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Posted 6/30/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
 

Is weight loss a common thing with UC?

I've lost 6lbs in about 2 weeks but I kind of put it down to being more active recently.

My appetite is still high, I eat lots but I think i've been in a small flare for the last week or so to.

I also found out that collard greens are meant to be very good for you.

And Nicotine is meant to help?

Posted 6/30/2011 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
wolverine, yes, it is common to lose weight when you're flaring. 6 pounds in two weeks is a bit worrisome. If the flare is mild, you should be using rectal meds to try to get the inflammation to go into remission.

I haven't tried going the nicotine route. I am not sure how much you would have to smoke to see results. There are some posts on success with e-ciggs & many about regular cigarettes if you search the archives. I don't think e-ciggs have nicotine but they are a healthier option if they work for you.
Posted 6/30/2011 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have started back on the enimas the past few days and will keep at it.


Thanks
Posted 6/30/2011 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I was a skinny, sickly sight when I was in a bad flare. I always dropped weight but my UC was really bad.
Posted 6/30/2011 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Except for the 2 times I was on prednisone and my 2 pregnancies, I've been quite skinny since developing UC.
My first flare was the worst and I looked skinny with sickness.

Now that I'm well I'm as light as I was in high school (15 years ago) and skinnier than I was before I had kids but I look healthy, not sick.
Part of it is the disease, part of it is because I don't eat fast food, fried foods or high sugar foods, part of it is from the nicotine (which is an appetite suppressant) and part of it is because I don't eat in the morning until about noon. I'm doing all of these things because they make me feel a lot better.

search for some of the nicotine threads to get more info on the nicotine issue.
Posted 6/30/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
wolverine2,

I once lost about 30 pounds and was hospitalized.

It's quite normal to experience nausea and lose the appetite at times. I got around that by finding the stuff I could eat. I've found that my UC gets worse should I quit eating.

As to the nicotine. My GI doc told me that he prescribes nicotine patches to his patient when they're in the pre-Remicade/6MP stage. After they've started to take those meds, he thinks nicotine does not benefit you at all.

Try the nicotine after you have educated yourself on the subject if you so feel.

Good luck to you and hopefully you'll get your appetite back soon.
Posted 6/30/2011 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
 

 I have an appetite thats not an issue.

 I checked my scales and its nearer 4 lb I think , im guessing water loss through the diarreah and the heat at the minute.

 really frickin blows this disease

Posted 6/30/2011 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
wolverine2,

I think that with both UC and Crohns it's somewhat typical to lose weight.

And the other problem is of course: malnourishment and malabsorption of foods, vitamins, etc...

That's the reason it's so important to supplement.

I've lost 30 pounds within 6 months of being diagnosed with UC.

Yea, UC sucks big  time!

You have to find ways of boosting your nutrition. Have you given any thought to adding a good quality protein whey?

Posted 7/1/2011 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Weightloss is common if you have many bouts of diarrhea over a period of time, or formed multiple bms daily,

I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks when I was first sick (almost 3 years before diagnosis), . But I had continual diarrhea. Although I ate well, I didn't really gain any weight back until I was diagnosed and on meds for a while.

It also took me years to put back what I lost.

For you, I wouldn't say it's a UC-thing. I would say it could be a diet change and activity level that you might not have noticed.

My weight varies about 5 pounds a day....and since I've been using fibre supplements, not totally pigging out on some foods, my weight seems to be more set.
Over the past 3 years, I've lost 20 pounds..I attribute it mostly to adding the fibre supplements to my meals and some food choices.

Hope the rectal meds get you back to feeling better soon.

q
Posted 7/1/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)

wolverine2 said...
really frickin blows this disease

yup, thats just how I feel today. You said it perfectly :-)
Posted 7/1/2011 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
oh yeah. i've been pretty sick since march and i've lost about 40 lbs since then. obviously, i'd like to gain it all back, but eating is difficult.

i think nicotene does help. my dad had uc when he was my age but he's been a smoker all his life and hasn't had another flare. he's suggested that i get nicotene patches to wear but im hesistant.
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