Can having a stroke make you gain weight

I actually lost weight after my stroke. I just did not want to eat.

However, my lack of mobility in the ensuing years makes me gain weight quickly if I'm not careful.

I still get weird cravings -- for a while, I couldn't get enough Cap'n Crunch; then it was canned peaches; next it was salads; now it's peanut butter.

For me, the trick is to move more, even just getting up and moving around the house a lot. (It's very hot here in Texas, and going out to walk is suicidal.)

Have you tried online exercise classes? YouTube has tons of that stuff. You don't have to be athletic, just do what you can. You'll feel better anyway.

Good luck!

Having a stroke can slow you down. I mean, it depends on the "residuals of stroke." If your life becomes more sedentary, sure that's gonna put pounds on if you still eat as much. It was true for me, even when my life turned not the least bit sedentary anymore, but I worked hard, and food supplies were plentiful, so I ate a lot more. Some people have serious issues with depression after physical disabling. Food and sadness seems to go together then.

I gained a bunch of weight after my strokes in November of last year. The stroke didn’t cause me to gain weight my own stupidity did. I figured since I was still alive I could eat whatever I wanted. That was not the case. I use a Weight loss app, which is free, called LoseIt, that I’ve had good success with. You basically track everything you eat. I’ve lost 20 pounds in 2 1/2 months. I decided living a better healthy is a better option than eating myself to death. Good luck in your journey. It is possible to lose weight after a stroke.

Thanks you for your response but I did not change my eating habits. In doing more research it could be a medication that I am taking. It states it can cause weight gain. I also found my hair was falling out yet another side effect of the same medication Lyrica. There are a couple more I need to discuss with my doctor.

These are some possible reasons but many of them are not likely. You can manage this and lose it.

1. **Reduced Mobility**: Decreased physical activity post-stroke can lead to weight gain due to lower calorie expenditure.

2. **Medication Side Effects**: Some stroke-related medications can have side effects that cause weight gain.

3. **Altered Perception of Hunger and Satiety**: Damage to brain regions that regulate hunger and fullness can disrupt normal appetite signals, leading to overeating.

4. **Emotional and Cognitive Changes**: Depression, anxiety, or cognitive impairments after a stroke can lead to emotional eating or difficulty controlling food intake. Also would think stress can be a factor.

5. **Metabolism Changes**: A stroke may alter the brain's regulation of metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain.

6. **Changes in Taste and Smell**: Stroke-related changes in taste and smell can affect food preferences and lead to higher calorie intake.

7. **Reduced Muscle Mass**: Loss of muscle mass from inactivity can lower metabolic rate, making weight gain more likely.