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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be worried about my weight loss?

88 replies

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 17:32

Hi everyone.
I have recently been very very stressed out about my health.
I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy on Monday which was normal thank god, only a sliding hiatal hernia.
A few months back I was 13.7 stone, then I was 13 stone (not trying, one of the reasons for my gastroscopy and colonoscopy).
I had the prep last Sunday and the procedure on Monday. I have been eating normally since the procedure. I weighed myself today and I am now 12.5 stone. I also had an upper abdominal scan which was normal.
I am getting extremely worried that there is something seriously wrong somewhere else in my body, I have an extended hours GP appointment tomorrow.
For reference I am 30 years old, I have a 4 year old and a 15 month old who still breastfeeds day and night.
Has anyone ever lost weight like this through stress? And it not be something like cancer?
I am just beside myself.

OP posts:
Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 19:19

Cakeandcardio · 03/01/2025 19:18

To give a bit more reassurance. I have had the colonoscopy prep a few times and it can make you lose quite a bit of weight if you have been even slightly constipated. Even if you didn't feel it. Add in to that, I usually always lose half a stone in the run up to Christmas just with the extra running about and maybe not snacking as much as I am busier. So could also be that for you.

can it really? I’ve been eating a lot since to be honest and passing stools twice a day, I passed s stool the morning after, I didn’t expect to as I was empty. My bowel prep score was 10/10 🙈

OP posts:
Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 19:18

User79853257976 · 03/01/2025 19:17

I understand why you’re worried, but the first drop could have been baby weight plus breastfeeding and the second, still breastfeeding. You need to be eating a lot more than normal to replace those calories. Good fats, protein etc. I was awfully thin when my first was around 1 and only started to gain weight when he stopped bf.

Thank you, I’m not drip feeding here I just didn’t know if it was relevant, I’m now over 1 year dairy free as my daughter is allergic. Therefore I don’t eat the same as I used to. However, I had no weight loss up until late last year, so really don’t think it’s anything to do with that. I’m just so down at the moment.

OP posts:
Cakeandcardio · 03/01/2025 19:18

To give a bit more reassurance. I have had the colonoscopy prep a few times and it can make you lose quite a bit of weight if you have been even slightly constipated. Even if you didn't feel it. Add in to that, I usually always lose half a stone in the run up to Christmas just with the extra running about and maybe not snacking as much as I am busier. So could also be that for you.

User79853257976 · 03/01/2025 19:17

I understand why you’re worried, but the first drop could have been baby weight plus breastfeeding and the second, still breastfeeding. You need to be eating a lot more than normal to replace those calories. Good fats, protein etc. I was awfully thin when my first was around 1 and only started to gain weight when he stopped bf.

Blarn · 03/01/2025 19:15

Stress can cause weight loss. But if you don't own scales do you know what your weight had been like over the last few years? My weight can fluctuate by half a stone before my period. You could have had a stomach upset, lost some weight, realised, then the worry is causing you to lose your appetite and lose even more weight.

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 19:13

PodgePie · 03/01/2025 19:08

Have you been tested for Crohn’s?

I had 5 random colon biopsy’s taken, would this test for chrons x

OP posts:
Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 19:10

HotelDuVine · 03/01/2025 18:58

What’s your appetite like?

Very up and down!

OP posts:
Sangeetafangeeta · 03/01/2025 19:09

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 17:32

Hi everyone.
I have recently been very very stressed out about my health.
I had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy on Monday which was normal thank god, only a sliding hiatal hernia.
A few months back I was 13.7 stone, then I was 13 stone (not trying, one of the reasons for my gastroscopy and colonoscopy).
I had the prep last Sunday and the procedure on Monday. I have been eating normally since the procedure. I weighed myself today and I am now 12.5 stone. I also had an upper abdominal scan which was normal.
I am getting extremely worried that there is something seriously wrong somewhere else in my body, I have an extended hours GP appointment tomorrow.
For reference I am 30 years old, I have a 4 year old and a 15 month old who still breastfeeds day and night.
Has anyone ever lost weight like this through stress? And it not be something like cancer?
I am just beside myself.

Yes. Absolutely. I could have written this myself about 10 years ago. It was awful and my heart goes out to you.

I had a three-year-old and almost one-year-old at the time. I was still breastfeeding and could feel a lump in my stomach. I had a couple of scans and needed to wait a while for it to be confirmed non-cancerous. My weight dropped from around 9st to under 8st. My mum was shocked when she saw me (it happened quickly) and a doctor friend of mine couldn’t get across the room fast enough to see if I was OK when we met socially at a party. Like you, I was convinced it must be cancer. Now I can see it for exactly what it was - the stress of looking after two young children, health anxiety, and the calorific demands of feeding a growing child.

