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Posted 10/2/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys I did a search & couldn't find anything on HGH aka Human Growth Hormone, weight gain etc.

I thought I had a stomach flu. Turns out I've got UC !!! whoo Hooo.lol. (Yhea I'm happy & in good spirits)(Nice to be home and eating and being able to move around)

Long story short, after getting out of 2 different hospitals Monday, 11 days total (ST. Josephs GA.Rocks BTW) And not eating much for 4 weeks before that. I've lost 40 pounds.

I'm a 39 year old male. 6'3" and wasn't fat to begin with. I figure maybe 10 pounds of the 40 was fat. Before I weighed 205/210 Nakid . Now about 165 after a meal.

The question I have is what to do about putting the muscle back on quick ???

Right now a little girl could kick my butt. I'm doing 3 pregs, 1 6mp, & 9 pentasa a day. Taper to 2 pregs next week then 1 the week after.They gave me some remikaid in a IV.

So far I'm doing well. I ate 1800 calories of food and about 120 grams of protein yesterday. Most food I've had in 5/6 weeks.(Ensure HP Rocks) So the food seems to be going in the right direction.

They tell me the preg is what will hold me back.

But assuming I get off of it. I've got to get some muscle back for several reasons.

1. I look like a heroin junkie
2. Chicks don't dig tall, super skinny, heroin junkie, looking guys.
3. I used to be a Electrical Contractor........Meaning my job is/was a work out. I can barely get in a truck right now.
4. If I have to get a low stress, Low effort, job with great benefits, it'd help if I looked like I did 6 weeks ago.
5. And what if I have another attack ? There's not much meat left to lose.
6. I'll never go to the beach again.

Being tall & a hard gainer I can't imagine putting 40 pounds of muscle naturally. It would take years.

Does anybody have similiar stories ???

Has anybody been put on low doses of Test or HGH ???

I want my old body back now !!!

I haven't thought about sex in 6 weeks so I know my test must be in the dirt.

BTW Pentasa is better than asacol. I know it's the same but the pentasa digest better. The one thing I can pass on.

God Love & Bless you.

RB
Posted 10/2/2008 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
First, I am sorry for your diagnosis. UC sucks as we all know. Second, I am a chick and I can honestly tell you that most chicks aren't interested in muscle guys. What women really want is a guy who is a good man.

As for hormone treatments for muscle, you have been diagnosed with a chronic life long disease that will take daily medication and some lifestyle alterations to keep in remission. Do you really want to mess with hormones and possibly upset your good health or even worse increase your risk for cancer?

If you really want to pursue this I would do it under the care of your GI.

Sue
Posted 10/2/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the same boat. I am a 34 year old man I was a slim 145-150 5'10 and have always had that frame. I was hospitilized for 19 days two weeks on ice chips than I got a pic line with the liquid food bags. I became anemic with a count of 7 on my hemogglobin. Luckily I have had a transfusion so my strenght is back up. I lost so much weight I only weigh 120 pounds right now. I am kinda depressed about it. I have started remicaid and I am on prednisone which normally makes people gain weight. I am trying to eat is much as I can and also drinking several insure plus each one is 350 calories. I am out of work for a month but I need some weight before I go back. Luckily my face is a little puffy from the prednisone. Any tips I am eating eggs, chicken, yogurt, bread small amounts of lean ground sirloin(I dont think I can handle a ribye yet). None of my clothes fit me anymore I dont know how much more I can cinch my belt LOL Any tips would help.
Posted 10/2/2008 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain brother I really do. I too workout often or did. used to weigh 170 lbs of solid muscle.
2 1/2 months of straight D and 20 lbs later down to 150. Working out was the only thing that made me fell better in my life. It gave me my self-esteem and relieved my stress. NOW i can't even do that!! it's terrible.
I have no strength or energy. I have been Diag. w/ UC. I too look weak. IT SUCKS!!! All i can say is I will fight it i will eat healthy ofcourse I will go the gym and push it. That's all I can do I WONT SIT HERE AND LET THIS THING BEAT ME DOWN. I suggest you do the same brother. WE CAN DO IT!
Posted 10/2/2008 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
I second suebear's post. 

