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Posted 11/10/2007 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
has anyone had the problem of being able to keep weight on or gaining it when in remission.  I am eating enough caloroes and good foods no junk and I seem to still be slowly lossing weight?  I have always been thin but I weigh 114lbs at 5'6'' and a female and cannot put on weight.  ANy thoughts? 
Posted 11/10/2007 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..it'll take a while for you to keep it on.

What exactly are you eating? Have you calculated how much you're eating in calories?

q
Posted 11/11/2007 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
This was my first flare and I weighed 117 at 5"4 and after 6 weeks went to 105lbs. I feel anorexic. I have been stepping on the scale now since I am out of the flare and still 105---still waiting on gaining those lbs back:) LOL
Posted 11/11/2007 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
I so wish I had a problem keeping weight on or losing it. I actually gain weight when I'm flaring. I'm not sure how that is possible, but if it can happen to me, it will :-)

Good luck. If you want a program to help you gain weight or help maintain your weight, check out www.myfooddiary.com It costs 9 dollars a month, and is so worth it. I use it to lose weight, but you can also use it to gain weight. It's a great tool!
Posted 11/11/2007 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I think it can be just as hard for some people to lose weight as it is for people to gain weight. After that thought...........

When I was flaring bad and on prednisone I lost 10 pounds, I had some junk in my trunk to lose anyway but have since gained it back and am have not gained anymore (silver lining). But let me offer some weight gaining advice. Cheese, cheese and more cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola cheese, brie, goat cheese also.....chips (chips are not good advice but if you become additcted you will gain weight.....my small attempt at a joke). Anyhow, cheeses do have a lot of fat in them and if you like them adding them to meals should help pack on a few pounds. I make a mean gorgonzola burger!
Posted 11/12/2007 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Ok well it seems my flares are getting worse and my weight is going up. I am going to see gastro soon. do you all not eat at all during a flare? Well I guess the only good thing of this could be losing weight for me anyway. Hope you all feel better soon and for those of you who want to put a few pounds on.

 

Posted 11/12/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
HoneysBunny - Welcome to HealingWell!

In many cases, UC patients loose weight because of the chronic D. Food just does not stay IN long enough for nutrients to be absorbed. OR they loose weight because they become anorexic - don't eat because it makes them feel bad, makes them run to the restroom too frequently, causes cramping and abdominal pain, etc.

However, you MUST eat while in a flare to provide your body the nutrients that it needs to heal.

Maddi - I agree with those that recommend a visit to the dietician. A review of your diet is in order to make sure you're getting those things you need to heal and to make sure you're at a good weight for you. I find myself eating poorly because those junk food items seem to be easier to break down than the fruits and vegies I should be eating.

Take care!
Posted 11/12/2007 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
i lost 40lbs while flaring... and since (a year later) im still flaring, i have not gained it back. went down to 100lbs at 5'3'' after the hospital a few weeks ago and back up to 108lbs and staying there.

im on 50mg of prednisone a day with the munchies from hell and i eat quite a bit (junk food and good food) but can't put anymore weight on.

im crossing my fingers that it goes straight to my ass cuz its gone all flat and dropped 3 inches. YUCK. i need my bum back!!!
so im eating all kinds of food and hoping.
Posted 11/12/2007 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've been thin all my life so I know where the "danger" zone for me is. I am 5'6" at 120lbs right now but if I go below 115lbs then I know it's time to review my diet. You would be surprised when you count your calories of actually how little you are cosuming! I did this and I couldn't believe I was eating so little. It felt like a ton of food only because I was flaring and what goes in must come out. And when flaring that can hurt! But definately review your calorie intake and try to add a small few meals in thru out the day if you can.
Posted 11/13/2007 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to look into Absorb Plus, a nutritious shake specifically formulated for IBD patients with compromised digestions.

http://www.holistichealthshoppe.com/#6

I'd be careful with the cheese suggestion. Many IBDers have problems with dairy. Some other options weight gaining options are nut butters, avacado and supplementing with healthy fats: fish, flax, olive and Udo's. Check your local health food store for protein powders and meal replacement powders. These are healthier choices than Boost and Ensure.

Starting a gentle weight training program is a great way to put healthy weight back on, and it's good for your bones if you're on Prednisone.
Posted 11/15/2007 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
i can totally relate--i have tried to gain weight for a long time. now, i am finally at a weight i am somewhat comfortable with (115 lbs at 5 feet 7 inches), but for a long time i was under 100 pounds. what really helped was eating lots of hummas, avocado (or guacomole) and bananas. they are (for me) okay to eat in a flare and have lots of good fat. good luck!
Posted 11/15/2007 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Boy, I wish I could trade weight with those of you who gain weight in a flare-- I always lose and would be a happy "taker." Now, I happen to benefit, IBD-symptom-wise, from eating low-carb, but as a side effect it has made me skinnier than I used to be in my high carb days .... so leaving aside the harsh wars of beliefs between about high fat/low carb vs. low-fat/high carb, low-carb is the easiest way to keep off the pounds. Not the reason I am low carb, but for those who gain (or can't lose excess) during flares, consider trying it and benefiting from that side effect.
Posted 11/15/2007 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Peanut butter and olive oil.  They are both high in calories and healthy fat.  I am currently 165lbs (5'10'' male).  I dropped to 147lbs 5 months ago before I found this site and decided to be more aggressive in fighting back against UC.  Even before UC I was always on the thin side and this disease causes me to lose weight if I don't monitor my diet.  When I want to put on a few pounds, I eat spoonfuls of peanut butter several times per day.  I will also take a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil.  Both are easy on the stomach, too.

Posted 11/15/2007 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I could eat nut butters, but they make me flare. As a low-carber for my UC (though I believe it for general health too) I do eat alot of fat including alot of olive oil, but my "set weight" has dropped down (110-115 lbs male, but I'm only 5'01") about 10 lbs from my high carb days and I just get tired of eating fatty foods. I can gain some weight on my half-and-half homemade yogurt but I get loose stool if I eat more than about 2 or 3 cups a day of it.
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