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Posted 9/27/2010 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
I know it sounds vain and irrelevant, but I want to gain weight more than ANYTHING. I'm 5'11, and hovered around 130 lbs for the last few years. I workout all the time, try to eat lots of protein, and the results usually come, just very slowly. I've always been made fun of for being skinny, and I want more than anything to get bigger and fill out. It's just something I've always wanted to prove to myself that I can do, and be able to go up to all those people who used to make fun of me and kind of say "hey look at me now"(not literally of course). I'm 22 now, and it seems like I've been going through this cycle for the last 5-7 years. I slowly put on weight, then flare up and lose all my hard earned weight. I just cannot seem to be able to ever sustain any amount of weight. I want so bad to be bigger!!!! I hate being the skinny guy, it's not who I am, it doesn't fit my personality.

Recently I got up to as high as around 145 lbs (which really isn't even that big). For the first time I actually felt good about the way I looked, I actually had confidence. Then, of course, I flared up pretty bad recently and lost it ALL. I got down to about 120 lbs. I'm now on Humira and tapering prednisone and have gotten back up to about 129 lbs. Just so depressing for me. I guess I'm just looking for other dudes who go through the same issues here. I'm starting to think I'm just going to be like this for the rest of my life, and that just doesn't sit well with me.
Posted 9/27/2010 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Doesn't sound vain to me. Being a healthy weight is good and if you always lose weight when you flare then it makes sense to even pack an extra couple of pounds past minimum weight. Your current BMI is 18 - underweight. A normal weight range for an adult of your height is 133 to 175.

But it sounds like you need to get your disease under better control in order to reach this goal.

One thing that might really help is supplementing your diet with ensure or boost - or some kind of fairly complete liquid supplement. This might also help you reduce the frequency, length and severity of flares.

If you can handle it, you might want to try doing an exclusive liquid diet now to speed up your healing process. Provided your doctor says it's OK of course.

Good luck. Hope the Humira works for you.

Post Edited (rlsnights) : 9/27/2010 2:03:25 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/27/2010 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
I tried an exclusive ensure only diet for 8 days recently. I ended up getting way worse than when I started, and is actually what actuated me into my latest flare. Most of my disease is currently located in my colon, so enteral nutrition doesn't work as well if the disease is located in the colon only. I tried to obtain more specialized enteral feeds like Peptamen but I can't get insurance to cover it. I even appealed the denial stating that it would save them money from not having to pay for surgeries/etc... and they still denied. You're right that I need to get it consistently under control. It's hard for me cause my case is pretty severe. I'm on Humira and Humira only right now maybe I should supplement the Humira with another drug so that it works better.

On a side note, I've been on the Humira for about a week and a half now. It pretty much started working after about 5-6 days. And by working I mean having an appetite and having some semblance of energy. BM's still aren't great, and I know these are the best indicator of how everything is working down there. So hopefully these continue to improve. I'm also tapering off the pred right now, I'm wondering if anyone ever gains weight while tapering off pred, probably not.

Post Edited (Poppysocks) : 9/27/2010 2:18:34 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/30/2010 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Oh how I understand. Although I am no where near the height you are, I am still underweight because of chronic diarrhea.

I tried the ensure products but it seems to go through me, so don't know if there's any benefit from taking supplemental drinks. The plus products have about as much calories as a sandwich would have.

I have to laugh because at one time I did lift weights and I did take on shape and form even though I was skinny, but for the last while I'm too tired and lack the strength to pick up a weight and I look like popeyes girlfriend.

Anyways, just letting you know that I've been there, and am there so I do understand. Hugs.
Posted 10/2/2010 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have had this issue for 17 years since being diagnosed at 14...i recently started taking a certain herb that is inhaled and soon to be legalized in CA. I havebeen on Humira for almost 2 years. With ne reallybad flare while on it. about two months ago I started taking his certain herb and three things happened to me! 1) i got an appetite! And I went from 130 lbs to 145 lbs! I do pushups and i have a pullup bar so mybody is pretty ripped and nice! People notice!!! And im still skinny but they notice how TONED i am!!! 2) my cramps dissapeared! Humira worked up to about 77% i was still dealng with 33% of symptoms daily, I now am at about 95% great on a daily average! No crampsno pain!! 3) i am in a very good mood pretty much all the time!!! 4) taking this herb has 90% less side effects than any meds you are on!!! And thats about all I can safely say on this board! The herb starts with Mary and ends with Jane! Not every one supports it but im speaking frommy experience it has worked wonders for me!!!
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