My thyroid function is really low so I have to eat next to nothing to lose and maintain a weight I'm happy with.
I just got tired of feeling hungry all the time and decided a few weeks ago I would eat what a normal person eats. Of course I've gained a few pounds and am frustrated.. And guess what? I'm still hungry! lol
Now I'm thinking maybe I'll start eating less again. I mean I'm always hungry anyway so why not actually have a reason for it? sigh
Anyone have any ideas or input? Anyone relate?
Posts: 59 | From U.S. | Registered: Oct 2007
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Hey Minnie! Guess what, I was just sitting here debating whether or not to post this EXACT topic!!
You can imagine how suprised I was when I saw your post.
Anyway, Im starved all the time, I literally could eat all day long. I was just looking thru some old posts on juicing. I figured maybe the liquid would help fill me up.
I think for me , i need to start increasing my calories. Im basically eating very little carbs, and this hunger is driving me crazy.
The thing with me is I gain very little weight.
This hunger was one of my very first symptoms.
For breakfast I was eating 4 yougurts, 2 carnation breakfasts, 2 bowls of oatmeal, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I was starved!! Lunch was even bigger!!
Before this all started i could barely finish my food and always the last to finish, now im the first to finish and ready to eat more.
I mention this to the Dr that I see and they dont say anything.
Im starved right now too!!
I wish we could get some answers to this.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
One possibility is low cortisol levels.
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
me too! i'm a diabetes 2 patient; overweight, but at night time when i'm on here ... eat my whole bowl of air-popcorn with 2T. of butter, a slicked orange, and perhaps some nuts from a can!
we were watching public tv tonight about SLEEP, and they kept empahsizing for those of us with NO DELTA SLEEP, we
. eat more; . insulin isn't going to right places causing diabetes 2, and there was 1 more point that i have forgotten!
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posted
Is it possible that your body isn't utilizing the nutrients in the food you're eating?
Could be why it's demanding MORE.
When was the last time you had a vitamin/mineral panel run?
It could be malabsorbtion in some form or other, or it could be like bejoy said, low cortisol levels.
Check the side effects of any meds you're taking.
Is increased appetite the side effect of any of those?
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Hi Minnie Mouse,
Lyme bacteria can infect the part of the brain that controls our hunger (satiety) center...some infected people develop anorexia , while others develop an inability to feel full...even after eating a meal. It's called "failure of satiety" or "absent satiety"...never feeling full after eating.
Remember, Lyme symptoms are frequently temporary and intermittent...the symptoms come & go. You may have this symptom one week, then the next week or the next day it's gone. Some have a symptom constantly.
---------------------------------------------
Here's the reference from an article by Dr. VTS:
"Bell's Palsy of the Gut" and Other GI Manifestations of Lyme and Associated Diseases
In cerebral hypothalamic and pituitary centers, usual sites of borrelial disruptions of the brain's normal hormonal cascades, there are strong influences on human attitudes, ideation, and behavior relating to gastronomic issues.
(broken up paragraph for easier reading)
Newly discovered Lymeendangered cerebral hormones and renegade cytokines regulate brain-gut interactions thus initiating behavioral tendencies such as anorexia or a failure of satiety with resultant obesity.
from 5th section:
LYME-ASSOCIATED MOTILITY VARIATIONS AND OTHER BB RELATED GUT PROBLEMS
A suddenly spastic or immobile esophagus or similar paralysis of the stomach muscles may represent esophageal and/or gastric paresis or spasm from Lyme neuropathies (5). Infection influencing the vagus nerves has been documented to cause paralysis in other diseases (8).
(broken paragraph for easier reading)
Additional Bb-related symptoms may manifest as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), early or absent satiety, GI bloating, nausea, vomiting, and atypical colitis wherein the pANCA test may be helpful. If Crohn's and colitis are considerations, a Prometheus first step may help to support this diagnosis; however tissue biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. (Personal communication from Martin D. Fried, MD, FAAP, Colt's Neck, NJ)
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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After a year of doing pretty well, I had a relapse, and decided to start taking abx again (I have been using alternative protocols in the last year).
I've noticed that I feel hungry all the time in the past couple of days, with what feels like hunger pains in my stomach. I'm debating on whether or not it's because of Lyme or Bart, or because the abx are affecting my stomach. I'm leaning toward the abx.
Could also be candida because I've been craving carbs.
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Count me in! I'm starving all the time. And I do have low corisol levels. My llmd was all ready to put me on thyroid support last week until we got into the discussion of whether or not I had gone through menopause. So, long story short, I have to stop the progestin I'm on and see what happens - then he will probably give me something.
I also found that I was craving salt - which he tells me is normal for lymies. We tend to have low sodium levels as well.
I don't particularly care for the weight gain, but I gotta eat!!!
-------------------- "Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love". Mother Theresa
posted
The low sodium levels and salt cravings go hand-in-hand with adrenal fatigue/low cortisol.
Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenals which regulates sodium/potassium balance in the body.
When this is low, you get the salt cravings.
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
If you eat alot of sugars....or even a few sugars...they will make you want to eat more.
Also if you eat alot of man-made food and not organic, they have chemicals in them that make you crave more.
