Does Anyone Else Have Unintentional Weight Loss?

[SeanCharles]

I do have weight issues which are medically explained somewhat because of my over worked thyroid. This medical condition came during a physical exam with my GP.

Evidently I did find that my previous anti-seizure med may have been the result as a result of misdiagnosis. If you haven't read my previous posts or my diary, I have unexplained seizures which I think are related to my ptsd and not epilepsy. I am hopefully going to confirm this hypothesis I have based on research I have done since I had a seizure at work last year. That episode got to me doing research and in the process, I found this forum!. Dunno if this counts.

 

[InsideAWord]

I lost 30 pounds because I couldn't eat nor hold down food after my trauma, but the various antipsychotics I took made me gain some of the weight back. I'm working out now to make sure I just am healthy.

 

[fly away home]

Um yes I've lost weight. Not through dieting consciously but from not being able to eat. Much like all the other posters. I've just lost my appetite and when stressed it gets even worse. The sad part is that I love food and cooking I just have no desire to eat.

 

[bluelicorice]

Wow, I didn't have time to come back here yesterday and read everything fully, but thanks for all the great replies. I'm sorry you are all having the same issue as me but its also so good to know that I'm not alone in this weight struggle. I really had no idea how common it was, whether from an ED, anxiety, medication or whatnot. Thanks so much to everyone!

 

[cherryblossom]

I have lost a couple of stone (28 pounds) over the last 5-6 weeks, just because of stress and loosing my appetite.

However, I'm overweight, so it's certainly not a problem (yet). It's quite strange for me, because I love food (hence why I'm overweight!), and have also been inclined to comfort eat (when depressed) in the past.

However, at the moment, because of stress and anxiety, I just feel physically sick most of the time, so I simply don't eat. If I do eat, I retch and vomit, which isn't really an option at work.

 

[bluelicorice]

@cherryblossom, wow, that's a lot to lose in 6 weeks! I was overweight too when I started losing (not anymore though!) and I also used to eat for comfort and love food. Its a strange transition. Honestly I wish I could back to normal eating and lose the weight in a more healthy fashion. Good luck to you!

 

[cherryblossom]

that's a lot to lose in 6 weeks!

Yes, I know. I know it's not a healthy amount, but I also know that being overweight, if you suddenly stop eating, you lose a lot of weight quite quickly. I'm not saying that's good, but I'm also not overly concerned by the loss (except my jeans keep working their way downwards - that's a bit of a worry when I'm out and about!)

I try to drink fruit juice to at least get some calories and vitamins. I also try to relax and unwind at the end of the day and cook something healthy (chicken stir fry or some tuna and tomato pasta). I think maybe the smells from cooking will help to make me hungry, but I still don't always eat much.

I think it was Friday. I actually felt hungry for the first time in weeks. I ordered a pizza, ate one slice and then felt sick.

I know the solution - work on reducing my stress levels. Simple really :confused:

 

[bluelicorice]

Yes, I know. I know it's not a healthy amount, but I also know that being overweight, if you suddenly stop eating, you lose a lot of weight quite quickly.

Yes that's a good point, I guess you're right. I'm remembering now that when I first starting losing, I lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks. After that my weight loss has been steady but has slowed down considerably.

except my jeans keep working their way downwards - that's a bit of a worry when I'm out and about!

Haha thanks for the laugh! This is so true of me also! :)

 

[Mollydolly]

Hi everyone.. I have just been told I have PTSD and I lost so much weight, I went down to 37 kilos dangerously low.. I am tiny anyway but it was not good. it is slowly coming back now thank God.. It is comforting to know there is other people who are feeling the same way, I thought I was going insane alone in the World..

MollyDolly...

 

[ReachingOutJ]

I lost 40 lbs in two months, from stress and loss of appetite; verbally and emotionally abusive family and partner, sleep apnea, and gastric surgery triggered my PTSD. I now have a fear of eating, and I have to pretty much force myself to do it.

 

[Stepheroth]

Oh, I am so relieved to I found this thread! I have suffered most of my life with childhood trauma related PTSD and hypervigilance, as well as a panic disorder that up until I had my son ( best miracle ever!) was relatively managed. I have gone from having an average weight of about 135/40 at 5'1 to now a high of 100 pounds and absolutely incapable of gaining weight. When I have a panic attack, which very annoyingly is multiple times a day for no damn reason, food makes me nauseous, save protein shakes. I have no appetite and usually figure out I'm hungry because I feel sick, so try and force food down every few hours regardless. It doesn't help that I mostly only crave fruits and vegetables and chicken and fish. usually when my husband gets off work, bless his heart, he tries to buy me things like milkshakes and french fries and giant cheeseburgers, but to no avail. Which sucks because being small maybe aesthetically pleasing for some people, my husband likes me 'curvy and grabable', whereas I am now more shaped like a gymnast. Totally not the same thing.. I find that I am able to digest soy protein shakes a little easier, so I usually go for a bland protein shake or chocolate. I have added olive oil to most of my meals ( I home cook most all of our meals, which are healthy and nutritious. my husband just likes to bring me fatty comfort foods in efforts to help me gain weight) and have switched ahigh protein / medium carb diet to a high carb / high protein / high fat diet, which has brought me up to 100 pounds. I also have discontinued any high intensity exercises and sadly, have had to stop running..So basically, if you are anything like me, other than identifying your triggers and symptom management through therapy and such, you pretty much just become that 'skinny bitch who can eat everything and is annoyingly nice' who secretly just had 5 panic attacks just trying to leave the house, and become lobster red with sweaty hot flashes and rambling like an idiot because someone tried to engage her in conversation, lol.

 

[JessNoOne]

Suddenly, my life makes sense. I have always been a thin person due to genetics... BUT with the stress and anxiety I constantly experience, especially when in crisis mode it is extremely hard to eat as many of you have mentioned. Sometimes I will live off of Ensure or Orgain shakes. I hate doing this but my stomach gets so knotted up, I literally have no appetite and I hate when this happens because I will lose weight and I become extremely insecure about my appearance. People have accused me of having an eating disorder before and I guess that I do, but it's not because I think that I'm fat. I want badly to gain weight and to look healthier. It's just a combination of already being thin... losing 5 or 10lbs can be dangerous for someone with my body type. This is one of the most upsetting things to deal with because if I could eat normally I would.