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Still losing weight...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted Today 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all -
I recently saw my GI, last Wednesday, the day before thanksgiving
He came in, asked me a few questions then told me to drink 4x boosts a day because I lost 9 more lbs since last time. I'm a 5'5" male, weighing 133. I figured that was a healthy weight but all of my bones (hips, ribs, collar bones, etc) stick out 2+ inches and I'm still constantly losing weight and I'm not sure why. I'm not in a flare, I don't have constant diarrhea and I eat pretty well, with the boosts on top (I usually can't swallow 4 a day, esp with the price, but I at least get 2x a day)

The only thing else that's currently a problem with me is I am going through a pretty rough patch (I haven't been diagnosed with anything serious yet, but I'm seeing a phychiastrist soon and) I'm on lexapro for a depressive and anxiety episode right now, I'm not sure if this could be the cause of anything too?)

I've got labs drawn, and even tested for HIV because that's all that my drs could think of and everything came back normal. I don't know what this cause is?
Posted Today 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Can you give us more info please? Especially about your bowel habits, diet etc? Do you ever see blood while having a bowel movement (bm)?
Posted Today 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
My bowel habits seem pretty regular, 2-3x a day, pretty regular consistency as well, not too loose.
My diet is mainly chicken and turkey for protein, my tummy doesn't like beef too well. Eat usually 2-3x a day in combination with the boost drinks, and i make most of my food because the processed stuff doesn't fit too well with me either. Go out to eat maybe 1x every 2 weeks.
My tummy hasn't been hurting nearly as bad as it has in the past. I have not seen blood in my stool in quite some time. I take lialda 2x a day.
Posted Today 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
What is the extent of your inflamation. If you are getting enough calories and losing weight than I would look into absorbtion issues
I found boost and ensure irritate me bc of the carrageenans
You can make your own shakes with whole milk, nut butters etc to bulk up
If you make a shake with a cup of whole milk, a raw pasteurized egg ( you don't taste it but it makes it fluffier and it's eggtra protein) 2 tbsp of nut butter and a frozen slightly over ripe banana it's yummy and a lot of calories. It's probably cheaper than boost too😄
Posted Today 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
Get rid of the boost and the doc who told you to use it, They are both full of crap !
Posted Today 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
There's so many things it could be, and we don't know much about you. I'm going to be all over the place here: Have you had your thyroid exqmined (graves disease can make it impossible to gain weight). Have you been tested for celiac disease? Have you had an upper endoscope or imaging done to your small intestine (as that's where nutrients are absorbed, disorders like celiac and crohn's can make it difficult to absorb nutrients). Are your lymph nodes swollen? Are you a heavy smoker? Have you had a recent colonoscopy? They can always order an mri, and/or a bunch of tests to narrow down what's going on.
Posted Today 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering why only protein? Can you tolerate carbs like sweet potatoes, cooked fruits (minus skin), rice, bananas etc?

I regularly get coupons from Ensure. I joined their "club" and get $3.00 off coupons, add that to the sale price at the pharmacy and I pay much less.
Posted Today 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Could be a combo of gut not retaining nutrition and that you are not eating high enough calorie foods. Protein does not add calories but is good to keep muscle healthy. I have no opinion on boost/ensure except my gut could not tolerate it and I prefer to get my calories from whole foods.

Can you add potatoes with butter once a day? Drink a smoothie with coconut milk and coco oil and whatever else you like in the fruit category (strawberries, blueberries, peaches but not pears because they can be laxative). Try NOT to to add sugar which is empty calories and inflammatory. Look at carbs (potatoes, pasta, bread) and add on wherever you can.
Posted Today 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was on bowel rest for several months because my flare was so severe. I had lost 20 pounds and reached dangerously low weight.
The key to surviving and then regaining weight for me has been
Orgain vegan vanilla shakes. (Also comes in chocolate). Had to do vegan because I'm lactose intolerant. I drank as many as 7 or 8 per day depending on my activity level.
Couldn't digest anything else other than this. I had tried many other 'nutritional shakes' and this one is the only one I could digest. Also stayed hydrated with chicken broth, green tea, lots of water with electrolytes. Doctor supervised & blood labs all good. I was desperate, and thankfully found this solution.
Have gradually reintroduced protein, light starches. Still a very bland diet and supplementing with these shakes.
Maybe it would help you too.
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