Anyone with endo struggling with weight gain and not being able to loose it ? I have put two stone on in a 1 year. tried all the diets.

[Scolyn1]

Just can't seem to shift the weight

[Boo73]

Sounds like me, not had lap yet but been suffering for years. I get down to a certain weight but can't get below at all no matter how hard I try

[Hidden]

Yep!! I constantly look 9 months pregnant

Find it so hard to shift!

[Charliechocolate]

I know I have the word chocolate in my name but I very raely touch the stuff and I cannot seem to shift the weight and keep it off! I can lose a stone and then the body after a few weeks climbs back up again. I am incredibly healthy and do not warrant the weight I am. I can so relate to this? X

[Foxey1]

I've got endo had lap in June 2012 then was put on Zoladex for 6 months as the endo had spread onto my bowel. I have put on 3 stone and like the rest of you manage to lose 7lb then put it on again I've been to boot camps, juice retreats I've tried every diet going from high protein and now on vegan but have only just started. Unfortunately I'm not much help but there must be someone out there who can help us!!!!! Due to the increase in weight I've now got diabetes Type 2 things are really quite miserable

I'll let you know if this vegan diet works

[Hidden]

I've always been a comfort eater but when I first started with HORRENDOUS endo related bowel pain I started on the endo diet not to losse weight but because I had to find some way of getting some control over my pain. As a result I have lost nearly 2 stone. I was overweight and now have a healthy BMI. It also has an impact of my pain & bleeding so it has killed two birds with one stone so to speak.

[Scolyn1 in reply to Hidden]

Where could i get information about the endo diet? Thank you for reply x

[Hidden in reply to Scolyn1]

The website is called endo resolved. I think the ladies name is Caroline Levitt.

[Hidden]

I'm the same. The specialist blamed my extreme fatigue on my excess weight!

I wanted to say that if I wasn't in pain and so knackered all the time. I would exercise more.

Best wishes

Barbara x

[Hidden]

This happened to me. I went from 7.5stone to 12stone However, I recently (15th Jan 2014) a total hysterectomy and endo excision, and the weight has been dropping off me ever since, even though I haven't changed my eating habits or been able to do any exercise as of yet!

[Charliechocolate in reply to Hidden]

How are you doing after your hysterectomy ? Hope you are starting to feel better. I'm going on the waiting list for one - are you happy you went for it? The weight loss sounds great bonus. Hope u r ok xxx

[Hidden in reply to Charliechocolate]

I'm only 8 weeks post-op but I am feeling fantastic compared to how I was before the operation. I haven't had to take any painkillers whatsoever in the past 7 weeks, so yes, so far having the operation was definitely the right choice for me. I am an extremely maternal person and always have flocks of other peoples children around me so I am still trying to come to terms with not being able to have my own children, however I know that further down the recovery line I can possibly go into fostering and adoption options. Please keep me posted as to when you operation is and if you need to chat you can always contact me. xxx

[Charliechocolate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your lovely reply - it has brought tears to my eyes. It's so tough but with energy we have nothing anyway. I think you have most certainly made the bravest and best decision and I too have made this choice. I can't go on feeling up and down, in and out of pain etc any longer - there comes a time when enough really is ENOUGH - that time is here NOW. I'm going to embrace it and fit for fitness - I will keep you posted and I hope you go from strength to strength xxxxx thank you

[Charliechocolate in reply to Charliechocolate]

I meant fight for fitness! It's my slogan!

[Hidden in reply to Charliechocolate]

I love your slogan We will both go from strength to strength xxx

[claire56]

Yes tried all diets just lost 1 stone on slim fast two shakes a day 3 slim fast snacks and fruit a day and also one healthy meal like fish or chicken and veg for tea or home made pizza using lots of veg i also try to walking on treadmill for one hour 30 minutes 3 times a week just set it up hill and walk i read mags or book while am on there, hope this helps

[Scooteeder]

Hi,

Just returned from Hospital - had a fourth lap on Monday... I fear, therefore, that this will be FAR from my usual quality of answer. Still, I'll try to help if I can...

As you may have gathered, I have Endo. Personally (and this IS just MY opinion) I believe that it can cause you to put weight on. I've put weight on myself, to an extent that I feel unhappy about. I agree, that once there, the weight is not easy to lose again.

I reckon there are a few reasons why Endo may be linked to weight gain, as follows:

1. Growths of Endo are womb lining tissue that are in the wrong place. They act just like the lining of the womb, and bleed during every period. However, they are in the wrong place, and so any blood has no way of escaping the body. This, along with the growth itself, can lead to inflammation and irritation of the tissue surrounding the growth. You end up with chronic inflammation, as Endo is hard to get rid of. Chronic inflammation can cause the body to release a STRESS hormone, called CORTISOL - the trouble is that Cortisol also directly influences your INSULIN LEVELS and your METABOLISM. This can cause some people to gain weight (perhaps by triggering "comfort eating", or by slowing the metabolism, making it harder to lose any weight gained). For more information, please see the following article -

womentowomen.com/inflammati...

2. Endo can go "hand in hand" with other diseases that can also lead to weight gain; possibly because of the chronic inflammation/Cortisol link. Like I said, Cortisol is a stress hormone, that, once released, triggers many changes in the body. It sadly, can also have a very negative effect on the IMMUNE SYSTEM in the long term. This may be why there are suggestions that Endo is an "auto immune" disease; and why Endo often exists alongside other auto immune illnesses. It is much more common for people with Endo to have other illnesses such as LUPUS, or M.E., or FIBROMYALGIA... and many more, ALL of which are believed to be auto immune. Sadly, these illnesses can be linked to weight gain because they cause chronic fatigue and persistent pain (as does Endo itself). Once you feel tired and achy all the time, the last thing you feel like doing is going to the Gym, or exercising! For more information, please see the following -

endo-resolved.com/autoimmun...

nih.gov/news/pr/sep2002/nic...

