IBS and Weight Fluctuations

By Amy Dodd Pilkington

3 min read

I recently had a health scare. Before the issue was discovered, I was stuck in a nonstop IBS-D flare and had lost a decent bit of weight. This was underweight for me, and I was unhappy. As things started to even out, I gained some weight back. I was at an ideal weight for myself. Now, I have gained up to a weight that I do not like.

In 5 months, I gained a total of 15 pounds. I often tell people I am built like a Dr. Seuss character, and it’s true. I have tiny arms and legs and gain all my weight in the middle. Slap a star on my growing belly, and I’ll be a sneetch.

Losing weight due to medical issues and an IBS-D flare

I had a slow GI bleed for over a year. That is quite obvious now, as I ignored the symptoms of it for far too long. It also caused a year-long IBS-D flare, and the combination left me shedding many pounds. I lost too much. When I finally evened out, I was content with my weight again.

The IBS-D flare ended, and it seemed like everything had improved and would be smooth sailing for a while. I finally regained the weight I had lost and looked healthier. I felt better. The clouds seemed to part, and the sun shone down on me. It was about time.

Gaining weight after resolving medical issues

I thought I was just bloated for a while, and it would eventually resolve itself as it always has. It wasn’t until I returned to my doctor that I discovered I had indeed gained weight. It was actual weight and not just bloating. And it was 15 pounds of weight in just a few months.

I told people that gaining weight was a side effect of no longer bleeding internally. Joking about it made me feel a little bit better about my weight gain until my weight became a bit too much for my liking.

Preparations for weight fluctuations failed

I keep several clothing sizes because I am accustomed to fluctuations due to IBS-D and IBS-C flares. My weight (and size) changes if I am stuck in either type of flare for too long. It climbs higher now that I am older. Hormonal issues aren’t doing me any favors.

I dragged out my largest sizes and realized I had nothing I could wear aside from my stretchy pajama pants and one pair of capris. Even my t-shirts were too tight. I was devastated that I had outgrown even my most oversized clothing.

Consequences of weight gain

I put it off as long as possible, but I had to buy new clothing to fit my growing self. It was depressing just thinking of the task. It was even more depressing when I realized I had more than doubled in pant size. I sighed so deeply that I am confident it resonated worldwide and begrudgingly grabbed a couple of pairs of stretchy pants.

Now, this isn’t just a vanity issue. Don’t get me wrong. Some of it is vanity, but I have mobility issues, and the extra 15 pounds worsen that. While Ienjoyg being mostly flare-free, I also know that a severe IBS-D flare could wipe out all the weight gain, and a severe IBS-C flare could make it worse. That makes the idea of having a flare even worse. So, here I am, trying not to stress too much about overweight fluctuations and what type of flare will happen next.

