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Loosing weight, why???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/18/2008 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I just keep loosing weight :-(

I don't know why. I eat a solid 3 meals per day as well as having 3x 1.5KiloCal Nutritionist shake things.

I also have this cold that is hanging around like a bad smell. Its been 2.5 weeks now.

I am on the drugs listed below.

Am wondering if maybe I need a few more white blood cells to get over this darned cold?

Breakfast consists of a big bowl of porridge with milk, butter and honey. Then a Enlive nutritionist drink.

Lunch is at least 2 bits of bread with something. Today it was 2x toast with butter saute'd mushrooms, yesterday it was mini pizza's with lots of cheese. Then another Enlive.

Then dinner is usually something high-carb, usually a rice dish or pasta with some meat in it. And one more Enlive.

Anyone else had unexplained weight loss?
Posted 5/18/2008 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
aren't you currently flaring? It's pretty much imposible to gain weight during a flare, & conversely, pretty much impossible to not lose weight too! It's something to do with the malabsoroptin factor, the inflammation preventing it. Plus I think the food/calories are going thru you too quickly. If you're losing weight quickly, I'd be more concerned- if it's more of a slow, steady decline then I think you can attribute it to the UC. Until it's controlled you probably will keep losing. Your GI/docs must be aware of the weight loss, no? Do they seem particularly concerned?

Posted 5/18/2008 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Severin,

Please try to reduce the intake of Diary products like milk,chesse,butter while you are loosing weight, it looks like you are flaring or about to flare. It is hard for colon to absorb. Try to add more fruits which are high in calories and see how it goes

Best of Luck
Posted 5/18/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Severin, in addition to the calories lost due to the quick transit time while you're flaring, you body is using surprising amounts of calories to try to heal the inflammation and infection. Your diet looks healthy if you're not lactose or gluten-intolerant, so that's a good thing. Try adding high-protein snacks mid-morning, mid-afternoon and a little before bedtime. Often eating six or seven smaller meals helps.

Am I correct in remembering you're usually physically active? If your physical activity has decreased because of the flare, your muscle-to-body fat ratio may be changing. Even though you may not lose bulk, fat weighs less than muscle, so that could be a factor.
Posted 5/18/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I lost a lot of weight last summer during my first flare even though I was eating normally. I'm pretty sure it at least has something to do with the colon not being able to fully absorb the food.
Posted 5/18/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely start adding protein..eat more often during the day. I'd suggest an egg for breakfast instead of just porridge.

quincy
Posted 5/18/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Eva Lou - I have nothing more to loose. I am heading toward anorexia. My normal weight is 64Kg. I am now floating around 49Kg... I got up to 57Kg, but have lost all of that again over the past 2 months. The flare however appears to be subsiding a little due to this Golimumab drug. I am actually getting loose, and sometimes (nearly) formed BMs. I just hope it helps me put on the weight.

Happyliving - thanks for that hint, I'll try and add more fruit. Something I have stayed away from as I had always had trouble with it. On the other hand, I have been told specifically by the GI nutritionist to eat the dairy as I don't have any negative effects thankfully and its full of protein and fats.

Judilyn - I'll try to add more little meals during the day. Might tie in the idea from HappyLiving and add some fruit in there. I am also exercising way less. Since the divorce I haven't really cared enough to bother. Have only just really started looking after myself again in the past cpl of months. Would exercise be a good idea? Do you think it would help me gain or loose weight?

quincy - Will try to do that. I lived on eggs a while back during the worst of my flare, have trouble looking at them now hehe.
Posted 5/19/2008 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Judilyn is right though- your body is using way more calories than it normally would, when it's in a state of inflammation. So exercising is probably not a good choice. I think it would tax your body right now. Those calorie shakes you're drinking- are they also high protein? I used to pound Ensure High Protein like it was going out of style. At one point, my weight put me in the "anorexic" category, though I hardly welcomed it! My GI was sort of concerned, but.... I dunno, I went on pred, upped the remicade dose, ate tons & tons & TONS of high protein stuff & little by little I gained some back. They weigh you at all the trial visits, right? Has your weight dropped sharply, or has it been a slow, steady decline? Really, unless your doctor or the study docs get worried about it, just try to maintain. Worry about gaining later. Heck, I'll gain for you! I'm sitting here shoveling in mini pnut butter cups.... no wonder I have bad days!

Posted 5/19/2008 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
I'd suggest light exercise. You want to keep your muscles toned, but this isn't a good time for heavy exercise. Once you're maintaining your weight better you can think about stepping it up a bit. For now, try to rest and let your body devote its energy to healing itself.

Hope you're out of the nasty flare soon!
Posted 5/19/2008 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Eva Lou - Yes, Enlive is the fruit version of Ensure and is also a 1.5KCal supplement. The problem is the study doctors are worried as I have lost 7kg's in the past 2 months, with 3Kg's of that being in the past 2.5 weeks since I caught this darned cold. I will admit however that all the coughing disrupts my stomach and completely shatters my appetite.

Judilyn - I am thinking about doing some light aerobic again in the mornings. Nothing strenuous, walking on spot pulling knees up to chest height, crunches, squats etc. Maybe do a couple of sets of 5Kg reps with the weights. Considering all the protein I am consuming, maybe this will help my body use it more efficiently. Unfortunately I don't have a pool at my new place. I LOVE swimming!

I hope this drug continues to work (its Centocor's answer to Humira). So far the Golimumab has been amasing. I started noticing improvement 8 days after infusion and its been 2.5 weeks since infusion now. Each day things get a little bit better. I pray that improved colon function and lowering of inflammation will help my body make better use of the food I am eating.
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