Rapid Weight gain/menapause?

[dihog]

I am a 43 yr old. women who has always exercised and has always had to watch my weight.  Over the years I've successfully stayed at a healthy weight by following a low-calorie (sometimes low carb) way of eating and have always exercised.  In the last year and 1/2, I have gained 25 lbs. (15 in the last 6 months) while continuing to diet and exercise the entire time (I have changed nothing and in fact have increased my exercise).  This rapid unexplained weight gain has me going crazy.  My thyroid has been tested and is well within normal range---my Dr thinks it's all just due to menapause--but this seems SO excessive especially for someone like me who is SO disciplined with my diet and also with exercise.  WHat else could this be???? WHat tests should I have done and/or what kindof dr. should I see? an endrocrinologist???

[twarr2003]

I am 45 years old. I have been going thru this metamorphous (The Change) since I was 37 years old. I take progesterone cream which helps my hot flashes, night sweats and so on.. It does not help with always feeling hungry and gaining weight. I have gained from 117 to 125 since Jan 2013. I cannot believe this crap us women have to go through. I mean the menstrual era was bad enough. Okay, I am so... done with this. I am fatigued all the time, I am hungry all the time and I feel unattractive, fat and old. I am screaming what the heck is going on with me. We need some answers.

[Myfa8te]

What did the doctor say?  I am having the same symptoms at 48 yrs old.

[curvyshorty]

Are you my twin? Im 41 and 11 months. I gained about 20 lbs gradually over a 2 year period. I have always worked out...since jr high. I have consistently worked out atleast 60 minutes 4-5 times a week since 2009. Running, walking, machines outside inside, treadmill, weights, classes, zumba, bootcamp...you name it Ive done it. I have not lost a pound in the last 3 years. I also watch what I eat. No white bread, no pasta, no potatoes, no rice, no junk. My thyroid was off, but when the dr put me on meds, I gained more weight. Im a shorty so the weight is very hard to hide. I had to buy a new wardrobe. I just went to Goodwill to buy clothes because and could not afford to buy so many clothes all at once. My shoes dont accomodate my weight and feet. Im always in pain. I dont date either. I have a little friend I see once a month for jollies. I think he feels sorry for me. Ive never seen an endocrinologist. My thyroid levels within range. I was told I have auto immune disease...at least hypothyroidism for now.

[kymme66]

I feel like I don't know who I am anymore.  I just don't know what to do anymore.  I am completely losing it.  I'm 46, and just like everyone that I've read about here......I just keep gaining weight no matter what I do.  I've always been fit, 5'5 110 lbs.  I used to have a great stomach, once upon a time I had a 25" waist which was just last year, now, now I have only gained 8 lbs but my waist is a 31.  I look about 4 months pregnant!  

My period, I have basically had it three times this month lasting 6 days each time with a few days in between.  Last month it was fairly normal.  The month prior it lasted the entire month which prompted me to go to a Chinese Herbalist.  It worked for a month, then, here we are again.  I stared on Progesterall cream, however it states you start the dosage 10 days after the first day of your period, so, I have taken it all of two days this month.

I thought I'd feel better after finding this blog.....guess it's somewhere to vent since everyone is so sick of hearing me complain.  However, It actually makes me sad reading everyones comments, I feel much more helpless now and realize there is absolutely no solution to anyones cries.  It's only going to get worse.  This is who I am now.

[kflei]

I'm so glad I found this page- I thought I was either going crazy or had a ginormous tumor growing in my stomach!!!!  I'm 38, and what led me here is this completely irrational weight gain, mainly in my stomach and upper arms.  I feel so gross and fat, none of my clothes fit, I actually bought a corset to control the blob hanging over my jeans...  Like most others here, I get plenty of exercise, I barely eat, but keep gaining weight- I broke 160 on the scale this morning and about threw up.  After reading through here and some other web pages I dropped everything and practically flew to the natural foods store for some progesterone.  Strangely I'm exactly 14 days out from my period today (from what I've read you are supposed to use the progesterone 14 days out from the start of your period?), so I think the Universe sent me here.  Obviously I still have my periods, but they are weird, and range from 23 days one month to 30 the next, with about every 4th month being extremely heavy, to next to nothing the others.  My grandmother went through menopause at 39.

At the very least I'm so happy to know that what I'm going through is normal and that I'm not crazy, so bless all of you for sharing your stories, and bless you, Kristin, for maintaining this page.

[Apachesgirl]

I just noticed in the last 6 months that my weight gain is hanging around my belly! Killing me!! I am 46 years old and I swear it happened over night. In the past I have done weight watchers very successfully (at 22 lost 53 pounds and at 37 lost 72 pounds) I have an extra 30 pounds hanging around so went on weight watchers about 3 months ago. Lost 5.2 pounds the first week. 2nd week put on .8 and have successfully put on at least .5 pounds up to 1.8 pounds each week!!!! This is driving me crazy! Help me out! Anyone find a "cure" to this weight gain? I am looking into the 3 week diet plan. I tried green tea pills and Atkins as well as WW. Nothing worked. GRRRRRR.............One of us has to find something!