Ladies fall in love with their ears, not their eyes, meaning it is how you treat her that is important to a woman. 

Also, I know with the ladies, their UC gets worse during their monthly cycles leading to the assumption that hormones may play some role with our disease so if I were you, I would put on the muscle and toning the old fashioned way of weight training.  I certainly would not take any hormones without talking to your GI first.

Posted 10/2/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

You need a diet and workout plan specifically designed for hard gainers/ectomorphs (naturally thin, small-boned, long-limbed) with modifications to the diet for UC. I highly recommend Anthony Ellis' program Gaining Mass. Tall guys like you that started out with an even lower weight have done well on the program. Check this testimonial out:

http://www.musclebuildingcoach.com/public/204.cfm

Basically, you need heavy weight workouts made up of low rep compound moves working each body part very thoroughly but only once a week. Muscle is built in recovery, not in the gym. If you work out too often, you keep breaking muscle down and don't give it a chance to grow.

Your diet needs to be high quality protein, complex carbs and healthy fat. I would recommend protein and meal replacement powders to supplement your diet. Ensure, Boost, etc. are a mistake... loaded with sugar and unhealthy fat. You want to gain muscle, not fat, right? Absorb Plus is a protein powder developed specifically for IBDers. Egg white protein powders are great, too.

Check out the whole program here:

http://musclebuildingcoach.com/

And email me if you want to discuss further. This program took me from a low of about 90 lbs. at my sickest (5'4" female) to a healthy and curvy 119. My "normal" weight prior to getting UC was 105.


Posted 10/2/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree w/ Love. I think you should stay natural. I think we will need to push just a little harder.
I'm not ready to give up.
Posted 10/3/2008 1:55 AM (GMT 0)

don't do the sauce bro unless your test is measured as unusually low.  There could be lots of reasons your not thinking about sex.  Try and let your body recover naturally and with time and see in a few months how you are.  I've been working out a long time and I train like a bodybuilder.  It is certainly hard with all the drugs(pred, 6mp), but it can be done and I have done it.  getting sick is a part of life.  lifters who are healthy etc get hurt all the time(broken bones, joints, tendons, illness etc) and have to start over. it happens.  muscle memory is great.  i've had colitis with various flares for at least 5 years, and i still am able to maintain a physique of 5'9 180-190 lbs and very cut.  Sure I am not huge, but i overall look healthy and I have recovered through periods of being extremely sick. 

you don't like being on all those drugs like pred, 6mp.  well artificial hormones will bring their own slew of side effects that will cause other problems.   if you value your longterm health physical and mental, id suggest against the juice.  I know many people on it and sure short term is a quick fix and you will feel good... but when you come off it if you will feel like hell(for months maybe longer) even with proper PCT.  If you don't do it correctly, you will ruin your health and hormones permanently.  Normally bodybuilders who do steroids need to be in very good shape to begin with and have alot of knowledge of the steroids/cycles they use as well as the type of workouts and diet necessary required for that particular cycle.  If all of those factors aren't considered, you will not gain no matter how much juice you pump into your veins. 

I'd suggest going to bodybuilding.com and reading the articles and forums.  I've learned a tremendous amount of information over about diet/working out.  After I get through this latest flare I am going to become a personal trainer in my part time.   You will learn what your body can tolerate and what it can't being that you have UC now.  However there are alternative wieght gaining foods that will allow you to put on some weight and muscles.   Knowledge is the key.  Always research before jumping to quick solutions. 

Any questions let me know.

Vin


Post Edited (Vin) : 10/2/2008 8:00:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/4/2008 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
RB,

I understand its disconcerting to not have the strength you are accustomed to.  Although my weight loss this year wasn't as significant as yours, I have lost a great deal of muscle mass and strength.  I've got droopy flab on my arms where they once were tone.  I feel the muscle weakness doing simple things like walking upstairs or getting up after sitting.  I wonder if prednisone (which I took plenty of from April thru September) or 6-mp (which I've started in late May and am still taking) can sort of "eat" your muscles?  I tried Ensure and Boost for awhile because my GI recommended it and when I first got out of the hospital my head was too foggy to do much more than follow instructions.  But later as my mind got clearer, reading the ingredients they don't seem healthy to me.  Taking HGH sounds unhealthy to me to.  I hope you get better suggestions here and/or from your doctors.  I've found this forum really helpful.  P.S.  I agree with the other girls who have said the amount of muscle isn't what attracts us to men!

