I was 103 this morning. I think I was last that at age 12. It's freaking me out. I don't fee strong and I feel like no matter what I do I keep losing. This has to be a bad thing and can't possibly be helping my recovery.
I gave up all refined sugar. (I've been very strict though last week I did have a scone with icing and man it was yummy.)And for a while I cut gluten, but I was dropping weight so fast that I added some back in limited amounts. So I do occassionally have a slice of bread or a little pasta. I have no GI issues, FYI. And, when I did cut gluten I didn't see any difference at all.
So, my question is, any tricks for gaining?? I've been trying to make sure I eat three good sized meals, I use olive oil liberally, eat lots of nuts, etc. Still, the most I can do is hold steady at a whopping 104. If I miss one meal or eat a meal of greens I start to drop immeduately. My husband is absolutely freaked about this.
Thoughts??? Could it be the meds?
Tx.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i wish i had your problem. i'd give you 90 pounds of mine.
try ensure to drink. it might help.
Posted by chastain (Member # 34236) on :
Jessie-I am in a really big battle to gain weight myself. I am 85 pounds at the moment, down from 115. I literally cannot eat more than a few bites of food at a time and when I do, I often vomit much of it up. You are so LUCKY to not have GI issues. I have to say I second the mention of Ensure. It is the only thing keeping me from a feeding tube or being six feet under right now, I am convinced. Jess.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Protein: if animal or eggs, from animals not fed chemicals and not factory housed. If from GMO sources, this could lead to all kinds of problems in people being able to actually USE the food.
PROTEIN is what helps your muscles to get stronger - and that adds the good weight.
You don't want to add weight from fat (although a certain level of fat in the diet is vital).
Carbs: complex. LOTS of colorful veggies.
This time of year, the squashes and root veggies abound. Enjoy along with all the dark greens.
Fruits of the lowest sugar such as dark berries. If you have candida, only along with / after a meal. Not alone.
Fats: extra virgin olive oil; unrefined: coconut oil, walnut, other nuts oils. Add in some new ones such as avocado oil, too.
Eat small meals often. This may help.
PROTEIN POWDER: HEMP is the best. No additives in most brands. Just be sure nothing is added. -
[ 10-25-2012, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROTEIN & AMINO ACID DURING ACUTE & CHRONIC INFECTIONS
Indian J Med Res 124, August 2006, pp 129-148
- by Anura V. Kurpad
Fifteen pages of text.
Excerpt from abstract on page one:
. . . In general, the amount of extra protein that would appear to be needed is of the order of 20-25 per cent of the recommended intake, for most infections. . . . -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Food additives can really mess with weight (in both directions). Certain foods, too, such as wheat and dairy can cause trouble.
GMO foods that destroy the GI Tract; Gluten; Dairy.
The film about GMO foods can explain so much about the gut trouble we see now.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You ask: "could it be the meds?"
What does your LLMD say about this?
You say that you cut out gluten but dropped more weight so added that back in. Gluten can have many affects, not all in the stomach.
There is no need to go without - when going gluten free. So many better choices, anyway. Today's wheat can be so toxic. Consider instead:
BLACK, RED, WILD RICES
MILLET
AMARANTH
WHOLE BUCKWHEAT GROATS
QUINOA - RED, BLACK, "regular" neutral color. (Although some think it's got a bit of gluten reaction to it so do research on that matter).
As for not feeling better when you stopped gluten, for those with complex illness such as lyme & co, that may be the case. Still, IMO, it's important to give it a few months at least.
Even then, due to illness, there may not be the improvement desired but it may still be vital.
Get a genetic test for CELIAC. -
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
Try Vega Protein Drink - Sport and Meal version. It is Vegan, dairy free, gluten free, sugar free etc...100% plant based - no crap in it.
It has a nice amount of calories and clean protein in it. I make it with Rice Milk and 1/4 bannana. I drink it sometimes 2-3 times a day.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
See the post - Caution: Aspartate; Glutamine; and Phenylalanine -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- PARASITES should also be considered. Search posts by Gael, glm111
I assume your doctor has checked thyroid function. -
Posted by prayerworks (Member # 37602) on :
I too have lost so much weight and it seems I continue to gradually lose. I went from 160 to 135 in nine months.
I was thinking what would be a good protein powder I could mix into my morning juice. I am losing muscle mass. Any suggestions?
Why do we lose muscle mass and weight with lyme anyway.
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
I am down to 103 also-I mix Kefir with a few frozen blueberries (I know-sugar, but really-at this point food is more important), whey protein powder and a little coconut milk.
Adds some calories, and helps my stomach
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- prayerworks: Whey can be very helpful in many ways.
For a but of fiber, though, HEMP PROTEIN POWDER will be a heartier "first breakfast" but you will also need real food soon after that. It's good for a mid-morning or afternoon snack on it's own, though.
Fruits destroy the whey benefits -
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
This can be really scary. At one point I was eating 4,000 calories a day dropping a pound a day. Now that I am better I am up to 106 and holding, eating a much more normal quantity of food.
Avocados are your new best friend along with almonds or macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts have the highest calorie and fat content of any nut.
In between meals I would drink protein shakes with almond milk or whole milk, usually 2 a day. Spiru-tein is the brand I would use. It has many nutrients in it, lot's of protein and is sugar free in the vanilla flavor. I would add ice, stevia, a small amount of banana.
When you have an upswing your weight should stabilize.
Take good care of your adrenals. Weight loss and adrenal fatigue go hand in hand.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
In addition to above, might need Digestive Enzymes. If you have poor digestion, then much of what you eat isn't being absorbed, which can lead to weight loss.
Also, gluten-free is a good thing, and there are lots of other carb. options out there - rice, corn, amaranth, millet, gluten-free oats, sorgham, veggies, low-sugar fruits, etc.
Just make sure to get certified non-GMO (GMO = Genetically Modified Organism) and/or organic as much as possible, because GMO stuff can really mess with people's bodies - and studies show GMO's can cause cancer, amongst other things...
Snack on proteins (nuts/seeds, beans and/or meats) every 2 hours between meals to stabilize blood sugar level to prevent catabolism.
The good proteins and fats in nuts/seeds can help one to gain healthy weight. Or make your own granola with gluten-free oats, dried berries, nuts/seeds, and maybe a little xylitol or stevia.
Avocados are also excellent - rich in Vitamin E, and also healthy fats. Mix with a little fresh-squeezed lemon juice and a sprinkle of your favorite herbs/seasonings, then use as a dip with bean chips or fresh raw veggies.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Without a doubt I would make treating parasites your number one priority.
I dropped 15lbs last year, which put me under 100. Nothing I did would put weight back on. Only until I started treating parasites 5+ months ago, now I'm finally gaining (up to 107). I'm still passing parasites daily, to my utter amazement.
I had no clue I parasite issue. No GI complaints whatsoever. Never even a complained of a stomach ache.
I think we all have parasite issues, imo.
Best to you.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
I'm with Tammy, I think parasites are the reason for the weight loss. My body isn't absorbing nutrients very well (tests), so that screams parasites to me as well.
Razzle's right about the digestive enzymes, they really help. And gluten free is a must for autoimmune.
I have periods the last four years of rapid gains and rapid weight loss. For me I suspect it the old menopause sx?
Maybe I don't need to revisit parasites again? Then again I know it could be weight gain because something I'm carrying is in control these days vs the parasites.
I'll ship the weight free of charge to you.
Pam
Posted by lyme-o (Member # 35115) on :
Watch the bananas and corn. Hubby's LLMD says absolutely none. Sugar high content in them. Tammy, can you PM me with parasite treatment please. thanks
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