1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

Anyone else experience Weight Gain with long COVID?

Posted by RMS @rinadbq, Oct 8, 2021

I have had ~30 pound weight gain since November 2020 when I initially had COVID. It seems disproportionate to my calorie intake. Any one else with this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

jordansheryl | @jordansheryl | Jul 7, 2022
In reply to @rmfe "2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds -..." + (show)
@rmfe

2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds - Dr's have no idea of what triggered this and I have been on lasix to loose the " water weight gain". I am an active very fit 61 year old male. has anyone else had similar issues

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Hi, I’m 10 months post Covid. I was very active and now have no energy. I’ve gained 15 pounds. I’m in the long Covid clinic and am hoping that I will get some info at my follow up appts this month.

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alexav | @alexav | Jul 29, 2022
In reply to @rmfe "2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds -..." + (show)
@rmfe

2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds - Dr's have no idea of what triggered this and I have been on lasix to loose the " water weight gain". I am an active very fit 61 year old male. has anyone else had similar issues

Jump to this post

Finally I find experiences I can relate to.

I am a healthy middle age female and I've always been on the same weight all my teen-adult life. I did exercise regularly and even lost pregnancy weight pretty quickly after having my kid. I never got tested for Covid but my husband did (he had it twice, different years). I only had a bad cough just for one day, no other symptoms so I assumed I never had it but then the extreme fatigue and headaches started and lasted for like 6 months or more, I also had extreme back pain, maybe kidney stuff? At the same time I started gaining weight very fast (40pounds in 2 months) and have been unable to lose it despite eating extremely healthy and swimming 3 times per week. Like if I move away from the routine, weight starts building up again. I have tested my blood, thyroid, hormonal profile, kidneys and all comes back normal. It really scares me, I have reached 165 pounds in 4 months when I have forever been around 110. Currently even if I try, I cannot exercise the way I used to or I become extremely fatigue, its like my metabolism got screwed.

I was also discussing this with a friend of mine and says she is in a similar situation (she has always been very slim until recent months) she also relates her weight gain with Covid...

I hope this gets investigated to find the cause of it. It really sucks to have no control over my weight anymore.

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3 replies
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jul 30, 2022
In reply to @alexav "Finally I find experiences I can relate to. I am a healthy middle age female and..." + (show)
@alexav

Finally I find experiences I can relate to.

I am a healthy middle age female and I've always been on the same weight all my teen-adult life. I did exercise regularly and even lost pregnancy weight pretty quickly after having my kid. I never got tested for Covid but my husband did (he had it twice, different years). I only had a bad cough just for one day, no other symptoms so I assumed I never had it but then the extreme fatigue and headaches started and lasted for like 6 months or more, I also had extreme back pain, maybe kidney stuff? At the same time I started gaining weight very fast (40pounds in 2 months) and have been unable to lose it despite eating extremely healthy and swimming 3 times per week. Like if I move away from the routine, weight starts building up again. I have tested my blood, thyroid, hormonal profile, kidneys and all comes back normal. It really scares me, I have reached 165 pounds in 4 months when I have forever been around 110. Currently even if I try, I cannot exercise the way I used to or I become extremely fatigue, its like my metabolism got screwed.

I was also discussing this with a friend of mine and says she is in a similar situation (she has always been very slim until recent months) she also relates her weight gain with Covid...

I hope this gets investigated to find the cause of it. It really sucks to have no control over my weight anymore.

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Hello @alexav and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is always comforting to know you aren't alone in health experiences. That said, I can tell this has been troubling to you.

Here is an article that you may have interest in.
- Long COVID and the digestive system: Mayo Clinic expert describes common symptoms:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-covid-and-the-digestive-system-mayo-clinic-expert-describes-common-symptoms/

I wonder if you've considered looking into gut health options to see if that could potentially help?

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dvoigt | @dvoigt | Aug 18, 2022
In reply to @rmfe "2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds -..." + (show)
@rmfe

2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds - Dr's have no idea of what triggered this and I have been on lasix to loose the " water weight gain". I am an active very fit 61 year old male. has anyone else had similar issues

Jump to this post

I had covid 10/2019 cold nodule sinus, after covid cleared I had the WORST sinus infection in my life with the WORST headache EVER! During sickness I lost 20 lbs, but a month after recovery, I gained those 20 back and kept gaining. I peeked at almost 40 lbs over pre covid weight, I exorcise more and I eat less, but I can't lose those 40 lbs, my baseline heartrate (post covid) at rest is 100-110, with light exercise it jumps up to 150-160 range, all my cardiologist said was I was fat and needed MORE exercise, after 2 years brain fog and short term memory are still effected

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1 reply
earthangel | @earthangel | Aug 22, 2022
In reply to @dvoigt "I had covid 10/2019 cold nodule sinus, after covid cleared I had the WORST sinus infection..." + (show)
@dvoigt

I had covid 10/2019 cold nodule sinus, after covid cleared I had the WORST sinus infection in my life with the WORST headache EVER! During sickness I lost 20 lbs, but a month after recovery, I gained those 20 back and kept gaining. I peeked at almost 40 lbs over pre covid weight, I exorcise more and I eat less, but I can't lose those 40 lbs, my baseline heartrate (post covid) at rest is 100-110, with light exercise it jumps up to 150-160 range, all my cardiologist said was I was fat and needed MORE exercise, after 2 years brain fog and short term memory are still effected

Jump to this post

I have lost 20 lbs in a month, and gained it back in weeks. My Dr thinks my metabolism is messed up due to Covid.

