If it hasn't been one thing, it's been another. Cause and effect, chicken and egg, at this point there's no way to tell what's influencing what and the past seven weeks have been interesting to observe (if not frustrating to watch) develop.

In early February I contracted norovirus, which left me unable to eat, and then unable to eat properly, for about three weeks. My weight loss did the predictable thing, losing nearly 20 pounds in a week before rebounding once I could keep food and liquid down. This is when I started losing my hair. While I know hair loss happens, it was timed perfectly with my sickness, which, in moments of irrationality, I blame on getting sick because I could not eat. By the time I felt better, I started experiencing what can only be described as crippling joint pain in my right ankle. Initially it made it difficult to get out of bed, and walking across the room was something I only did with crutches or other support. Then the pain spread. First to my other ankle, then my knees, then hips, shoulders, back... you get the picture. They don't know what's wrong with me, and I'm on high doses of anti-inflammatory medication while they try to sort it out. Now, several weeks from the start of the first symptoms, the pain isn't being kept in check by the medicine completely anymore. Needless to say, exercise is impossible. There are stress factors in my life, mostly job related, that have surely impacted my physical health and that are outside of my control to influence, which is its own issue.

I hit my 100 pound loss, and have slowly dragged another five out of it, but it goes nowhere. My weight hasn't budged one way or the other in at least a month. It's a stall of epic proportions and I am forcing myself to be okay with the entire process. My weight loss has now taken a back seat to everything else I'm going through, and I have to be okay with that. But let's be honest, I'm not entirely okay with it or it wouldn't bother me. I pull out handfuls of hair every day and I'm thankful that it's curly because that helps hide it, but it's rough. I watch the scale go nowhere and I try to resist my inclination to cope with stress and frustration by eating. So much for the first six months being sunshine and roses all the way, but I thought that sharing my frustrations might help someone else who's in a similar place.

I'm sorry youre having so many problems. I hope the doctors figure it out soon. You've loss over 100 lbs! that's great! You're right to focus on health first. The weight will come off. good luck to you. Oh, I'm on my 4th week and the hair is alredy coming out in handfuls and my hair is perfectly straight. I don't want to comb it so it looks like more hair without it falling out completely

Gamer, so very sorry that you are going through all of this. Have you seen a rheumatologist?

100# is nothing to sneeze at.

Rather then focusing on the last month - I would focus on how much you have lost. Not sure when your surgery was, but sounds to me like all in all you have lost alot pretty fast. Maybe your body just needs some time to catch up with it all.

Keep following the sleeve rules and the losses will begin again

!

Great job on losing 100 lbs. Hope you get the other stuff figured out quickly...... At 6 months our weight loss does slow down or stall but will pick up again soon if eating healthy...... Let us know what's causing the pain and sending healing energy your way.............

Hi there,

You are not by yourself.

As to update: My surgery went fine and I was NEVER in pain. I had my procedure on January 25th and went home on the 27th. As I was getting use to a new way of eatting and the challenges thereof, I ended up back in the hospital on the 14th of February. Why? I had pain in my stomach area. After getting to the hospital, they found out that I was Dehydrated and perhaps had some type of stomach virus. After all of the tests and IV fluids, I was able to go home on the 17th. While I was in the hospital, my small case of gout gradually got WORST and I could hardly walk. Needless to say, it is almost gone but seem to have taken forever to get rid of. Whew...

When I was in the hospital the second time, my blood pressure was very very low, kidneys were failing and pancreas was inflammed. There were other little things, but thanks to the hospital staff they got me back on the road to recovery. After that stay, I no longer take blood pressure or diabetes medicine. I guess I lost weight to fast to where my meds were killing me. [i should have gone to my primary physcian sooner verus later and maybe none of this would have happen]

My weight started out at 404 and now I'm 361 after six weeks [for some reason, I have been stalled and can't get pass 361] . I have a long way to go and happy you at got 100 pounds behind you. So my dear, focus on your health [as you said] and then go back to worrying about your weight. You will be fine and all I can say is be patient. As I sure you have been, but its no fun being in pain. Take care and give progress reports as you feel up to it.