Anyone else experience Weight Gain with long COVID?

I was prescribed a diuretic it took about a year but finally the “weight” is ANNOYINGLY coming off. It’s very slow. I’ve only lost about 10lbs of the 30 I gained. I have a scale that tells me my water % and when it’s up I know it’s inflammation.

Which scale do you have?

Yes! I have gained 37 pounds since last March. My eating patterns haven't changed. I'm 4 feet 11 inches and now weigh 137 pounds. I weighed 120 when I delivered my son . I have never been over that 120 before or after.
My average weight is 100 but my doctor is always concerned that I was too thin. Now I am actually fat.

I gained 38 pounds in 6 months following a severe LC flare up caused by exercising and low caloric dieting.
I would like to point out that the very things that are recommended to lose weight caused excessive weight gain!!
My face, upper body, legs, hands and feet all gained weight and edema. Shoes, clothes, and wedding ring no longer fit. Still don’t and it’s been a year since this “flare up”
I used to be very active, walking/hiking 2 hours every other day and doing yoga, golfing, etc. I’m a physical therapist and know my body and eat incredibly well.
LC definitely causes not just water retention gain but fat gain too that is resistant to behavioral changes such as diet and exercise.
I’ve tried everything, nothing is working… I’m 5’2” and used to weigh 145 with muscle, now I’m 183 bloated and increased fat.
I’ve read several studies showing viruses causing fat retention and gain. I’m thinking covid is one of these and hope more studies will be dedicated to understanding this, as well as getting everyone in the medical community onboard that this is a symptom of this disease instead of weight shaming or judging.

I ‘ve had cardiologists, primary care, and GI doctors all judging me, and telling me to try exercising and eat better, ugh, I wish doctors had better understanding and knowledge of this disease! It’s hard enough having your life completely change so quickly, and these judgements and poorly worded off-hand comments by health care professionals make one feel more isolated and alone without support.

I wish I had gained all of this from eating too much and being slovenly- then at least I would have enjoyed it! As well as could then change it

Yes, I’m too exhausted to even do activities of daily living, much less my old walks around the park, since early 2022. Unfortunately my appetite has not been affected and the steroid in my inhaler makes me hungry often, so I’ve gained 15 lbs.

I happened to find this thread after googling long COVID and weight gain. I've been seen by a number of doctors, run a number of tests and blood draws, and like so many others, no answers. No one can understand where the weight is coming from. I've had no change in diet, exercise. If anything this is triggering my eating disorder, and I've been restricting even more. I've gained almost 40 pounds in the last year or so. I currently have COVID yet again for the fifth time. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm on weightloss pills that have taken a few pounds off me, but now that I've been off them a few days, the weight is coming back. I just don't know what to do anymore.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! And I can totally relate and have no answers either. It’s super frustrating and it seems there’s nothing to be done.

I know there’s a lot of water retention with long COVID and hopefully one day more answers will come.

It is interesting that obesity is biological not behavioral as everyone believes and we’ve been told. Studies are showing viral activity changes adipose tissue causing increased fat stores and raising glucose levels. So far no studies are showing what can be done for these altered cells, unfortunately. But this also highlights how much of this is out of our control and not your fault or something you’re doing wrong.

@jaylanleigh Most weight loss science says the biggest component of weight loss amongst diet, exercise, and activity is surprisingly activity. Those who move around at work burn more calories than those that sit (and many studies say they are healthier). Those who move around at home burn more calories than sitting reading, watching TV, etc. What happens with LC? For me my activity level dropped (hey, we don't feel well, right) dramatically and yes I have added 20 pounds.

Yes, I have gained more than 40 lbs after having Covid 19 vaccines and a booster. I can’t lose wait, and my metabolism changed after Covid vaccines in 2021 and havin Covid in 2022.

Hello is your husband doing better, Did they find out why the sudden drop in weight. What meds did the doctor have him on? I hope all is well!!