Heptatitis C After Treatment Weight Gain

[Susy from PR]

Hi everyone!
   I finished my Hep C treatment in october.  Not only is my hair very thin and brittle, I have been gaining weight steadily since I left the treatment.  Does anyone know why the weight gain after treatment occurs?  After searching the internet, I have found only information about the fact that it does occur, but no explanation as to why.  My doctor doesn't know either, only that most of his patients gain about 25 pounds after treatment.  Feeling good.  Wishing for better hair.

[Browney]

This is the first time I have spoken to anyone about having Hep.C. I finished my treatments a year ago with very good news. IT WORKED! That was the worst yr. of my life. I continued to work but it was hard. I lost 40 Lbs. and some of my hair. Admitted to the hospital for dehydration and blood clots. Rash and itching were unbearable. I have gained all my weight back and some more which I can't afford to do. I am still experiencing some itching, could this be from not enough water? On a rare accasion I will run a fever for no reason. Does anyone else have s/e that still follow them around? I feel like I am going to go through the rest of my life buying all the anti-itch cream that is made. I use a moisturizer daily but skin is so dry. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[NYgirl]

My situation is now really different. The interferon killed my thyroid so I can eat anything and not gain a pound from now till eternity pretty much.

However in the beginning I did lose weight (I gainned 5 or 10 pounds before starting treatment because I was really skinny to start) but after a while it levelled off and now I don't lose or gain.

I always thought I would gain it back later and not look so diseased but...until they regulate my condition I guess not.

[friole]

I am on week 36 and find that I can eat things that would normally make me gain weight and not gain - in fact lose.  I think it is beause I don't eat as much.  However, I am really consious of the fact that I will have to watch carefully after I am done with treatment and the old appetite comes back.

Congrats on finishing and being clear.  Hope the hair grown back soon.

[Susy from PR]

Hi again...

I lost a little weight while on treatment, but only 5 pounds.  The weight gain is much more dramatic and I am eating healthy foods...no sugar...exercising regularly.  No obvious reason why I should be gaining that much weight.  My viral count is at zero, thank God.  And my thyroids tests so far have not shown any obvious problems, although I just had a more thorough test yesterday to try and find a culprit.  Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Great!  More good news!  I have gained about 5 lb since I started, I think of lack of exercise/activity.  I can't wait to get fatter when I quit.  (Heavy sigh!!)

[FlGuy]

I finished in Dec. and have been gaining weight steadily, about 20 lbs so far. But I was light going in so a few more lbs.  Where I used to be careful about the amount of food I ate, I have given myself 'no limits' since finishing - a reward.  I don't go for the junk but volume. I think tx does something to metabolism and my body is just re-regulating.  Althogh not craving for anything in particular I think the old bod is just getting back to its equilibrium.  I think being more active also stimulates the appetite. Taking a multi, alpha lipoic, milk thistle, apple cider vinegar in water and trying to keep up the water volume.  Congrats on finishing.

[lilmoma]

Did you lose weight while on tx?
If you did, I would it is a healthy sign that you are gaining it back. I dont know all the facts though.
Are you SVR? How is everything else going for you?
lilmoma