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Posted 3/23/2013 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
I thought I would never complain about losing weight.  I went from a lean, athletic 155lb to 180lbs over twenty years (a desk job and bad diet consisting of high fat, high calorie food would do that, obviously).  I tried several diets to get down to 170lb, which I thought was a good weight for me but I would fail miserably because I love sugary foods way too much.

Then GERD/Gastritis/H. Pylori has knocked me on my butt less than 2 months ago out of the blue.  Diet changes were made (because they said it would help with the symptoms, but it didn't) and soda pop, deserts and high fat foods were eliminated.  Now I am eating oatmeal, banana, salads and veggie burgers and grilled chicken.  On a good day, I may consume 1500 calories.  I am now at 165 lbs.  15 lbs lost in about 1.5-2 months. 

Today, I tried one of those calorie calculators and at my age and height and it said I need to consume nearly 2400 calories a day just to maintain my weight at 165lbs.  How is that possible when you are trying to eat healthy?  Am I resigned to just losing weight?  And it seems like I am losing muscle more than the love handles around my midsection.  At times, I get paranoid that there is some big bad disease inside me that the doctors simply missed. 

Any suggestions on how I can increase caloric intake?  I am lactose intolerant so I can't have ice cream which would have been lovely.

 

Posted 3/24/2013 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Since NF surgery +10 days, I have become much more conscious of protein content of food rather than silly things like flavor or texture. According to my info, if a person of my size, 6', 200 lbs. doesn't consume 60 grams of protein per day, the body will find it's protein source in your muscle mass. Since protein is the building block of cells and other body parts, it is more vital than calories, etc. Therefore I am drinking protein shakes and other supplements in addition to my liquid diet
Posted 3/24/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. That makes sense. With gerd, I have changed my diet significantly and am aware that as bad as I was eating before, I was getting plenty of protein through burgers, hot dogs, pizza and dairy. Now, I just cant have any of these things.

I am going to look into a nondairy protein shake supplement.
Posted 3/24/2013 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Chris,

Good Morning.  One thing that caught my eye was your concern that something else could be causing your weight loss - do discuss this concern with your Dr.  I suspect the change in your diet accounts for your weight loss. 

If you choose 2,400-calorie diet it would be best to include three meals and three snacks with each meal containing 600 calories and each snack 200 calories.  Keeping your meals and snacks around the same size will help keep you energy levels consistent. To balance your nutrient intake, try to include as many food groups as possible at each meal.  You can maximize your vitamin and mineral intake by choosing mostly nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and lactose free dairy products.

Calories calculators are great but the suggested weights etc are just that, suggested and not considered an absolute as we each have different metabolisms.  I think we all know someone who eats whatever they want, fast foods, lots of snacks, candy, popcorn etc day in and day out and they never gain weight while other of us walk past a chocolate cake and gain 5 lbs. smhair

Take care and good for you for eating healthy.

 

Posted 3/24/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Kit, thank you for your concern. Like you say, a big part of the weight loss is my diet. I just dont eat junk food or high fat, high calorie food anymore. But then again, it's not like it's because of self discipline. I just can't eat like I used to because of the gastritis.

And I suspect that the gastritis is also causing some nutrient absorption issue. Finally, I have had anxiety, which I know can speed up metabolism. I know all this but I just get a little depressed when I step on the scale and see that number go down.
Posted 3/24/2013 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Chris,
Let us try consoling you with this random data. ;)

