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Posted 8/28/2009 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
One more thing that I don't quite get its this:

My doctor says that UC can be cured by surgery, which I'm aware, and that then you're fine because you absorb what you need in the small intestine...ok ... makes sense. But then, if that's the case, how come I lose weight still when all that's inflammed is my large intestine?? What difference should it make whether it's inflammed or gone as far as weight loss is concerned. Can anyone explain this to me?

I get the other health risks, but just not the whole weight loss thing.

Posted 8/28/2009 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I found that a bit odd too. The surgeon I saw this week said all nutrients and pills would be absorbed just fine. Yet they talk so much about our diets and how during a flareup of the colon we are not getting enough nutrients.
Posted 8/28/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
The nutrients are all absorbed by the small intestine. If you've got diarrhea due to an inflammed large intestine, I wonder if it also moves through your small intesting faster as well. Another reason for weight loss is because your immune system is in overdrive, which I imagine uses up a lot of extra calories, and I know I had no appetite when I was flaring. I imagine we also tend to run a bit dehyrdated during a flare, so are lighter simply due to carrying less water.
Posted 8/28/2009 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
This is one of the many reasons why I'd never consider surgery. My issues start in my stomach/small bowel after eating carbs, and quickly move to my colon. Things just go right through me undigested ... there's no reason to believe this would stop after getting my colon removed so I just eat very low carb and have no problems.

A friend's mom had her colon removed two years ago and still has digestive problems. No heavy inflammation, but there's lots of things she can't eat and she feels her digestion is still poor. That said, she is ~65, so the aging process might be a contributing factor.
Posted 8/28/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)

I want your secrets for losing weight!I am morbidly obese - 240 lbs. and 5 ft.  I am 69 and except for a few years when I lost weight dieting I have always been overweight.  When diagnosed with UC I already had IBS for many years.  Never caused me to lose weight.  I imagine it is because I am a food addict and overeat the food that agrees with me, etc.  Nothing stops me - blood, diarrhea, nothing!!  Also, I have never been anemic or any nutrient problems. I gained about 10 lbs. taking prednisone - trying to lose it now and am down 4 lbs.  Hm???

ElaineNY

Posted 8/28/2009 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Eat fruits and veggies! :) And drink lots of water! :)
(kind of kidding, b/c I know you don't like fruits and veggies, but they're low-fat and low-calorie and are filling!)
Posted 8/28/2009 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

Of course, you are right.  I was instructed not to eat raw food but I have added a little melon and banana once in a while - they seem to do ok in small amounts.  I eat applesauce and canned fruit when possible.  I don't really like any of this except once in a while.  I am a carb addict as in white bread and crackers, etc.  cookieS!!

I do not drink enough water.  It so disagrees with me on an empty stomach -but I keep trying - again in moderation and sips!! By the way, I drank some cold green tea from Liptons on vacation - liked it very much - made me VERY sick - darn!

Posted 8/28/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Most people suffering a UC flare have increased motility - cramping and spasms cause food to move much quicker through the digestive tract, decreasing ability to absorb nutrients. It's my belief when you get bad enough to earn the UC diagnosis, your digestive health is very poor and problems aren't limited to the colon, although that may be the most obvious area affected. All the digestive organs work together. If one is majorly out of whack, it makes sense that system-wide function will be decreased.
Posted 8/28/2009 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
     I've lost about 15 lbs since this flare started in May.  I don't have diarrhea either.  The only thing I can attribute to the weight loss is WHAT I eat.  Salmon at least three times a week, tilapia maybe twice and chicken on the other days.  NO SWEETS at all since my blood sugar skyrocketed to 237 last Friday.  Hope it is just prednisone related but taking a blood test (finger prick) three times a day.  Lots of green mushy vegetables.  I love salad but cannot eat it while flaring.  Rice krispies with Silk for breakfast and usually a yogurt with some fruit for lunch.  I am 5 ft 2 1/2 in and weigh 119 lbs now.  Don't want to lose anymore.
Posted 8/28/2009 11:19 PM (GMT 0)

Now I know why you lose and I gain - sugar.  I eat sugary food all day.  Crave it and eat a lot.  My sugar was 108.  Glad I am not a diabetic (and wonder why with my obesity, etc.).

I would be happy to send you about 40 lbs. - even 20!!  Hang in there.

ElaineNY

Posted 8/29/2009 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Kops2da,
You say you eat sugar all day long, I have read that sugar is an immuno-suppressant. Try doing a 3-5 day sugar fast. Once you get past the first few days you stop craving it, I swear. There are great natural sugar substitutes out there. I highly recommend The Beck Diet Solution by Judith Beck and the Ultra Simple Diet by Mark Hyman. Helping people with feeling great about their bodies/weight is a great passion of mine, if that is your goal, good luck and feel free to ask me anything.

All the best,
TPT
Posted 8/29/2009 2:44 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks TPT.  Have cut back on sugar a lot and reading labels to avoid corn syrup, etc.  I use Stevia for sweetening coffee/tea/etc.  Just some days I don't really care!

ElaineNY

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