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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/28/2017 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone

Hope you all had a great Christmas. I need help with some suggestions on how to gain weight and what I should do. I just lost 5 lbs for some reason and now I weigh 95lbs. I’m 5’5, female, and 20. I have no idea why I’m losing weight and I’m scared. Should I go to the hospital? I’m not really in much pain or going to the bathroom a lot so i don’t know what’s up. Could I still have inflammation and ulcers even though I’m not in that much pain? Any suggestions on how to gain weight? Should I go to the ER? Please let me know
Thanks
Posted 12/28/2017 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds more like you're not absorbing nutrients and fat properly, which is normal for Crohn's, even at the beginning of remission.

I suggest you start supplementing your diet with drinks like Boost or even Slim Fast. These DO NOT replace your meal, but are IN ADDITION to your meal. So eat a regular dinner, AND drink a Boost along with it as your drink (instead of water or something).

I don't think it's ER-worthy, but it's defintitely worth calling your doctor about.
Posted 12/28/2017 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you scifi. I will definitely try that out! And ok I’m glad to hear this is normal for crohns
Posted 12/28/2017 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Scifigal. Over what time period did you lose this weight(days weeks months)? Definitely call your doctor so you can find out what's up.

I know ice cream is the "canary in my coal mine" if I can eat it without gaining weight and it makes me nauseous than I know I'm flaring. When a flare is over it makes me gain weight back rapidly. Also peanut butter if you can tolerate it. Ensure drinks are helpful.
Posted 12/28/2017 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Labradorite, I lost It a little over a Week. Hmmm ok I’ll try out the ice cream thing haha and orbit butter I do tolerate.
Posted 12/28/2017 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
That's pretty fast at that weight if you have not changed your eating habits. 95lbs does not give you much room to wait and see. Hope you are able to gain it back soon!... and the ice cream thing is just one of my indications so o wouldn't bet your health on it but I hope it helps keep some of the pounds on while you seek medical care. Good luck!
Posted 12/28/2017 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like something I went through just a few weeks ago but mine wasn't due to crohns (this time lol) i was 143 pounds and I'm 5'6. I went down to 134 pounds but gaining back quickly by having my normal 3/4 meals a day, little snacks in between and 3 times a day I make myself a Sustagen drink, i don't know if you have it there in the U.S. but it really works well and its quite nutritious.
Posted 12/28/2017 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes if you're dehydrated you'll lose a few pounds quickly. If I don't keep up on my water intake for a few days, then the scale drops. It never stays down, unfortunately. (But I'm a rare Crohnie who is on the heavier side due to prednisone. And pregnancies, lol)
Posted 12/28/2017 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Surfer, you may do much better with several small meals a day with snacks in between. I usually eat half of my lunch & heat the other half a little later to finish it, same with dinner. I have lost a good deal of weight the past 6 months because of dental issues. I eat several small meals a day, plus I drink a lot of Boost through out the day. I keep it in the fridge, however, about 30 minutes before I am ready to drink one, I put it in the freezer & its a little slushy & tastes much better. Peanut butter is one of my snacks, also bananas will help put some weight on. Boost also makes a drink called Boost Breeze, more of a fruity type drink. I order these online since I can't find them in the stores. I was into ice cream for a bit but it was driving my sugar too high, sigh. Yes, you must stay hydrated. I do not drink much water, I drink cranberry juice. My dr says its mostly water so he is good with me drinking it so much. I have struggled a lot with dehydration to the point of needing to be hospitalized.
Posted 12/28/2017 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
When I tried to add weight back after a bad flare, I'd drink whole milk, eat whole yogurt, eat lots of snacks between meals, eat lots of carbs, and make homemade protein shakes. For the shakes, I'd take whole yogurt, banana, peanut butter and put them in a blender using a recipe I found online. Carbs are great for regaining weight: bread, pastas, rice, and potatoes.

It's a frustratingly slow process, you can eat like a horse every day, yet only regain 1/2 a pound every 2 weeks. However, if you are persistent, and stick with it you can add back some of your lost weight.

Certainly let your doctor know about your weight loss too! We can have lingering inflammation that hinders nutrient absorption due to our IBD. We can have thyroid issues that make regaining weight impossible.
Posted 12/28/2017 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for the advice I really do appreciate it! I drink tons of water everyday so I don’t think that is my problem. And ipoop, now that you mention It I do have Graves’ disease which is overactive thyroid.. I’ve been on medicine but maybe I went high again? I’ll call my drs and see what’s going on and get some blood tests. I’m going to try those boost drink and all the suggestions ! Thanks again
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