cardiac nurse. None of them think that food intake is a problem with them....you ever wonder why in times of famine there are no obese people walking around? You ever see some guy sitting under a tree rolling around in fat, telling an interviewer, “I can’t figure it out, I only eat a stalk of celery and a bug per day, and I still am obese while everyone else is a walking skeleton”? Endocrine excuses only go so far. Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism would show other physical symptoms. Good luck. It is very difficult to treat morbidly obese. If they have a code blue , intravenous drugs cannot be given cause there is no way to isolate a vein without a “cut down” and that can take too long in an emergency situation. Intratracheal administration of drugs is not reliable.
Cold fact to consider: How many morbidly obese people do you see walking around , without a medical condition, over 60 years old?
The “massive water retention” can be a few things - but it still take calories to keep that weight on - 275-300 lbs before the problem may be a big part of the problem.
“People can have endocrine and all sorts of other problems that make them sensitive to various foods and unable to process them as others do.”
Which affects their ability to burn calories. The rate at which we burn calories varies by individual...and can vary in the same individual due to internal and external factors.
That’s why it’s necessary to adjust your intake.
I own a grocery store. Its the food. 90% of it sucks in multiple ways.
Good thread.
“Metabolism has a lot to do with it……it’s not always the calories”
It’s always calories. Metabolism means converting food to energy, or fat. So the problem is always the input to the metabolic process, too much food.
Well a 300 pound tumor would be easily ascertained
Contrary to popular wisdom here
Endocrine disorders can’t put on over 25-30% at most
I know this having graves and empty sella in my 30s
Weight is 85% what you take in versus what u burn in activity
For most that’s 2500-3000 calories a day maintenance intake
That level of obesity has psychological roots usually
Id start there
There are meds can help but 500 lbs sounds like it needs intervention
Not for that much weight
Not for that much weight
No way
Water retention can def add 70 pounds or so
I’ve seen folks on lasix drip bag drop huge water in 4-5 days on a lasix
Congestive heart failure is a common culprit on fluid retention
Do they also have an incessant cough?
Those are the two main causes that I could find.
It’s probably a multitude of causes, so they will have to tackle each on individually.
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