When my daddy found out he had a stomach cancer 20 years ago, he was gaining weight. He was rail thin all his life and finally got a little fat here and there and boom! It happened.
And they cut about half of his stomach out and he started losing. His stomach is not moving very well like me and he just doesn't have good appetite and eats like a bird.
He is now fish bone thin(5'4 small man but still a man, under 94lb and still losing.) but goodness, he is healthy. Healthier than any of eating-happily anything they want-people i have ever known. At the age of 78 he is an avid blogger, Learning computer programing, water color, tai-chi. Lol
Notice that he lost all his weight after the surgery not because of the cancer.
It's going to be alright, dear. Take it easy.
I found i lost another pound so i bought myself small piece of cream cake today but i will probably make 4 servings out of it since i eat so mall at a time so i don't see how it's going to help me. Lol
All My sisters talk about is losing weight and they are even thinking about face lifting these days. I don't have to care about my weight at least. How nice! Gift for my aging self.
Posted 3/24/2013 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ej, how ironic that your father was gaining weight even though he had cancer. To be honest, I am like your doctor who freaked out over you losing a tiny bit of weight. It just that I get paranoid some time and equate losing weight to some sort of terminal disease like stomach cancer, even though that has already been ruled out by an endoscopy. Even when logic tells me that if I cant eat due to my gastritis, then I am going to lose weight. Even when logic tells me that because of the antibiotics that I have been taking, I have been sweating a lot at night losing water weight. A negative mindset is perhaps a bigger obstacle than the disease itself.

Your father may be half of my size but he is 10x the man I am. You tell him he is my hero.
Posted 3/27/2013 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Chris, you and I seem to cross paths alot since we have almost the same health issues going on. Everyday is a stuggle with gastritis isn't it. I too constantly worry about losing weight. I started off at 133, now I'm 108 and still losing some days. When I'm feeling good my weight is consistent. I had a period of 2 weeks where I didn't lose or gain. But when I have a bad flare up...then it's trouble. I lose my appetite, I'm in pain and I lose about 5 pounds in a matter of days. Then I can't seem to get not even 1 pound of it back!! There are days also where I lose 1-.5 pounds here and there. All those lost pounds add up in the end. Even when I think I've eaten a good amount of food the for day, I step on the scale and it shows I lost a pound. It's so frustrating! If anyone out there knows the secret to gaining back this weight, please let me know what I should be doing or eating. I even had a chest/abdomin/pelvic CT scan to make sure I didn't have cancer somewhere and it all came back normal.

Post Edited (natitc) : 3/26/2013 7:00:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/27/2013 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Nat, my weight loss concern has to do directly with my paranoia with cancer.  To be honest, if I knew 100% that I didn't have cancer, I actually wouldn't care what I weighed.  I weighed as much as 185 but I'll be the first one to tell you that was too much weight for my natural skinny frame.  I am kind of at my perfect weight right now around 165 to be honest.  I remember in college, I was 6ft. tall and weighed 150-152 and the only way I could put on weight was to lift weights because I just couldn't gain weight any other way.  Before all this happened, I actually tried to lose weight but couldn't because banana, oatmeal, a turkey sandwich with light mayo and chicken soup with brown rice just wasn't enough food and I would just be famished.  It was adonut, another pastry, coffee with cream and lots of sugar, a 20 piece chicken mcnugget + fries + coke with 1 or 2 additonal refills and then for dinner, panda express three items + another can of coke.  That's how I got to 185.  Since I got gastritis, I just can't eat like that anymore.  I would literally puke. 

Aside from my cancer phobia, my problem is that the amount of food I am eating apparently isn't providing enough energy.  So it's more than just a number.  I feel tired and my muscles have shrunk so I can't walk as much and carry things as well.  Perhaps my body is used to running on all that junk and can't function properly with the dramatic reduction in calories for the moment.  Having gastritis and taking PPI's probably is preventing my body from maximizing the caloric intake as well.   

I know that I don't practice what I preach that well myself but that's what buddies are for.  To encourage and keep each other accountable.  You need to concentrate on the quality of food that you are consuming than the weight.  Make sure you are getting proper nutrition.  You know that you don't have cancer so what are you afraid of?  Eat healthy and focus on maintaining energy rather than the weight.  Focus on healing the stomach and you will eventually be able to eat.  Don't overeat because you feel ok temporarily and you feel like you need to gain that weight back as fast as possible because if your stomach is not ready, then it's one step forward and two steps back.

If you are not lactose intolerant, go eat ice cream.  Go to GNC or browse amazon and get yourself some protein powder and increase your caloric intake that way.

