Anyone else experience Weight Gain with long COVID?

Hi,
I’m 52 and have the same symptoms as you with 40 pound unexplainable weight gain. I was worked up for Cushing’s and other possibilities but nothing came back conclusive.

It’s been over a year now since the sudden weight gain. For me, my weight gain felt like I was blown up all over with puffiness. The worst was in my upper torso area….

I’m happy to report that my weight is slowly decreasing over the past 3 months. I’ve lost 25 pounds now. I still have 15 more to go and still have swelling in my fingers and ankles, and my breasts are still sooo big. But my “pregnant” looking stomach is getting better!

I attribute my weight loss to treatment of my gut. I’ve been on Rifaximin off and on for 2 months now. I was tested for SIBO and it came back positive. It seems that the Rifaximin alone doesn’t completely take care of things so I see my LC doc on Monday to hopefully hear about more things to try in combination. 🙏🏻

When I’m on antibiotics, I feel better- bloat, brain fog, heart palps, everything is better… then when I’m off, I slowly start feeling worse again. I also had improvement with Paxlovid. But not with valacyclovir.

I’m wondering if the virus is continuing to replicate in the gut bacteria and that’s why Paxlovid and the antibiotics for the gut help. It’s my theory…

Just thought I’d share as it might be helpful for you 😉

I know how frustrating it is to suddenly have all of the weight and unable to fit into clothes. It’s really hard on the self esteem!

Also, more activities and stress can cause cortisol spikes which may also be contributing to this weight gain… the very things that are said to lose weight can make you gain unfortunately. So if you’re pushing yourself too hard to lose, this might actually be a cause. Mine all got triggered by me working out too hard and restricting my calories. I think LC causes cortisol imbalances more easily.

I was about to post about the same type bed which I have. It has made a wonderful difference in my sleep as long as I have it elevated about 8 inches.

I understand as I am about to be 78. I keep pushing myself to take one more step to keep moving even when I feel like I'm about to drop.
I think it's helping a bit.

Yes - and it's all around my gut/stomach. Depending on the day, lots of constipation, urgency, unsatisfactory stools, etc. I have attributed the weight gain to lack of exercise. I have dealt with PEM since my acute COVID onset, August 2020. I've tried everything - colonoscopies, Bentyl, OTC stuff, prunes, diet change, etc. I'm currently trying Linzess for the second time. My daughter has SIBO and I know I should get tested for it, too. It's all very frustrating. Next week I'm starting yoga Nigra - you can look it up. The practitioner I'm seeing healed herself and is now a certified instructor. Good luck everyone.

I’m right there with you! I lost 30 lbs right before I got COVID and now I’m up 20 and completely frustrated. I calorie count and try to work out. My inflammation is off the charts. I have no idea what to do.

I’ve had LC for over a year. Have gained at least 20 lbs. Thought it was due to lack of any exercise or ability to even do basic walking around. Just one more ick side effect. May we all survive this and move on. Someday.

yes. figured it was due to being SOB, so unable to exercise. so sorry you're suffering.

I've had gained 10 lbs since Feb 17 and also have LC. I have forced myself to walk in multiple increment of 10 minutes in the house. It's a struggle and began with walking 60 second and adding another minute every few days. I am up to 2 to 3 10 minute sets. I have an endocrinologist who prescribed meds to help with my thyroid function which was destroyed by covid. Perhaps u can get help from an endo.

Thank you for your detailed description of your technique for gradually returning to exercise. I’m inspired and will keep your report in mind.