By all means speak to your doctor about your concerns, but I wanted to share my story in the hope it reassures you xx

Miyagi99 · 03/01/2025 19:08

Probably breastfeeding, I dipped to just under 8 stone when I was breastfeeding, I’m 5ft4.

PodgePie · 03/01/2025 19:08

Have you been tested for Crohn’s?

Ringshanks · 03/01/2025 19:02

I lost a lot of weight breastfeeding- down to 54 kg from 65 . Please don’t panic your body is just doing it’s amazing job x the pharmacist was able to direct me to some supplements that really helped until I regained when I stopped feeding x

HotelDuVine · 03/01/2025 18:58

What’s your appetite like?

Orangesandlemons77 · 03/01/2025 18:57

JustJacques · 03/01/2025 17:42

Could it be the breastfeeding?
I breastfed my youngest longer than my others and reached a point after 12 months when I started to drop weight (up to then I thought it was a myth). Once I stopped I put it straight back on!

Hoping everything’s ok 💐

Me too

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:56

UpUpUpU · 03/01/2025 18:52

OP, your anxiety is palpable. With that, 2 small kids, stress and BF it’s no wonder you have lost weight. Stress can also cause IBS symptoms.

I started with my bowel symptoms before the anxiety. I actually didn’t think anything of it until one day I just couldn’t remember the last time I had a solid poo, sorry for TMI. Then I started wondering… then the anxiety came

OP posts:
Movingbutstandingstill · 03/01/2025 18:56

Sounds like you are doing the right things good luck at your appointments. Only thing I would add is to maybe track everything your eating, you need extra calories still breastfeeding and hopefully it’s just your stressed and not eating as much.

Knackered1 · 03/01/2025 18:54

If they haven’t already, get your thyroid checked.

greengreyblue · 03/01/2025 18:53

UpUpUpU · 03/01/2025 18:52

OP, your anxiety is palpable. With that, 2 small kids, stress and BF it’s no wonder you have lost weight. Stress can also cause IBS symptoms.

This. I feel stressed just reading your posts. 💐

UpUpUpU · 03/01/2025 18:52

OP, your anxiety is palpable. With that, 2 small kids, stress and BF it’s no wonder you have lost weight. Stress can also cause IBS symptoms.

EcruCardigan · 03/01/2025 18:52

You probably don't @Helpme6352617 . I lost a lot of weight after a bad breakup but I'm much older and smaller than you.

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:45

EcruCardigan · 03/01/2025 18:42

@magicalmrmistoffelees , it's 'ozempic face'. If you lose weight quickly (like with the heartache diet) your face and neck shows the weight loss and you tend to look dreadful.

I hope I don’t look too dreadful 🙈🤣

OP posts:
EcruCardigan · 03/01/2025 18:42

@magicalmrmistoffelees , it's 'ozempic face'. If you lose weight quickly (like with the heartache diet) your face and neck shows the weight loss and you tend to look dreadful.

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:41

Should add- my body looks the same but I’ve had to buy new leggings and pj bottoms as they were all so loose and slipping down

OP posts:
Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:40

magicalmrmistoffelees · 03/01/2025 18:38

I’m surprised that the difference between 13.5 stone and 12.5 stone is making you look so different. I have recently (intentionally) lost a fair amount weight and my starting weight was 13 stone. I didn’t notice any real difference in my looks until I hit around 11 stone.

I’m honestly not exaggerating- my mum took a photo of me and the kids and I was really shocked by my face and neck. My body honestly looks the same but it really surprised me how my face looked

OP posts:
magicalmrmistoffelees · 03/01/2025 18:38

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:35

I won’t lie, I am stressed. I’ve been very worried about all this since the start of December.
I don’t mean this horribly, just explaining another reason for my stress- my sons behaviour is beyond horrendous. He’s suspected SEN and a lot to deal with physically and mentally. On top of that my daughter is obviously always on the go and breastfeeding.
I want to believe these are the reasons, but the way I physically look I don’t even recognise myself. My face and neck are so much smaller, non of my pjs fit me, my watch slides up and down my wrist. I just feel shit and worried

I’m surprised that the difference between 13.5 stone and 12.5 stone is making you look so different. I have recently (intentionally) lost a fair amount weight and my starting weight was 13 stone. I didn’t notice any real difference in my looks until I hit around 11 stone.

Helpme6352617 · 03/01/2025 18:36

greengreyblue · 03/01/2025 18:35

But op that was in clothes ? Coat, shoes?

I took my coat and shoes off, I actually had the same outfit I had on today 🙈

OP posts: