What to do....I'm at a complete loss and it's not my weight!

Hi~  This is actually the first time I've posted on this forum, but truly find myself at wit's end.  I had RNY in February 2004 and did very well for about the first 18 months.  Losing weight without difficulty, exercising regularly etc.  I do admit that exercise slacked off a bit (maybe 6 months or so), but I continued to eat my protein and drink my water....then my weight began to creep back up.  2 years out, I had regained about 10 pounds.  I began exercising again, continued the protein and water...and  at 3 years out...poof 10 more pounds.  In the interim my migraines began occurring again (i hadn't had one since a few days before my surgery).   I began having nightsweats, couldn't sleep, tired all the time and just generally irritable.  Through testing with my PCP, we came to figure out that I've got a thyroid issue going on. They're treating it and trying to get my levels stabilized in the meantime, my weight is continuing to increase.  Regardless of how diligently I exercise, drink my water and eat my protein it has no impact.  I'd be foolish to say that I'm 100% perfect with my eating, but I'm following the directions of my surgeon far more often than not. I was doing aerobics all of 2007 4-5 times a week, with no change to my weight loss, it became very frustrating. Beginning in January, we had an unexpected vacancy at work and my schedule took on a life of it's own.  I could no longer exercise during lunch time, and rarely left the office before 9:00PM.  I keep a stash of protein at the office, and could usually run to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat.  Although I have to admit that hunger is something that I do not experience.  There have been days where I eat breakfast and then don't eat again until sometime in the evening if my schedule is busy enough.  Hunger just isn't an issue for me, and hasn't been since my surgery. Here's a prime example, I began exercising regularly again about 6 weeks ago, attending one hour classes 4-5 days a week, drinking my water and ensuring that I get a minimum of 70 grams of protein a day.  I've gained nearly 10 pounds!  I have lost nothing and feel like a complete failure.  Some of it is to do with my thyroid...but I don't know what more to do...It appears as though I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't.  It's so discouraging to be doing what's asked/expected of me to have the same result as if I didn't.  I feel like a failure, yet I don't know what more to do or what to do differently. I'm lost....completely lost.

Oh, I have also tried the 5 day pouch test and have a few pounds, yet as soon as i begin eating regular food (following the guidelines of my surgeon) I gain it all right back. 

Sounds to me like the thyroid is the biggest issue. Do they have it under control now? If not, you should start there. You can try the five day pouch test (reset) but from what you said about the aerobics, I doubt that is the issue.  Without the thyroid issue, I would try journaling your food intake, set your goal for moderate activity and protein levels at least 100 each day and see if that makes any difference at all but without getting the thyroid issues under control...it's hard to tell what is happening.  You aren't doing alot of soy, are you? I heard some hormone issues (thyroid) and soy are connected.

Thanks for the quick repsonse! I've been seeing an endocrinologist since December and she's upped my synthroid each visit.  At my last appointment, they ordered an ultra-sound which revealed an enlarged thyroid and a nodule (apparently not uncommon and nothing they're overly worried about at the moment aside from monitoring it). As for the soy, some of my protein is from soy, I hadn't heard of that potential problem, but something that I'll lbe sure to look into. Michelle

Soy bad for thyroid patients.  Don't use it.

I have to agree that it sounds like the thyroid issue causing you problems. Also, have you had your labs drawn recently? I have to commend you on the fact that you are so strict with your die****er intake and exercise. I know how stressful and upsetting weight gains can be~no matter how big or how small. Good Luck and keep us posted on how things are going for you!

I may be completely off the wall here, but will throw it in anyway.  Do you think your calories could be too low?  Especially if you are exercising, with low calorie intake your body may be holding on to every last morsel. Just a thought...

At this point, my total weight gain since August of 2005 is nearly 50 pounds.  It's frustrating...i do attribute a lot of it to the thyroid, the patience required for the levels to balance out is reaching it's limits with me. As for the calorie intake that Ruth mentioned, I've considered that alternative, but I have to say, I'm almost afraid to eat...everything/anything ends up all over my body and not in a good way!  :) I'll keep you all posted.  I've got an appointment with my endocrinologist on Thursday morning. Michelle