Posted 3/27/2013 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Chris, I'm stilln not convinced I have something else going on with my body because it's hard for me to believe that I could lose all this weight so quickly. I've been chubby for the last 15 years and trying hard to lose weight unsuccessfuly. I'd really like to gain another 5-7 pounds but I don't think that will ever happen. I'm tired of wearing clothes that are 2 sizes too big for me.
In your case, if the food you're eating isn't giving you enough energy or you're feeling weak, then there is a problem. Maybe there are some vitamin supplements you can take?? Your blood work is good?? Vitamin D oK? Maybe it's that magnisum thing.
In my case, I don't really feel weak, I actually have more energy since the weight loss. Although I can't do much exercise or activity with an ailing stomach. It's funny because before gastritis, I was so sluggish and always had migranes every week (that's how I got gastritis in the first place, taking too much advil). All I wanted to do was nap. Since the gastritis, I may have had 2 migrane headaches in the last 4 months. Well, I guess something good came out in all of this at least.
Posted 3/28/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Nat, if your energy level is good, then all the better. I would pay someone a large sum of money if they can tell me exactly why I have such low energy and remedy it for me.

I do think there is something going on nutrition wise with me. However, my doctors don't seem to think along those lines. In fact, I don't think they are trained to think about nutrition or side effects. See the other thread for my horrible experience with my doc today.
Posted 3/28/2013 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chris,
I am having weight loss problem now too :(. Right now I am trying to increase my portion at dinner time to see if I can gain my 5 lbs back in 2 weeks. After that I am going to ask my GP to test for B12 and magnesium deficiency. The only thing I am taking right now is one Zantac 150mg before bedtime. I have gastritis since Feb. 2011. You mentioned that you have low energy, have you thought of trying acupuncture? I have been going since Jan. 2012 and it is helping.
Posted 3/28/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chris,

Before my surgery, when I'd have a bout of gastritis and esophagitis (which occurred two or three times a year), I'd always lose about 20 pounds during attack and recovery period.  Once healed, I'd gain the weight back whether I wanted to or not.

Since I couldn't eat (very much at all) I would drop weight easily.  Once I felt better and started eating more normally, it would come back.

Hang in there...once you're feeling better the weight will return.

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 3/28/2013 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Vivian, you said you had gastritis for over a year now....has it gotten any better? were you symptom free at one point? What meds were you taking before and how did you get yourself down to one Zantac a day? The reason I ask is because I've had gastritis since 11/12 and has never really gotten better. I know alot of it has to do with diet also and I never really stuck to a strict diet since I had gastritis. But now, I want to get rid of this thing and am trying really hard to watch what I eat. Can you offer me any advise?
Posted 3/28/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Natitc,
It's funny I was going to ask you something on the other thread :). All my health problems starting with a vertigo attack Oct. 2010 and then I was so anxious and in Feb. 2011 that was when my gas problem started! I had an endoscopy done in June 2011 and they found gastritis. I was put on PPI for three months and I was never really symptoms free. I was having hair loss problem while on them so I went looking for ways to not taking the PPI. I started taking Taichi lessons and got to know my instructor, she is also an acupuncturist so I've been going to her since Jan. 2012. I've also been to a Naturopath Doctor and she puts me on some digestive enzymes and work with me on my diet. I've been doing a lot in the last year. It's getting better for me except I still want to drop the Zantac as well. My throat is much better these days, no lumpy feeling :). I still have gas but it's more manageable. Hope this helps.
Posted 3/28/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking any meds?

I have lived with GERD for about 40 years. The first 5-6 were spent trying to figure out why I hurt and buying TUMS by the bottle and never without some in my pocket and car. Then I saw a good doc, got diagnosed and started taking omeprazole.

I have been almost symptom-free ever since.

My deep apology if you've tried all this, and I get that you are scared you may have cancer. Well, I do, just not in the gastro system. (It's prostate and I'm treated, but I have never been more aware of my interior plumbing, and my radioactive "seeds" that will kill the cancer - and the prostate.

