Help Gaining Weight

I’m not sure what will help. I can only say that after I got really sick, I did an elimination diet for about 6 months but not 100%. I had already started losing weight before that and kept losing. I felt like I was starving. I was also in a moldy house with my parents. We all left the house and each of us lost over 20 lbs. I had gotten down to 87 lbs.

After leaving the house, I ended up ditching the diet and ate like a teenage boy for about 6 months. I ate 3 meals a day and snacks. Ate full dinners for lunch and supper. Even ate desserts. It took months for me to gain 2 lbs. Then 2 more. After that first 6 months, my appetite decreased and I ate less but still gained more weight until I got up to about 96.

I lost some again in the last few months. I suspect it is from the pitiful herbal parasite treatments I have been doing.

Hopefully others can give you better ideas for gaining weight besides eating like a teenager

Maybe Ensure, Orgain or Vega protein shakes? Good luck

The same thing happened to me Girlie. I lost 16lbs in two weeks. My curves and muscle are definitely back thank goodness!

Thank you BeKindPls! I have Lyne and three other coinfections plus I believe Bart even though I did not test positive for it. I’m on month eight of treating with antibiotics and doing A LOT better. I’m going to do one or two more months or antibiotics and then six full months of the Cowden protocol. There is hope it just takes a long time. I’ll say a prayer for you!

HeartsinPain - Thank you for your kind words. I have Lyme and Bart. I can't tolerate any ABX anymore, my body has become allergic to several. I'm going to restart herbal therapy once I muster up the courage. I appreciate your support.

runningwild - I'm not sure I understand your question. Could you elaborate? Thanks!

I should have explained with more detail.

Best way to ask it is: Can you see areas where you have lost the weight? If so, is it where your muscles were (are) or around the muscle, where we have our fat under our skin? Are veins more prominent?

Some people might lose both muscle and fat, some just muscle, some, like myself, just fat and collagen. Seems like losing fat would be a good thing, but too much of a good thing is not good . When Dude Abides mentions eating fat, that's a thought. If you eat the right kinds of fats, such as found in avocado, nuts, olive oil, fish, such as salmon, that helps with not building up plaque.

If you are losing muscle, proteins are good to eat.

But it would depend on what is causing the weight loss. The good news is many have gained back their weight, as mentioned in posts above.

Hello, again, BeKindPls:

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. That really helps me get a better sense of how you're eating. It seems you're eating pretty "normally," compared to any number of alternatives.

We should get together and share a bag of potato chips. I've become rather fond of these two:

https://www.utzsnacks.com/products/boulder-canyon-avocado-oil-canyon-cut-kettle-potato-chips-sea-salt
https://www.utzsnacks.com/products/boulder-canyon-olive-oil-kettle-potato-chips-sea-salt

Similar to you, I (mostly) eat what I want. But, what I want is different than when I was in my teens, 20s, and 30s. Back then, it was all types of junk food that was full of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. Now, if I want chocolate, it's a better quality version with fewer ingredients -- and ones I can recognize and pronounce. If I want potato chips, I get ones with potatoes, avocado or olive oil, and sea salt. Obviously, those are still not "health" foods, but that's my particular deal with the devil. If I'm craving a sugary treat, I eat medjool dates.

Anyway, as you've already stated, it seems pretty clear you're not skimping on calories. That's good news. But, the hair loss/shedding is puzzling, given that you're not restricting calories and you've been checked by so many doctors -- including Endocrinologists. Surely they've checked your thyroid and hormones.

As for parasite testing, I've frequently read how difficult it is to actually find them on lab tests. I've heard a couple of Functional Medicine/Integrative Doctors (not my favorite people) state that people should assume they have such "guests" in their body and use various methods to "evict" them. The issue, of course, is not knowing which pathogens one might have. And, thus, not knowing which compounds to use to eject them. At that point, one ends up having to take a shotgun approach and use a variety of protocols.

I don't think this is necessarily a bad idea, but it would be nice if things were more straightforward. Many of us love testing, because we want to "know." But, unfortunately, it's just not always that easy. Testing -- whether it's for Lyme, vitamins/minerals, heavy metals, etc. -- isn't always a clear or perfect science. SpectraCell has been criticized, too. But, sometimes, the best we have is the best we have.

Given all you've done, it does appear that Lyme is likely the underlying culprit. It seems to have no shortage of ways to interfere with our lives and our health.

Thanks again for sharing the additional information. I'm sorry I've not been able to be of any help. Should you find anything that works for you, I hope you'll share the news.

Best wishes,
Dude

Dude - You say you aren't of any help... not true! You have helped immensely. You've provided great perspective and, as silly as this may sound, you have a calming nature in your writing. I greatly appreciate your time and concern. I often feel alone and dismissed, you made me feel heard. I've often felt that this must be a tapeworm! I just don't understand where all of my calories are going. But I'm not running to the bathroom, so parasite seems unlikely. You are correct, I've had hormones tested thoroughly dozens of times. Every doctor who hears my symptoms says thyroid but tests are perfect. Anyway, I won't bore you anymore. Thank you very much for your help. Big hugs.

jb1994 - I went to a nutritionist years ago and while it didn't help then, I am thinking about it again. If nothing else, to show my doctors that I am eating enough calories. Thank you for bring the idea back to the forefront. Best to you

Dude,
If only there were more people like you, the world would be a better place. Thank you for being so kind. Just knowing someone cares can change the whole day like it has for me. You should start a podcast! Or some sort of blog, perhaps? Your writing is so fluid and calming, I feel like a lot of people could benefit from your help.

I'm going to check out Brenda's site now - thank you for the resource, I'll take all the help I can get.

Again, thank you. You've made a difference for me today, I appreciate it greatly. Be well.

Hi Girlie -
I just revisited this post and have a quick question... You mention that you lost weight as well. Was it the treatment itself that helped you regain weight or were you taking additional supplements to help? Would you attribute your weight recovery to one specific thing? open to any and all suggestions. Thanks so much.

BeKindPls said...
Hi Girlie -
I just revisited this post and have a quick question... You mention that you lost weight as well. Was it the treatment itself that helped you regain weight or were you taking additional supplements to help? Would you attribute your weight recovery to one specific thing? open to any and all suggestions. Thanks so much.

Symptoms started April 2013 - and progressed - with new symptoms piling on (thought I was losing my mind) I lost 14 lbs in a matter of weeks..
Finally tested via Igenex (thanks to this forum) and had a positive IgM WB in July 2014.

Started treatment with LLND in aug/14

Started to put weight back on about a year later. But it was slow .
And I now have cellulite ! My muscles still aren’t firm like before.
I have always had really good muscle tone/athletic build.

I didn’t take/eat anything in particular to promote weight gain.
Just ate anything/everything.

Hi 1000Daisies -
I'm so glad you posted again, I missed your original reply because of the simultaneous postings! That's a great question regarding stomach acid. I would hope that the myriad of GI doctors I have seen have looked into everything but it's always good to check. Do you know if there are specific tests for this? Are you comfortable sharing the names of the supplements your son is taking? I'm glad he was able to regain some weight. Thank you again for your reply! Be well.

Hi Dude - Please, don't apologize! I am so grateful for any and all help given, I appreciate you taking the time to write and send the links. I will certainly look at them. One never knows what might work, I'd always rather be given more information than not enough, never know what will work. Thank you again for all of your help. Best to you.