Weight Fluctuations

[Guest guest]

Suzi,

It is nice to `hear' from you. Regarding weight, weight gain,

and weight loss, I am not sure there is any rhyme or reason to it.

There is very little research that I can locate, so all I can go on

is patient's personal history. For the most part it sounds similar

to mine. My weight cycles in an irregular pattern. I can gain or

lose fifteen pounds randomly. Like most of the persons I have spoken

to I have a closet of clothes that range within three or four sizes,

depending on what I weigh. The other thing is that my belly can go

from zero to nine months pregnant in a heartbeat, for no reason, as

well. This is very frustrating. It bothers me a great deal, besides

being very uncomfortable. The one thing that I try and pay attention

to is if I am having serious fluid retention problem, for example in

my legs, etc. For the most part my metabolism is very messed up.

Unlike some persons with pancreatitis, I gained a huge amount of

weight. This occurred, though, while I was on TPN. Since I was so

sick at the time, I think my body clung to every calorie and fat

gram it received, and refused to burn it off.

I try and let go of the emotional feelings about my weight. The last

thing my body needs is for me to continually tell it negative

thoughts. To heal, my body needs to know I love it, no matter what.

This helps when there are people that you have around you who also

support you, no matter what. Being overweight is unhealthy, but

negative input is also unhealthy. I know it bothers Tull to see me

drag out my `fat' clothes, but he never says a word, except,

" Would you quit calling them your " fat' clothes. " He

is right.

Karyn , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana