Unintentional weight loss???

[Kayanne1980]

Since Jan 10th 2019 I have lost 11lbs to date - I stopped drinking alcohol during the week about Feb/March time, drink weekends, does this cause weight loss of such amounts? I am still eating fine, its bugging me to extremes now that its all I think about - Has anyone had this from anxiety or stress?

[EleanorRose]

I remember you posting about this a little while ago.

Alcohol can definitely contribute to weight gain - I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘beer belly’ - it’s a phrase for a reason!

Therefore, it makes sense that if you have cut out a large amount of your alcohol consumption that you would lose weight.

If you’re having no issues with eating then it’s very unlikely this has a serious cause. Anxiety/stress can also cause weight loss although I believe that tends to be more because people lose their appetite and don’t each as much etc.

No harm in getting this checked out but I think it’s unlikely to be anything ‘bad’ and the decreased alcohol consumption is almost certainly a huge factor in this.

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

Thank you - yes I remember talking to you, sorry I started a new thread but I lost the previous one.....I am very scared of what this could be - I had an appointment with the Dr on Thursday this week but they have cancelledit grrrrrrr, now what do I do!

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

No worries! I have quite few threads about the same things.

Glad you made an appointment but how annoying it was cancelled. Definitely make another one to allow the doctors to put your mind at rest.

I know this is so easy for me to say but nothing you have said sounds alarming to me. I do think you need to see a doctor because this is causing you a lot of distress but I don’t think there is anything serious going on.

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

I have managed to get one tomorrow morning

[CatIsMyCopilot]

I lost a fair amount of weight due to loss of appetite. Even when my appetite came back, I was less of a emotional eater while anxious, which was more subtle i.e. I was again able to eat my meals, but I tended to make smaller ones, and I was snacking less. I guess these are positive things, heh, but they came with the anxiety. Could it be you are just subtly not as interested in food as before?

[Kayanne1980 in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Thanks for your reply - no I am eating exactly the same as what I always have (if not more) so not quite understanding why! Its probaby something increasing my metabolism, I am utterly petrified of what this could be.......

[hypercat54]

Alcohol has lots of calories so it is completely normal to lose as much weight as this from cutting right back. I have heard there are about 300 calaories in a pint of lager or beer so this makes sense.

This is the reason why you have lost weight. To put it into perspective it's only 11 lbs which is less than a stone. Around 9 pints you have cut out equals about 1 lb. Doctors are only concerned if there is unexplained weight loss. x

[Kayanne1980 in reply to hypercat54]

Does it matter if I though still drink alcohol during weekends? I haven’t cut it out completely. I used to drink maybe 2-3 bottles Prosecco Mon- Thu now i drink that a weekend (sometimes)

[hypercat54 in reply to Kayanne1980]

google.com/search?q=how+man...

[Kayanne1980 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you - going to the Dr tomorrow morning to have a chat about it and see what he suggests, what makes me worry too is that my bathroom habits have become a little weird also, which is making me worry now even more!

[kenster1]

hi I used to drink everyday for about nine ten years at that time it was mainly cider and I was up to 16 stone.after I cut back to once a fortnight I went down to 11 stone not sure if it was cutting back alcohol but I was told it maybe depression/anxiety related plus im more active as well.

[Kayanne1980]

So I went to the Dr - he has ordered a series of blood tests including CA125, Thyroid and the standard FBC, Kidney & liver function tests, in addition to this ordered a chest xray, pelvic ultasound and bowel screening test.....GREAT!

He said my weight should have evened out by now hence why all the tests, he did not seem overly concerned, ME - SCARED TO DEATH!

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

It doesn't feel like it but the tests are a good thing.

If there is anything wrong (which doesn't mean seriously wrong) it can be treated and if there isn't, your mind will be put at rest. If you'd been fobbed off and just told you were ok, would you actually feel less anxious? Probably not. This will give you the evidence you need to show you're ok.

It's natural you're scared - you probably could have guessed that would be your reaction but try to take comfort from the fact the doctor didn't seem worried. The doctor clearly wasn't thinking, "This definitely sounds like you have …" , because if it did, they wouldn't have ordered so many different tests.

This is a positive and you can't change the outcome so try not to be afraid of the tests.

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

Thanks - I knew before I saw him he would order tests as thats the kind of Dr he is - you right if he would have just said 'no its anxiety' I would be sitting here typing, why didnt he at least do something, its the amount of tests he has requested thats freaking me out to be honest but they need to be done, I go on holiday in 4 weeks time, really dont want to be worrying while I am on holiday - my head feels heavy with worry, how can I 'survive wihtout anxiousness' until this is all over and we have a reasonable explaination!

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

This is all positive. It’s always hard not to worry about our health but you will get through this and have a great holiday ☺️

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

Gone for the chest xray and bloods this morning - now I just wait for that dreaded phonecall!!! Scared out of my mind with worry....

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

What will be will be. It is scary but no amount of worry can change the result so try to carry on with your weekend as normal. Results can take a while sometimes, especially when everything is ok. Equally, sometimes results are quick if departments aren’t busy etc/they’re being kind because they know you’re worried. So try not to read too much into anything, you’ve just got to wait it out. It’s great you’ve had it done and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for good results for you. 🤞🏼

Do let us know how it goes and remember everyone is here for you, whatever the outcome.

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

My bloods have come back normal but borderline low on phosphate, the Dr wants a repeat on this test, dont think its bad, what do you think?

My chest xray is normal also. Just sent my bowel test back looking for microscopic blood so.......fits all still a massive worry for me... Do you think if bloods are returned normal its a good sign?

[EleanorRose]

Normal bloods is good - sounds to me like he just wants a repeat on the test because it’s borderline and wants to be sure. They wouldn’t want to give you something to increase your phosphates if it’s not actually low, for instance.

I understand why it’s worrying but you haven’t had any bad news. What you know is the tests that have been analysed so far are all good and you’re still waiting for the rest to be returned. Nothing bad or concerning.

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

Hi again

My bowel test has been returned as negative for presence of blood

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

Great news!

[Kayanne1980 in reply to EleanorRose]

And gained about 4lbs

[EleanorRose in reply to Kayanne1980]

I’m so pleased things have worked out well for you! I hope you can start to relax a little and can work on your anxiety.

[Kayanne1980]

Will have to wait and see what it comes back with - I havent weighed myself for a week now as too scared and quite frankly I am fed up of it