Difficulty maintaining body weight after Covid

Posted by waverider89 @waverider89, Nov 6, 2021

I lost 8-10 lbs during Covid...I had a mild case...3-4 days of low fever, cough, no digestive issues...recovered at home.

After recovery from initial cold-like symptoms, I realized I had other lingering symptoms...elevated HR, fatigued, night sweats, insomnia.

Saw my physician and cardiologist...was put on a beta blocker which has cleared up 90% of symptoms except my trouble gaining weight (which was never an issue for me prior to covid).

My Dr ran many, many blood tests, urinalysis, ECG, EKG, cologuard, ultrasound on liver and gallbladder...everything checked out ok.

Any ideas on what this could be caused by? Is it a “covid thing”? Anyone seen this in post-covid patients? Before covid, I was a steady 170-172 for months, now I’m up to 164 but eating more than before covid.

Thanks

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@hopeful33250

Hello @waverider89

When you asked for a referral to a dietician was your doctor agreeable to that? If not, it might be a good thing to remind him of that possibility.

Do you feel OK or are you fatigued from the weight loss? Is your appetite severely reduced?

@sears How long ago did your son have COVID? Has he had any return of his appetite? If not, you certainly might request help from a dietician. Your son's doctor can probably give you a referral.

How is your son feeling otherwise?

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My grandson had it last winter. It was very mild except for the loss of taste and smell. He was fine and went back to school
after 10 days. It took a few months to regain his smell and taste. His appetite has returned but not normal.

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@waverider89

Hi @euqcaj

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Have you seen a cardiologist? I wore a 48 hour Holter monitor that provided some good data and was reassuring that nothing major was going on with my heart.

The beta blocker that was prescribed by my cardiologist has really helped and I’ve had no negative side-effects.

I hope you continue to improve and, yes, it’ll be interesting to see if others have similar experiences to ours.

Thank you!

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I saw a cardiologist a number of years ago when, it turned out, my thyroid dosage was causing problems and I thought I was having a heart attack. But I have not seen one since. At this point, I'm hoping it isn't an issue and, for me, I'd be reluctant to be put on any more medication. Your doctor obviously felt that it was necessary in your circumstance. I'm sure you are relieved that your symptoms have improved! Thank goodness!

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@johnbishop

Hello @waverider89, Welcome to Connect. I had not seen any other posts similar to your symptoms and did a search and found there is a clinical study on weight loss related to COVID 19. Hopefully if there are other COVID long haulers out there that share your experience they may be able to provide some additional information.

COVID-19 is associated with clinically significant weight loss and risk of malnutrition, independent of hospitalisation: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7598735/

You mentioned having many different test but they all checked out OK. Have you talked with a nutritionist or dietician to see if some minor changes in the types of food you are eating may have an impact?

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I had covid Feb 2020 ive had disrrhea 10-15 times a day w pain mucous sometimes blood tinged and have lost 18 lbs No one knows why Tests are inconclusive I have a a myriad if autoimmune processes Hashimotos sjogrens Lichen Sclerosis snd niow these symptoms ylHelp Can't live like this Drs give up if they cant figure out the puzzle🥲

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@slb50

I had covid Feb 2020 ive had disrrhea 10-15 times a day w pain mucous sometimes blood tinged and have lost 18 lbs No one knows why Tests are inconclusive I have a a myriad if autoimmune processes Hashimotos sjogrens Lichen Sclerosis snd niow these symptoms ylHelp Can't live like this Drs give up if they cant figure out the puzzle🥲

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Have they ruled out ischemic colitis? I had the same symptoms before COVID even hit and after a colonoscopy it was determined.

Good luck and God Bless

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I had COVID the first week of March 2023 after being boosted to the max. Never lost my sense of smell or taste but had the most vicious headache for three days, that beat any migraine I've ever had. I was taking an new antidepressant for MDD and it was the bomb. My life was on track. When I was hit with COVID the med became less effective, I'm tired all the time and I've gained 18lbs. I can't leave food alone. I am visiting my PCP May 19th for a full blown blood draw and lung x-ray. I have not doubt I'm a long hauler. COVID has taken my life, but I'm still here.

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@teabird55

I had COVID the first week of March 2023 after being boosted to the max. Never lost my sense of smell or taste but had the most vicious headache for three days, that beat any migraine I've ever had. I was taking an new antidepressant for MDD and it was the bomb. My life was on track. When I was hit with COVID the med became less effective, I'm tired all the time and I've gained 18lbs. I can't leave food alone. I am visiting my PCP May 19th for a full blown blood draw and lung x-ray. I have not doubt I'm a long hauler. COVID has taken my life, but I'm still here.

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Hi,
How long had you been on the new antidepressant before the weight gain? Antidepressants, anti psychotic and some anti anxiety meds are notorious for causing weight gain. It may not have been the Covid at all. Check with your PCP.

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