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Difficulty eating=unwanted weight loss

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 11/13/2011 8:18 PM (GMT -5)
Hey all, Im still in the "maybe crohns group" until i get my colonoscopy but until then...

I barely have an appetite and my clothes are getting too big for me. Any ideas on how to gain or even maintain my weight. Sometimes, Im just so tired, Id rather sleep than eat. Plus, I get so constipated that Im still "full" from the previous meal. Not too mention, the stabbing pains in the lower right area when i DO eat

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

Posted 11/13/2011 8:27 PM (GMT -5)
Some people drink ensures. I used to, but they were too sweet and went right through me.
Posted 11/13/2011 8:53 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks. I never thought about that. It can be used as a subsitute meal? Obviously thats not ideal, but for now...
Posted 11/14/2011 8:21 AM (GMT -5)
Think high calorie, low volume. Like adding a little bit of butter to your cracker, or Peanut Butter. Have a hard boiled egg as a snack. Slice of hard cheese. It doesn't have to be much, but if you add a few of these type of snacks in a day (100 calorie snacks) you will have added several 1000 calories over the course of a week. And really 3 or 4 crackers isn't that much, but it adds up. You can do a google search on 100 calorie snacks and probably come up with tons of ideas that are quick and easy.
Posted 11/14/2011 8:31 AM (GMT -5)
I do a diet called SCD. For most folks doing this diet, after some time they naturally get to their ideal weight, so for some they gain and for some they lose.
For those who want to gain, we would recommend making 24 hour yogurt from whipping cream or 1/2 and 1/2. This can be used by itself, in ice cream, or even in soups/sauces (although if you cook it you kill the good bacteria).
Also, avocado, fish with high oils, like wild caught salmon, high fat beef like rib eye (if you can take it).

I am right now making a bone broth (from chicken bones and veggies), that has been cooking for the last 48 hours. The natural gelatin is super healing. For you, I would strain it but leave the fat. Or you could use this as a stock and make a soup from the foods you can tolerate. Cook everything very well and then use an immersion blender. Top with a dollop of 24 hour 1/2 and 1/2 yogurt. Tastes great, high calorie and super healing

Bottom line, is increase fats and protein and decrease carbs.

Dave
Posted 12/13/2011 12:41 AM (GMT -5)
Hey mate.. Don't see many people talk about this. But back a few years I went on a product called 'Modulen'. It is a food supplement drink. You drink only that for around 6 weeks and no food. You can have boiled lollies, soft drink, water, and chewing gum if getting sick of the flavour. I have done it twice now and have pretty much been in remission for round 4 years now. I know it seems hard but its not. I would do it again. Some people complain about the taste, but I actually really liked it. You can mix it with flavorings like coffee. So its not all bad. I prefer it plain how it is now.. love the stuff. I also gained 10 kilograms in the 6 weeks the first time i went on it and 8 kilograms the second time I went on it. I was very underweight so this was awesome. It does make your stools kind of unpleasant, but usually unpleasant anyway so whatever to that. I feel pretty good now. Talk to your doctor about it. I highly recommend it. The worst part of the whole ordeal is going back onto food. Also it was cheep when I was young cause had health benefits, was like $40 for 6 weeks( cant remember exactly). Now I am an adult gonna cost like $2,000 for the 6 weeks. So ya talk to your doctor about it.. It worked wonders for me. I am seriously considering paying the money to do it again. totally cleans out your system and lets your intestines chillax for a while. so ya give it a go :)
Posted 12/13/2011 10:29 PM (GMT -5)
I know the feeling. I've dropped 85 pounds since February. Buying clothes all the time aint cheap and shopping for them just makes you more fatigued.

  When I'm tired of eating I drink 'Ensure Enlive!' You have to order it at the pharmacy. It comes in a huge box. They are juice boxes that are I think 8 ounces and they come in mixed berry & apple flavor. They have a weird filmy after taste but they are much better than the creamy Ensure. They are egg, lactose, and fat free too! Their are 200 calories in each juice box. You might want to give them a try. On my really bad days I drink four of them and then try to eat something bland like steamed rice or grilled fish. Sprite makes my stomach disteneded and aggravates the Crohn's in my esophagus/stomach. If it works for you though drink it! If you tolerate ice cream you can mix the creamy ensure (chocolate, almond, vanilla etc) with ice cream of your shoice and throw in some strawberries, candy or whatever you like in you rmilkshakes and that gives you a lot of calories, fat, and calcium! It may not be the healthiest thing but it's better than nothing.

  

 A lot of the GI's I've been to tell me to eat small, high calorie, high protein snacks/meals throughout the day. I have no appetite though and my body doesn't absorb things perfectly so I just try to make sure when I do eat I get all the bases covered like meats, vegetables, fruits, etc. I'm on a few appetite stimulants that help too. Ask your GI about it!

Posted 12/14/2011 6:19 PM (GMT -5)
PB and Ice Cream
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