Have you dealt with fluctuations in weight due to IBS flares? How did you handle it? I would love to hear about your experience.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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hateibs Member
I've been a steady weight all my life with never any weight gain or loss issues.. I have always been slightly on the skinny side, but never bony. I had good muscle tone. But with a fast metabolism, if I ever missed a couple of meals, the weight drop would start to show a little. But when IBS started, after a while I began to notice I was beginning to look bony. Not being able to eat so many foods I think had to be the main cause. Though I do take a few basic vitamin and mineral supplements to make up for any shortfall. But it also had to do with the flare-ups of IBS-D. After a morning diarrhea episode, I didn't feel like eating anything for a few hours, so my breakfast started to happen at almost lunchtime, and then because of the fear of making my gut worse, it was only 2 pretty small pieces of dry toast on my worst days. I tried to eat as healthy as I could at dinner, but the portions were smaller, and I wasn't having 3 portions of vegetables like I'd had pre-IBS. So yes, I ended up quite bony. It scared me to see myself in the bathroom mirror, as I looked like an anorexic, despite my love of food and most often a good appetite for dinner. Some clothes started to hang on me slightly, and I always wanted to keep my legs well covered. As my IBS got a lot better (not 100% but better) this year I gained a little bit back to look more normal. It made me feel good. And then last Monday a bad IBS flare hit me, and even though I was able to eat, in only 2 days I could see I had lost a little bit again. The flare is better (ish) now but turned towards the "C", and I am still unsure what will happen next, so have been cautious with food, just using food as a balancing act to get my gut on track. I know if I get more D flares, I will start to look bony again. Honestly I'm fed up with IBS. Just when we are glad to have improved, it comes right back at us.
1. hateibs Member
 <inline-mention username="Amy Dodd Pilkington" user-id="2269314"/> Amy, my safe food list of course might not suit you. The basic staples (I have IBS-D) are usually, peeled grapes, Italian ciabatta bread toasted, butter, peeled boiled potatoes, white rice and sometimes brown rice too, eggs cooked well, most kinds of fish but very plain cooked. I dare only add salt to any food as a seasoning. The veg that seem to be okay mostly are: green French beans, spinach, small amounts of lettuce, small amounts of avocado, same of broccoli without stalks. Sugar snap peas. Oddly, small amounts of chocolate! Which is great 😁 Now three things there are high Fodmap, but they seem to generally suit me: the sugar snap peas, and avocado. I also find honey is fine for me. Apples are also high Fodmap, but I am okay usually on a smallish portion of stewed apple (peeled and cored) Then there are the foods that suit me fine for ages, and then suddenly don't, so I have to be careful. Those are asparagus, watercress, zucchini, cucumber (which I have to peel) Peeled chickpeas sometimes in dessertspoon amounts but I wouldn't eat them in a flare. Celery can be okay for ages too, then I have to take a break from it for a while. I can sometimes eat cheese but mustn't eat too much or every day. Brazil nuts and peanuts come into this category of "sometimes ok, sometimes not" too, and I usually only eat a few. I steam all my vegetables, often including watercress when I can eat it. I am okay on plain sponge cake, and very plain bland cookies so long as those don't have sorbitol added. Fine with sugar or honey. Coffee seems okay (one not very strong per day) No dramas with that and I love it. It's ground coffee freshly brewed. And black China loose leaf tea seems fine. In flares maybe I wouldn't have the coffee, but tea is ok.
2. Amy Dodd Pilkington Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> I have similar issues - something fine today and not tomorrow. Avocado is one of my guilty pleasures as well. Sometimes it's fine, and sometimes it's not. Definitely going to try the ciabatta bread as I have recently started having more of a craving for bread. I did recently start drinking coffee and was surprised to find that it did not have the effect I expected. Isn't it odd how triggers work? Hoe you are doing well today. 😀 -Amy, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> team member
explodingguts Member
IBS-D explosions got so bad I had to stop working out but the loss of a stress buster and vanity prompted a review. I decided to fast longer before workout until I could make it to only one interruption per 35-40 min. Took a long time but I persevered. Loss of muscle tone kept me going. I really wanted to halt the regression before it got too awful. My son gave me a 10-lb weight so I started doing liftees on each side then I added a few variations to increase core strength. The fx were so fast and so dramatic that I kept going. I now go for about an hour every second day. Tho I love my elliptical trainer it was the liftees that really gave me reach. I know you've had multiple setbacks, Amy, but let vanity work for you. I suggest starting your return to health with a 10lb weight and while sitting do a set of 15 bicep curls on each arm. If that gets too easy, add a set of 15. While in bed do a set of stomach crunches. Make it a routine. If you practise anything you get better. Try for improvement of any kind and celebrate each. IBS unsettles our confidence. It's so important to keep moving. Visit a really upscale gym and consult a personal trainer. I've found them to be extremely generous - full of great tips when you're fragile. I burst a disc yrs ago and their suggestions helped me come back. 
1. hateibs Member
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> It's so good that you don't give up, and continue with your exercise, exploding guts. It's so important to keep muscle tone. I hope you are able to eat enough protein to support you. Personally I find digesting proteins no problem and they don't upset my gut. I don't eat meat but eat plenty of eggs and fish. Nuts are troublesome sometimes though, and vegan proteins. I work very hard with daily exercise and a lot of weight-bearing from early Spring until usually around November when the inclement weather comes, as I do a lot of work on my land, and process a winter's worth of firewood myself. But in the months from November until early March (or sometimes later, depending on whether we have snow) I don't get the same exercise. So I will bear in mind your suggestions and try those weight exercises daily. There is nothing worse than losing muscle tone, as if we do, the joints and spine bear all the strain if we suddenly have to shift something heavy or do some unexpected work.
2. Amy Dodd Pilkington Contributor
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> Thanks so much for your encouraging words! At the moment I am working to get thyroid levels stabilized and hoping that helps at least put a stop to my weight gain. I added around 40 lbs in 6 months thanks to newly diagnosed hypothyroidism. Hoping I can employ some of your suggestions to help get my weight down once I get things straightened out. Hope you are having a good day! - Amy, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> team member
explodingguts Member
I made it to a record 6 days explosion-free, and the explosions were managed with the Immodium. I've not ruled out Viberzi if they get bad again but I really don't want to take anything every day ever again. I think being off the asthma puffers is helping so BEWARE and deeply research all drugs, remedies OTC and o/w. First thing cancer docs told me yrs ago was to stop taking vitamins, which just feed the cancer. Each day w/o explosion is a victory. Hoping to make it to a full week then 2 then forever. Godspeed with thyroid, Amy. Keeping a good thought for you. 
1. Amy Dodd Pilkington Contributor
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> I have asthma and never thought about a connection. I will have to pay close attention to that now. Thanks for the tip! And thanks! Glad to hear you are doing okay right now and I have my fingers crossed that you make it to two weeks! Hope today is a great day for you! -Amy, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> team member
2. Amy Dodd Pilkington Contributor
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> Hi! I wanted to check in and see how you are doing. How are you feeling now? Hope you are having a symptom-free day! -Amy, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> team member
explodingguts Member
Slowly, steadily better - fewer explosions, less violent and longer intervals inbtwn. Sorry you have asthma, too. Mine is somehow controlled right now but I have a list of puffers that don't contain the two irritants just in case. I really don't want to take anything any more. I continue exercising on elliptical trainer mostly w/o interruption and with free weights to strengthen core.