:-(

It's smart to be vigilant. The regrettable fact is that the correlation of a diagnosis of some kind of cancer with age is pretty obvious.

If you don't die of an accident or some other actuarial event, you will probably live long enough to get some kind of cancer. I did!

And it's being treated and it'll very likely (95%+ for we statisticians) going to be cured.

And then I'll get hit by a bus....  

Sorry... it just popped into my head.

I wish you well and I am sending a prayer your way, if you don't mind.  

 

Posted 3/29/2013 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
CT Umpire, I wish it was that easy.  As far as GERD is concerned, you are a lucky one if Prilosec is all you need.

You probably truly have acid reflux.  That's why Prilosec helps you.  I think many of us really don't have GERD or acid reflux.  We just have symptoms of it so docs try to treat it with PPIs and antacids and since the underlying cause is not treated, it just doesn't work for us.

Thank you for your kind words.

Posted 3/29/2013 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
 

Hi all,

I am so concerned about weight loss also.  I am not even sure when I began to lose weight, sometime after a dr. visit last summer?  Everything was good at that time.  I never get on a scale, just gage it by my clothes.  When I started having the stomach issues in Dec. 2012, I didn't even realize I had lost weight until I went to the Dr. in Jan. to get something for the constant burping and distress in my stomach.  I weighed in about 8 lbs less than the summer visit, and he was all concerned about that and not my distress.  When he went and brought in approx. 8 lab tests for me to have, Including a CT scan of my HEAD!, I thought what the hell?  what about my stomach ????  It didn't surprise me, since my appetite had

been off for over a month.  

I got home that day and realized that he had never addressed my reason for the visit in the first place.  I knew that day that I needed to change doctors.

I went to the hassle of finding a new Dr......and when I went they said it was gastritis......oh goodie, I thought.   now what?   I refused to take the PPI the Dr. wanted me on (maybe a mistake?)......and took zantac twice a day, 75mg,

then I had a constipation problem, even though my stomach felt better at least for the first couple weeks.  My appetite sucked also.  Since zantac was all I was taking, I blamed it for the lack of appetite, etc........so quit that also.

I have been ok, just ok for a couple weeks now, but still have the nagging feelings in my gut, almost like hunger pangs, but not.  Wow, I am so tired of not feeling well, not wanting to clean or anything.  Not like me.

I wonder also if something is really wrong with me???  or will this thing just finally go away????.......

Today I woke up feeling crappy, but have to go shopping for Easter dinner, oh yippee, we are having company on sunday.......yikes!

Sorry for the long post.

Posted 3/29/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tummy,
For me I have a hard time with my anxiety!!! I always listen to my body now. I notice every change in my body, my head, etc. I know it's not helping my GERD but I can't help it. I did ask my GP for some anxiety pills but she won't prescribe them to me. I think part of my weight loss have a lot to do with my anxiety level. When I first came out with GERD, I did loose a lot of weight. I had vey low energy then but now my energy is not bad. I am taking Multivitamin + Probiotic everyday. I am supposed to take Calcium/Magnesium + Fish oil as well but these two supplements give me more gas so I have to stop for now. All of these supplements have been given to me by Naturopath Doctor. I also drink camomile tea everyday. I know how you feel as I was generally healthy before this GERD thing! I want my old self back.

Have a good Easter everyone.
Posted 3/29/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
redface   I suffered with anxiety for years......I posted about that on another thread. 

I had it bad after my husband passed and lost weight at that time.

After a year or so, I finally began to cook again and slowly gained it back.

So the last 4 years or so, I have not had to take  medication for the anxiety.

I would not go to work or drive unless I had some medication with me.

The anxiety would make me useless.....I hated taking it, but it helped me a lot.

People that never have had it don't understand.  I think I have lost more weight just because I worry about it all the time.........grrrrrr.