He is consulting with the Mayo clinic because I have a very long list of symptoms that has not responded well with different medications, treatments, or therapy.

REPLY
2 replies
eac | @eac | Aug 22, 2022
In reply to @rmfe "2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds -..." + (show)
@rmfe

2 years post covid and with long haul symptoms I have suddenly gained 21 pounds - Dr's have no idea of what triggered this and I have been on lasix to loose the " water weight gain". I am an active very fit 61 year old male. has anyone else had similar issues

Jump to this post

I also had rapid weight gain post covid. I literally could feel my body growing bigger. Went up 2 sizes in clothes in about 2 weeks. Also suffered with other long covid symptoms for over 2 years,- severe post viral fatigue, muscle and joint soreness, wheezing, poor breathing, and could not exercise much other than light walking. Those symptoms have improved now, (after almost 3 years) so I am able to now exercise more. I have maintained a healthy and whole food diet through all of this, (very little sugar, no refined or processed foods, minimal carbs,) yet weight will not shift. It is also mainly around my belly. Im 62, so thought it might be post menopause weight gain, however, I went through menopause at 53 and actually lost weight after it which I managed to keep off until I got covid at 60. My metabolism has never worked right since I had covid. Prior to getting it, my health and metabolism were very good. Very frustrating and amazing to learn that others have experienced the same. Would like to know what covid has done to my metabolism.

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jd44204 | @jd44204 | Aug 23, 2022
In reply to @earthangel "I have lost 20 lbs in a month, and gained it back in weeks. My Dr..." + (show)
@earthangel

I have lost 20 lbs in a month, and gained it back in weeks. My Dr thinks my metabolism is messed up due to Covid.

He is consulting with the Mayo clinic because I have a very long list of symptoms that has not responded well with different medications, treatments, or therapy.

Jump to this post

Good doctor

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1 reply
shapd | @shapd | Aug 23, 2022
In reply to @mamabear22 "I had Covid in February 2020. Very sick for two weeks with a more digestive type..." + (show)
@mamabear22

I had Covid in February 2020. Very sick for two weeks with a more digestive type illness. Could not eat due to nausea and extreme fatigue and lost 10 lbs. Developed Long Covid, really bad for a year with fatigue, dry cough, exercise intolerance, dizziness, strange pressure in head, headaches, poor memory, brain fog, depression/anxiety, edema, elevated blood markers for risk of blood clots, the list goes on. Was getting a little better and then symptoms were exacerbated by one dose of vaccine in January 2021. Vaccine injury with nerve pain, terrible memory and cognitive problems. Can't get another vaccine. Two years from illness I was feeling generally better, with fewer Long Haul episodes, but had developed inflammation in my blood vessels, elevated triglycerides, pre diabetes and sudden weight gain in belly area with extreme edema in abdomen. No reason that makes sense. I eat a healthy, organic diet, walk daily and practice holistic medicine. Weight increasing and I can't seem to stop it. I am at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, despite my history of being slender and fit. Somehow, Covid did this to me.

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Sorry you're you've experienced this. Not sure if you're aware of the National Vaccine Injury Program, but definitely reach out to them or I can provide you more info. I also had a vaccine related injury, my Drs didn't want to take the risk with me getting the Covid vaccine as a result. But I have direct contacts of you would like. Prayers to you.

REPLY
2 replies
shapd | @shapd | Aug 23, 2022
In reply to @earthangel "I have lost 20 lbs in a month, and gained it back in weeks. My Dr..." + (show)
@earthangel

I have lost 20 lbs in a month, and gained it back in weeks. My Dr thinks my metabolism is messed up due to Covid.

He is consulting with the Mayo clinic because I have a very long list of symptoms that has not responded well with different medications, treatments, or therapy.

Jump to this post

Please keep us posted. I feel like I went to sleep & woke up a different person.

REPLY
mamabear22 | @mamabear22 | Aug 23, 2022
In reply to @shapd "Sorry you're you've experienced this. Not sure if you're aware of the National Vaccine Injury Program,..." + (show)
@shapd

Sorry you're you've experienced this. Not sure if you're aware of the National Vaccine Injury Program, but definitely reach out to them or I can provide you more info. I also had a vaccine related injury, my Drs didn't want to take the risk with me getting the Covid vaccine as a result. But I have direct contacts of you would like. Prayers to you.

Jump to this post

Thank you, I would like to have the direct contact information! I really appreciate your help.

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