All,

Anyone else have good results with Absorb Plus?  I just went to the website for it and it looked interesting.  Or have other healthy products to recommend as alternatives to Boost/Ensure for protein and calories?

Posted 10/4/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain my friend, but turning to roids or other unnatural growth methods are asking for trouble. Your body needs to heal itself, and pumping yourself full of junk isn't going to help anything.

Three years ago I was lifting regularly, running 5 to 10 miles a day, plus going out hiking/backpacking/climbing every weekend. Then I got a c diff infection, lost 40lbs, and barely had the strength to bring in my groceries. Then I got diagnosed with UC, and to be honest, I've never been the same since. Lifting and running have some possibly embarassing effects on me now, so I haven't been able to do much of either. I miss exercising more than anything I've been unable to do since my dx.

There are ways of putting the weight back on, but maybe it's better to be thin for a while? I'm 6'1", and stayed around 220lbs most of my adult life. Right now, due to prednisone, my weight is the same, but it is mostly in my face and mid-section. I've been able to regain most of my strength due to the physical labor I do for work, but I definitely am not as defined as I was. I just take solace in knowing that I was able to get the strength back, and hope that I can lose the bloat when I stop the pred.

Keep the faith, and stay off the juice. Patience is the key. When your body is ready, you'll get back in shape.
Posted 10/5/2008 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I absolutley have been there bro. And sorry ladies, the "Girls dont care about muscles" probably isnt going to make him feel any better. Im personally a bit of hipster. I dress in name brand clothes. Drive a nice car, with nice rims (not that spinny crap, just classy). I am have a pretty hot girlfriend, who also likes to dress nice, and wear makeup every day. I personally normally weigh around 140 lbs. During my diagnosis, and during my current flare I dropped to 120. 20 pounds off a person who weighs 140 is A LOT. Im the same, I turned into the heroin junky looking guy. Im glad my girlfriend has stuck with me, but even if she hadnt, life would move on. Plenty of women out there.

I have good news for you though. It will come back. It takes a while, but it will come back. Take your meds EVERY DAY. DONT MISS ONE DOSE. If it doesnt work right away, talk to your doctor. At some point, something will give, and you will see the damage reverse.

For work, Im the same. Im not a laborer, but I was a travelling consultant. UC really really made life difficult. Luckilly I worked for myself, so I was able to manage a tolerable schedule. I can fully understand though that you cant get out of the house right now. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS ON RESTING RIGHT NOW. Your life depends on it. Your energy will return, and then you can start thinking about getting back to normal.

I know its very depressing. I feel that Im a very emotionaly strong person, and trust me, UC is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Im glad I found these forums (just about 8 years late). Everyone here has gone through this, and is gonna be happy to advise you and help keep your spirits up.

Good luck on a quick recovery.
Posted 10/5/2008 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I guess this is one area where the ladies are lucky. The skinnier we get, even if its from being sick, the more we hear we look great!
Posted 10/5/2008 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
The weight will come back on naturally once you attain remission. Don't search for anabolics. Your body can produce its own "juice". UC flares reduce test supplies but only temporarily. Unforunately the body does not receive its ideal nutrient uptake during a flare of diarrhea. The body's natural response is to start cannibalizing itself. Once the big "D" is gone, eat, eat, eat. Eat the things that agree with you most and tear into the protein like it was your job. Cool thing about the body is that it will replenish your physique with little to minimal training to the original setpoint. Its kinda like doing a restore on your PC.

If you keep the fatty foods down and protein high you can use your bodyweight (pushups, dips, squats, etc.) and your normal activities that granted you the muscle to recover your lost muscle. Highly digestible protein like shakes work really well. Probiotics also help you digest more of what you eat and can assist in food and vitamin assimilation as they break down foods. Don't put yourself down by saying you look like a junkie. It comes back, trust me, I've been there.

