To be worried about my weight loss?

[Helpme6352617]

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.

You've lost maybe 1lb a week, which if you were aiming for the suggestion would be you need to drop about 500 calories a day. By coincidence (maybe?) breastfeeding is supposed to burn about 500 - 700 calories a day.

You also need to consider that weight can fluctuate quite a bit, especially for women. At different times during the month depending on hormones you might find you retain a bit more water and weigh a 1lb or 2 more, even weighing morning or night can change things (and if you're not naked consider what you're wearing). So you may not have lost as much as you think. Stress won't help.

It might be worth trying to keep a record for a couple of weeks of what you are eating and drinking so you can see what your calorie intake actually is which will help you work out if you "should" be losing weight.

And please try and remember there are many many reasons for weight loss and the majority of them are not something awful.

It is also true that the less you eat your stomach shrinks and you naturally eat less.

You may also be eating less calories if you change say chocolate brands as some have less calories.

I have only weighed myself 3 times! So the 13.7, I knew I had lost weight as it was definitely more than that post partum, to be expected. Then I did it again as I was having horrible bowel symptoms, that’s when I was 13, then again today.
I absolutely have health anxiety, I developed it after being diagnosed with a heart condition- it’s been triggered by very real symptoms which started when I was worried at all. It’s really hard at the moment

I'm glad you're colonoscopy and gastroscopy have shown nothing serious That is a huge positive.
Don't underestimate the effect of stress on your body
I lost a stone without trying during a break up for example.
The prep for the procedures would account for some plus the limited diet for the few days beforehand.
Breastfeeding uses calories by itself so if you consider all those factors, I think try hard to relax for now.
I'm not medically trained just looking at the situation as an outsider.
Don't force yourself to eat, but try to eat regularly even if smaller amounts.

I'm afraid I really don't believe you work in medicine or at least not in a trained job.

Not sure about calories.
For breakfast I’ll usually just have toast, most likely snack on a packet of crisp whilst my daughters having her nap time breastfeed.
If we’re out at breakfast id have eggs, toast.
Lunch will have a sandwich or chicken something, usually something quick.
Dinner is usual home cooked meals, chicken, steak, pasta, veg etc. but sometimes things like pitta bread and houmous or cereal if it’s been a stressful evening

My consultant didn’t tell me to limit my diet before hand so I didn’t 🙈 apart from the immediate day before, I had scrambled eggs on toast then nothing for about 28 hours. I have been eating normally since, probably abit more than usual especially after the procedure as I was starving!

Stress, breastfeeding and two small chn sound like a likely reason. If I’m stressed I find it hard to eat much plus it makes me go to the loo all the time so probable weight loss and that’s without breastfeeding g and little chn So far all tests are normal. Try to get some time to do some breathing and calming exercises. Reassure yourself that you are getting g checked out, you are being brave and not ignoring it. You can do no more.

P.s A 28 hr fast will cause some weight loss.

It’s about 7lbs in the last few weeks then? In all honesty I’m also hover around 13st and can fluctuate by 7lbs (up or down) in a week. Obviously talk to the doctor and make your anxieties known but I wouldn’t assume the worst.

Yes 7lb in 2 weeks.
My daughter had an appointment on the 19th where she was weighed. She wouldn’t let them weigh her so they weighed me, then me holding her. So I know I was 13 stone that day 2 weeks ago x

But op that was in clothes ? Coat, shoes?

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

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

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

@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 🙈🤣

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

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. 💐

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

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.

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