Your Dr. should give you something for it.  I used to take a 0.5  mg Xanax and cut into 4 pieces.  1 piece would really help me!.....one RX would last me forever, lol.

I saw on Dr.Oz the other day, a spray called  "Rescue Remedy", it is made of flowers, totally natural, it is supposed to help with anxiety.  You just spray it in your mouth.  I thought I would pick up some myself.

Happy Easter to you too.

Posted 3/29/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Gail, I am sorry that you are not feeling so great. As you know, I am pretty much in the same boat as you. If you have gastritis, it's quite normal to feel these nagging feelings in the gut, especially when your stomach is empty. I read that when you have gastritis AND no food in the stomach, the stomach is exposed to the acid and you get that nagging feeling. For me, this is quite confusing because they feel like hunger pangs but at the same time, I do not have a desire to eat. Anyway, this can be alleviated somewhat by constantly snacking although that too is easier said than done. Eating has become such a chore when it used to be one of my joys. :<

By the way, I do recommend that if your doctor wants you to get tests done, just get them done if your insurance covers it. It might sound ridiculous but at the same time, it's good to just rule things out for your long term psyche. Have a great Easter and feel free to keep this thread going. I am here for you :)

Vivian, I know what you mean also. I too am listening to my body, perhaps too much and getting all worked up. Every little twitch, every little pain. It is true that anxiety tenses up your body and possibly metabolism speeds up. I wanted to ask you a bit more about your weight loss. I too have lost weight in the past 2 months and have really low energy. Not eating AND being stressed out can do that, I suppose. I also have insomnia now because my sleep is all messed up. You said your energy is not bad now. How long did it take for you to get some of your energy back? Is it a direct result of your supplements? I am going to see a naturopath doctor as well.
Posted 3/29/2013 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tummy, I will look the spray up. My GP told me as long as I can still function she won't give me pills.
Posted 3/29/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chris,

Just leaving for the market, uck!

Thanks for the pep talk.  Yep, my stomach feels just like you described.

My energy level is down too, but I think it is being alone too much and being bored!!

I am supposed to go back to the Dr. in April, God help me if I have lost a bunch of weight since the last time!......I have been obsessed with trying to eat and gain back a couple pounds before then.  Another stressor!

I just posted to Vivian that on Dr. Oz the other day, he recommended this spray called "Rescue Remedy"  it is made of flowers and is totally natural, you spray it in your mouth when you feel anxious.  The claimed it really works??

I am sure Sprouts has it and thought I would get some and see if would help with the constant worry lately.

Off to the market. 

Posted 3/29/2013 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Happy cooking to you Gail :-)

Hi Chris, it took me almost a year to get back most of my energy. I was trying so many different things from my diet to exercise. Like I did Taichi for awhile and I stopped because it was too slow for me and could not meditate. Right now I am doing spinning once a week and I love it. I also try to walk on my treadmill after dinner for about 20 minutes. The key I find for me is you have to find a right combination of diet and exercise to have some control over your GERD and then you can reduce the pills. I was on 3 different enzymes already and right now I am doing DGL 20 minutes before each meal. I spent quite a bit of money on my supplements and they are helping. When I first started having GERD, there was days that I couldn't swallow. I was so worried about heart attack as my younger brother had one few years ago!!! So on and on I was panicking about one thing and then another. It the PPI didn't cause my hair loss I am sure I was still on them. So glad that I can share this. :-)
Posted 3/30/2013 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Well, had to resort to a zantac last night.  OMG, will this ever end?

I must say it did not help much like it did when I first started taking it over a month ago.  I thought I was doing better not needing it, then last night my stomach was killing me.  

Have any of you tried any of the other H2 blockers, like Tagamet, or something different from zantac (ranitidine)?  spelling............

Chris, my new dr. was going to get my records from last summer, ultrasound of abdomen, etc, however everything was good in the summer.  I know he will send me for another one.  He also mentioned a scan, but I am terrified of them, so don't know what to do about that?   feel like crap so far this am.  ;(

maybe its the stress from having company tomorrow?????

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