It takes a fraction of the time to recover muscle that has already been built than to make new muscle thru anabolism (the reason we lift weights) Anyone who has ever broken a leg or an arm knows what I'm talking about. When the cast comes off, you are like "Look at this!" as the muscle underwent atrophy and looks very small. When you get back to doing your normal activities, the muscle comes back quick! Same thing with UC weight loss. Hope this helps.
Posted 10/5/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I agree you weight and fitness level will come back. Plus I think you said you were on prednisone (most people gain weight with that anyway). You can do this. It just will take time, I know that is not what you want to hear. But we all want our old bodies back.
Posted 10/6/2008 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies guys.

I didn't mean to imply I was thinking of buying my own HGH or Test & administering it my self. I was just wondering if Endocrinologist were used by UC patients for muscle loss.

Right now I get a bit better everyday, and today started to taper the Pren to 40 mgs a day. And I'm able to eat enough I'm off the ensure. I agree about the ensure but It kept me alive for 2 weeks. Saturday was the day I was able to eat enough Calories & protein to start weaning off of them. I have my good hours and bad. Just trying to stay happy & not think about the future. It's too depressing right now.

I'm seeing My GI Doc tomorrow and will report back what he thinks about seeing a Endo in the future.

BTW if somebody does a search & reads this in the future. Doing Test will raise your blood sugar to really high amounts.(Bad) The pren has already done that for me as it is. Adding Test on top of that would certainly kill me. If your thinking about doing HGH which many call the "fountain of youth", I don't know much about it except it is so expensive. And you have to run it for months. Forget about it too unless it's covered and a endo is administering. I personally asked my GP about it. She said that She's would have to open a drive through for all the customers .lol. She said the negative is bone cysts or something. But She's a GP not a Endo so who knows...... Personaly I hope my GI say's yhea, seeing a Endo Is a great Idea. But I know what he's going to say.

Thanks for the replies.

RB
Posted 10/7/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)

Just about everyone has given you great advice RB.  We know exactly what you're going through.

Two years ago went from 185 to 155 (male 63) with the big flare-up and ended up in hospital for a week.   I now weigh 195 but it has been gradual.  I started walking straight away from 10 minute round the block working up to 45 minutes every day.   A friend told me porrige (oatmeal) was a big factor in his recovery from heart surgery so I was having a bowl of that about 3 times a week with honey on the top.   Your body just loves oatmeal, trust me!

Then when my energy started to come back I pump iron twice a week (about a 20 minute workouts)  Princesa is spot-on about concentrated heavy weight training as you will now need to get density back into your bones.   The prednisone does a number on your bones so calcium with vit.D is a must.

Hang in there R.B.  It will all come good in the end!

Posted 10/7/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mack.

Saw the GI today. The one that saved me from my first GI. And he was open to the idea of seeing an Endo.

He thinks once I get off the Pren I'll start getting it back. I'm on 40mgs now. 60 last week. and no telling how much being in the hospital for 11 days. 20 next week. 10 the next if all goes well.

If I end up seeing an Endo I'll report back but it'll be a least a month assuming I do.

Thanks for the replies.

RB
Posted 10/31/2009 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
My teenaged son has successfully been putting on weight (he dose not have an IBD but is naturally thin, he takes after me, fast metabolisim) and he's been quite successful with doing protein shakes with chocolate milk (choc milk is a huge benefit when drank right after a workout) and I add a banana to it, plus as you know, the more calories you take in (and as long as you're working out with weights) the more muscles you'll gain (only if you're working with weights). It's taken him some times cuz he finds the shakes really filling but he's slowly getting there (to where he wants to be), and let's face it, when you have a speedy metabolism it makes it that much harder.

:)
Posted 11/1/2009 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Keep the faith...

I was diagnosed with UC in Aug, but I have been fighting it for 2 years. Once I got on the proper meds and got it under control the weight came back.

I used to lift 4 days a week and run almost every day. I have not worked out once since Aug, I just have no energy at all. Although I think I am going to hop on the treadmill and walk a mile today. My resting heartrate used to be about 50 from all the running, now it is close to 100.

I normally weigh about 190 and am 6 foot tall, during my flare I got down to the mid 160s and I looked sickly, but I am slowly gaining weight back.
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