3. Endo may be related to, or even caused by, a problem called OESTROGEN DOMINANCE. This is basically an imbalance of the Hormones Oestrogen and Progesterone (you have TOO MUCH Oestrogen). In a healthy person, the two hormones balance each other out. In somebody with Oestrogen Dominance, all sorts of problems can arise, including mood swings, fatigue, dry and blemished skin, WEIGHT GAIN... it is thought that Oestrogen Dominance may cause symptoms very similar to PMS (or even BE the dreaded PMS!). Oestrogen Dominance can be the result of taking unnatural female hormones, such as THE PILL, THE MIRENA and other treatments that are used for Endo. It can also have dietary causes. For more information, please see -

hormonalharmony.co.uk/why-you-may-be-oestrogen-dominant/

4. Treatments for Endo can have the unwanted side-effects of bloating and weight gain. These can include the PILL, the MIRENA, things like ZOLADEX or PROSTRAP. This is because they include unnatural female hormones to fool our bodies into thinking we are pregnant, or menopausal.

I don't think there is any simple answer - it's almost a vicious cycle. We need to be relieved of Endo symptoms, but this often means taking tablets that cause weight gain by pumping us full of fake hormones. Also, Endo seems to be self-sustaining, in that it creates its own environment in which to grow. By causing release of Cortisol, it weakens the immune system, which may actually prevent the body fighting off further growth of Endo. In the meantime, the Cortisol released is also messing with our metabolism, and making us fat(ter). Yep! Endo is a true nightmare!

I can, however, understand why weight control is so important. Our body shape and weight is so closely linked to how we see ourselves, and how we feel about ourselves - linked to our femininity, and whether we feel attractive or not. For even the tiniest of women, gaining weight and not being able to lose it feels like a threat to self-esteem. It is a loss of control. Besides, nowadays, society is SO CRITICAL of women's weight. If you put weight on, and it is noticeable, you often face unpleasant comments.

What can I suggest? Well, for one thing, this is MY opinion, and so I don't know if it's right. Nobody reading this is obliged to act on anything I say... just read, and make your minds up for yourselves!

You could try the Endo diet... for information, see endo-resolved.com.diet.html

You could ask your G.P. to check out your hormone levels to see if they are all in balance.

You could try to find alternative ways of treating your Endo that do not involve using fake hormones, e.g. avoid the Pill, etc. This may not be easy, and you will need to consult with your Doctors to find the most appropriate solution to suit you.

You could try joining a slimming club, so that you are in the same boat as other women who can support and motivate you to lose weight.

You could try exercising with family and friends, again so you have some moral support. Studies show that people who exercise and diet together stay more focussed and motivated. Besides, you WANT and NEED people around you to be supportive and understanding. If pain and tiredness are problems, just try gentle exercise and work up from this. Walking, swimming (very good, as it is non weight bearing), Yoga, Pilates... things like this. If you are thinking about starting a new exercise regime, discuss this with your Doctor(s) because they can work out what is safe for you to do, and may be able to advise on how to start. Besides, there is a lot of dispute about how much exercise we actually need per week - it may be individual to you.

Other than that, it's over to you... You may want to discuss with people close to you how you feel about your weight gain, so that they understand the impact on you, and see why you need support. Many people try to be well-wishing, and tell you that you look "fine" even when you don't feel it. If they understand your perspective, they may find more appropriate ways of being supportive.

I guess that's pretty much all I can think of. Just make sure you are surrounded by people who genuinely care, and are supportive. Don't blame yourself - you did NOT ask for Endo or weight gain. Take things slowly; don't seek "miracle cures" - diet pills and weight loss surgery can be VERY BAD IDEAS. People have DIED as a result, due to surgical complications. Besides, many people still gain weight after using such "gimmicks" (Diet Pills have been found to contain amphetamines {"Speed"} - NOT GOOD!). Slow, steady weight loss is better - NO "yoyo" dieting!

Get as clued up as you can about your Endo and its treatment. Stay in control, and become as involved as you can in decision-making. Other than that, just live your life knowing you are strong, you are coping with something you didn't ask for... you are still here, and you are still LIVING as full a life as you can. ALWAYS REMEMBER THOSE WHO LOVE YOU!

Hope this helps, for what it's worth. Wishing you all the very best.

Take care of yourself,

Elaine Ellis.

P.s. Sorry about the long reply... PROOF (if ever it were needed!) that I am somewhat of a "geek"... Still "researching" Endo whilst recovering at home... Time on my hands... NOT good!

[Charliechocolate]

Just thought I would let you know just incase u haven't got it. Henrietta Norton book take control of yr endo is fab! I have just started her kick start diet .... So will let u know how I go.

[Jofus89]

March 20 last year I was 10st 11lb. Since my lap in April and all the cock ups and treatments iv been on I'm now 15st and hating myself. I eat right, I don't binge and I exercise when I'm not in pain but I can't shift it. Iv had 2 prostap injections and iv put on half a stone with each one. Not only that but only one breast has grown with my weight gain

So unhappy. I wish the drs knew more so could help us more x