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Weight gain. Is it related to my stroke?

Posted by joliepalillo @joliepalillo, Jan 14, 2021

I had a major stroke in the right cerebral middle artery. I am 24, was 23 when it happened. Was paralyzed on the left side whole shebang. After my stroke I was obviously immobile and depressed like most of us for some time after my stroke. I gained 30 pounds in 7 weeks. I have been immobile from open heart surgeries before and never gained that much weight. Could the stroke have some how effected my hormones? Now I have been working out and dieting for eight months and have only lost 11 pounds. This cannot be normal.

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 17 7:45pm
In reply to @joriahenry "Thanks you for your response but I did not change my eating habits. In doing more..." + (show)
Profile picture for joriahenry @joriahenry

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.

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Hi, @joriahenry - did you get to the bottom of why you were gaining weight? Did your doctor have any theories?

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marysah22 | @marysah22 | Mar 13 3:41pm
In reply to @joriahenry "I had a stoke in November of 2023 and have since gained 50 lbs that I..." + (show)
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I had a stoke in November of 2023 and have since gained 50 lbs that I just cant get rid of. Is that a side effect of the stroke. It was mild.

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I had a ruptured brain aneurysm 2 years ago (SAH) and had no interest in eating or what I liked or anything - I lost a lot of weight. I’d had a fast metabolism all my life and ate whatever I wanted. Never gained weight.

Suddenly this year, I’ve gained 30 pounds and had to buy new pants for work. I haven’t dieted / and don’t want to - but it’s so unusual. None of my meds would cause it - I eat fairly healthfully.

Just wondered if others have suddenly - later - gained a bunch of weight?

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Mar 14 1:13pm
In reply to @marysah22 "I had a ruptured brain aneurysm 2 years ago (SAH) and had no interest in eating..." + (show)
Profile picture for marysah22 @marysah22

I had a ruptured brain aneurysm 2 years ago (SAH) and had no interest in eating or what I liked or anything - I lost a lot of weight. I’d had a fast metabolism all my life and ate whatever I wanted. Never gained weight.

Suddenly this year, I’ve gained 30 pounds and had to buy new pants for work. I haven’t dieted / and don’t want to - but it’s so unusual. None of my meds would cause it - I eat fairly healthfully.

Just wondered if others have suddenly - later - gained a bunch of weight?

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Hi, @marysah22 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I trust you will find this a helpful and welcoming community.

I have not had a ruptured brain aneurysm as you mentioned you'd experienced. I just noted that when I reached age 34 my body's metabolism changed such that I was no longer slim or normal weight eating the same way I'd always done.

I was very frustrated with realizing I had the capacity to be overweight. That capacity was a new one for me and a place I thought I'd never end up. Having to replace my clothing in a larger size was both discouraging and expensive. I've also been through this process a few times since.

marysah22 - did you get a chance to look at the list of potential reasons for weight gain after a stroke that @feelingthankful mentioned earlier in this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1131097/? If so. do any of these reasons ring true for you?

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marysah22 | @marysah22 | May 17 11:24am
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @marysah22 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I trust you will find this a helpful..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @marysah22 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I trust you will find this a helpful and welcoming community.

I have not had a ruptured brain aneurysm as you mentioned you'd experienced. I just noted that when I reached age 34 my body's metabolism changed such that I was no longer slim or normal weight eating the same way I'd always done.

I was very frustrated with realizing I had the capacity to be overweight. That capacity was a new one for me and a place I thought I'd never end up. Having to replace my clothing in a larger size was both discouraging and expensive. I've also been through this process a few times since.

marysah22 - did you get a chance to look at the list of potential reasons for weight gain after a stroke that @feelingthankful mentioned earlier in this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1131097/? If so. do any of these reasons ring true for you?

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Thank you so much for your thoughtful and relatable answer.
I’m sorry for the long delay - I had some terrible migraine problems and really was out of commission for weeks - I’m back at work now (half days still … fatigue is hard) … weight became unimportant vs unbearable pain and nausea.

I have changed the way I eat (time of day) and a few little things for older women- that has made a pretty big difference.

I had written a response so long I just now cut it and pasted it into notes as it was practically my memoir (once a writer…) …

I did change one medication (Effexor) and that may have made some difference as well.
And of course, while not recommended, having violent migraines for weeks does not lend itself to weight gain.

I’m trying to figure out how to re-create the way I live to include the fatigue.
I used to exercise away (run, hike, bike) any physical problem or moods….
Now I really am unable, but even when I have a good day and exercise- it makes fatigue much worse.

It’s not depression (which I know well) but it’s like depression.

I wonder if there is rehab for someone like me - the ‘lucky’ sliver of survivors without measurable damage. But who has to rewrite how to live.

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