Not your typical MC/celiac patient: being overweight + inflammation

[audreybutler22]

Hi folks! I wanted to touch on a topic I haven't seen discussed here much.

Unlike the typical celiac or MC patient, I have never been underweight. Quite the opposite — I've always had 15 or 20 pounds that were hard to shift despite being active and in a calorie deficit. In the past, the worse my symptoms have been GI-wise, the heavier I've been.

I just started the stage one diet plan, per the guidance here and my recent Enterolab results, a week ago and have basically instantly lost 7 pounds — despite consuming the exact same number of calories as I usually do. I see a noticeable slimness in my face that is actually kind of startling, it looks MUCH less puffy (as others have pointed out to me).

It feels as though with reduced inflammation, maybe my body is holding onto less water weight?

Of course, it is early days in the diet and I have yet to reach remission (though my GI symptoms are MUCH improved — better than they have been in years, just one week into the diet) but as someone who usually battles for weeks to lose a pound or two, it is notable for me to have dropped this weight without trying to.

Did anyone else who struggled with unexplained weight gain in the past notice that you've slimmed out since reaching remission/reducing your immune response? Typically on these boards I see a lot of folks who have had trouble gaining weight, but since I am the opposite, I am wondering if there are other folks out there like me, and what your experience has been.

[TXBrenda]

You are not alone! I was diagnosed in 2003 with MC. For many years I avoided only gluten to control my MC symptoms. I had to have weight loss surgery (2016) because I weighed over 300 lbs and could not lose weight. After surgery, I lost about 70 lbs and hit a major stall and did not lose any more weight for over 3 years. I noticed I seemed to be reacting to everything I ate. Almost 18 months ago, I had the Enterolab tests run. I The results revealed that I need to be dairy, egg, grain and soy free. Also I cannot eat tuna, beef, chicken, pork, almonds, or cashews. That means I eat a lot of turkey, shellfish, fresh water fish, and coconut milk as well as vegetables (except nightshades). I have managed to lose about 20 more lbs. I am 66 years old now so weight loss will be slow. I only know of one other person that was over instead of under weight. I think she posted on the old message board. Not sure if she has posted on this one or not.