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Posted 1/26/2015 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I started my first round of antibiotics on January 2, 2015, so it has only been a total of three weeks. But during that three weeks I've already lost 10 pounds. Not saying that I could't stand to lose a couple, but I don't want it to become too drastic of a weight loss. I just don't have the appetite for anything and even when there is something I want, or I feel hungry, once the food is in front of me I can only eat a few bites. I eat just enough twice a day to take my meds. Not only am I concerned about wasting away to nothing, but I am getting married in August and obviously want to look my absolute best and not miserable and sickly from treatment.

Anybody have any suggestions to help with this. As a oncology nurse I frequently recommend Boost and/or Ensure when they need help keeping their calories up, but it seems so much harder to find the equivalent to those without all the extra dairy and sugar that I'm trying my best to avoid.

Any suggestions and/or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks everyone and I hope you all had a great weekend :)

Post Edited (kkarcher14) : 1/25/2015 9:05:14 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/26/2015 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
I had a horrible time only weighing in at 115 to begin with... i didnt want to lose weight... my worst time was on doxy, when i finished doxy I started to get an appetite, I think it is common during treatment. I tried to eat protein bars and things that i usually enjoy... it is really hard, I also started to take a magnesium/calcium/zinc supplement and BOOM my appetite came back in full force
Posted 1/26/2015 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
I do take a really good multivitamin(MTV) twice a day with extra calcium and zinc on top that. I don't want to lose weight either. I just think that losing 10lbs in 3 weeks is pretty drastic. I just don't want it to get too out of hand. When I do eat I make sure that it is nutrient dense and healthy, but I just have no appetite at all and am constantly nauseas. Makes me sad because I am such a foodie!

Hopefully my appetite will come back after my first course like yours did tbohl! Unfortunately this first course is going to be 3-6 months. If I keep losing at this rate, there won't be anything left of me!
Posted 1/26/2015 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I know, the same thing happened to me - I went all of the way down to 110lbs (my husband loved it though, LOL)

The reason why you are losing all of the weight is bc your immune system is burning off all of the calories as it is fighting off the infection, in addition to the low appetite.

Boost and ensure are not the best b/c of the sugar content.

Try to get a hold of some good smoothie shakes and buy protein powder to add to the mix. Grabs some Kind bars, eat eggs and beans as much as you can. I had no appetite either, so I know how difficult it can be. Good Luck!
Posted 1/26/2015 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Try eating foods that are high in calories, yet are very healthy! Things like salmon, nut butters, avocados, bananas and full fat yogurt, Quinoa (each cup of cooked quinoa has 222 calories), dried fruits are higher in natural sugars and can have their place in your diet as well if you aren't dealing with candida.
Posted 1/26/2015 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
The exact opposite has happened to me. Gained 40 pounds. I'm probably pre-diabetic at this point, have acquired high blood pressure. I've tried everything - even running 5 miles a day this past summer. I know the grass is always greener, but I wish the opposite happened in my case. Not good on the ego either :(
Posted 1/26/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am with you Mischa252. I have gained 30 lbs and I am no where near the point that I can get a decent workout in anymore without paying the price afterwards. Walking is about all I can handle. And I have hardly any appetite. I am almost eating completely vegan, mostly fresh fruit and juices. Meat has been grossing me out lately.

So if the immune system is in overdrive and burning a bunch of extra calories, then what about the folks that are gaining weight?
Posted 1/26/2015 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the tips everyone! I will definitely get some of these foods so they're readily available when I do eat. I do have a protein/meal replacement shake that I try to drink if I'm not up for eating, but lately I haven't been able to finish the whole thing. I have been drinking half and saving the other half for later, but some days that's all I can get in. I didn't even think about my body burning more calories because it's fighting in there, good point.
I love salmon so much and need to increase my omegas because they're low, but I have no desire for any type of seafood lately :(

I'm hoping my appetite comes back soon. I don't want to lose too much weight and look sickly for my wedding.

Thanks again everyone!
Posted 1/27/2015 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I had been on an exercise program and made some positive dietary changes at least a year before being dx with Lyme&Co, and had already arrived at my ideal weight for height. Had an excuse to buy new pants a couple times along the way too, which made my wife happy, haha.

Then after starting abx my weight began to drop again and I worried because I was feeling bony instead of fit and powerful physically. This causes body image twinges for a guy like me. So every time I hit 172 lb, I'd go buy a stuffed pizza and eat it till it was gone. Bang, puts a couple pounds right back on--but not the healthiest choice right?

In other words, I'm also interested in healthier choices others have made to keep necessary pounds on. I need thousands of Kcal, not hundreds.
Posted 1/27/2015 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
I also hit 110 lbs...a while back. People made comments of how they wished they would be as skinny as I was, yet they were clueless of what I was going through. The GI pain at that time was horrific, I wanted to run out of my body, every second was soooo hard....and people were jealous. LOL.

How about some healthy fats and calories, such as nuts, and avocados like traveler said. I'm assuming coconut oil, is also high in calories, and I hear it should also help fight infections. I cook and bake with it (when I have the energy).
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