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posted
Not sure what meds you are taking. In the fall I was on Zoloft for Lyme anxiety - that in combination with Doxy made me terribly hungry all the time. Starving.
I'm off Zoloft now and just on Doxy and I'm not so hungry anymore. So I guess the Zoloft was the culprit.
You might look into the South Beach diet as far as good foods to eat that fill you up without all the carbs?
I'm trying to lose the Zoloft weight - I do fill up on lots of salads, grilled vegetables, cottage cheese, all of which are pretty low calorie. I made a lot of sugar free jello, too.
It's not easy feeling hungry all the time and you do have to eat, just find some low calorie foods that are good for you!
~webmeg
Posts: 257 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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I can't remember everything you all said, but a few that stick in my mind are low sodium, cortisol, and others. I have all the above... I will definately be coming back to this post for help with this and trying to change it. I think the sugar thing is true as well.. I'm going to have to cut it out! Sugar free jello? I have to check into that.
One thing that seems to help is fasting until early afternoon.
I know they say that it's best not to fast in the morning, I studied fitness in college thats what they taught us.. However once I start eating it's just harder. If I don't eat I seem to be able to control the hunger better.
Trust me, I get more than enough calories, at least for the past two weeks or more.. I'm about to radically change my eating patterns.
Something that helps me is drinking fresh coconut water from the young coconut(not the one in the brown shell). IT's so healthy and anti viral/bacterial.. just good stuff.
It seems to help curb my appetite a little, though I have to drink several a day for this to really help cut calories out. ANd they are really expensive.
Posts: 59 | From U.S. | Registered: Oct 2007
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
didnt read all the posts but wanted to let you know that the "cyclines" of antibiotics ca make you hungry.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Last I had cortisol checked mine was high in AM and PM.
The only reason I even eat carbs is because they are the only thing that fill me. I never eat sugar.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Check this out since I had the colon trouble 1 and 1/2 weeks ago I started eating wheaties or cherios no sugar added or shredded wheat 1 or 2 times aday I gained 6 lbs hahaha carbs arent they great hahahahaha
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Are you actually hungry and needing food, or is it your stomach growling? Two different things really. I have had all kinds of problems with excess stomach acid (officially GERD, but I have no heartburn), which makes my stomach growl ALL the time. Even when it is full of food. It makes me feel like I am hungry and want to eat, but it is from mucosal irritation in the stomach from so much acid. I find apple cider vinegar or pickle juice helps a lot, as well as a digestive enzyme supplement.
Good luck!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by KauaiGoddess: I recently got the relentless hunger back too...
I called my LLMD and he said it was Babesia...
Wow...I was nearly anorexic while battling babesia. It's even listed in the symptoms list. No appetite to speak of.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
Eat something that does not convert into sugar such as meat and protein. These also digest slower which should help with the hunger.
D Bergy
Posts: 2919 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
I eat chicken and veggies and I am starved still.
I can easily eat two whole chicken breasts, I even ate a pack of 24 wings. Plus a romaine salad, beans, peas, zucchini, spinach.
Tonight I ate a Van's waffle because Im tired of going to bed hungry, it filled me, then 15 min later starved again.
I dont get the stomach rumbling sound, i just feel starved.
Minnie are your symptoms like this too?
My LLMD says I have classic babesia symptoms, I will ask about this hunger again. I seem to have many of the rare symptoms. You know the ones that only affect 25% or less of the population.
I remember one LLMD saying they were feeding off of me :-(
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I was just reading a magazine article in the gyn office yesterday. Sometimes fat cells are produced by the body to protect our organs.
Wonder why the organs would call for protection with tick borne illnesses? I gained 30 pounds within 3 months of first becoming ill. Nine years ago.
I thought it was the abx that I was taking? Maybe my body/organs were trying to protect themselves. Most of all that weight was in my torso area?????
I've lost 20 of 30 in the last 5 years, slowly but surely, with no diet plan. Just treatment with alternative/traditional meds & protocols.
The last 10 will go only with exercise, maybe? I don't know when that day will be? Exercising, just walking or rebounding causes a whole another issue with me.
Pam Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
quote: Lyme bacteria can infect the part of the brain that controls our hunger (satiety) center...some infected people develop anorexia , while others develop an inability to feel full...even after eating a meal. It's called "failure of satiety" or "absent satiety"...never feeling full after eating.
This was quoted above, but now i can't remember who said it.
My daughter has had this off and on for the past couple of years. Sometimes she would eat so much she would have to throw it up. She would eat good food, too, not junk.
I finally bought something filling like Carnation Instant Breakfast. That seemed to help. She could sip it until her brain settled down and finally flipped the switch until it said "full"
It is most likely a neuro symptom
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Minnie Mouse: I am always hungry... Always!
My thyroid function is really low so I have to eat next to nothing to lose and maintain a weight I'm happy with.
I just got tired of feeling hungry all the time and decided a few weeks ago I would eat what a normal person eats. Of course I've gained a few pounds and am frustrated.. And guess what? I'm still hungry! lol
Now I'm thinking maybe I'll start eating less again. I mean I'm always hungry anyway so why not actually have a reason for it? sigh
Anyone have any ideas or input? Anyone relate?
Posts: 4 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2018
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posted
I have the same problem and I brought it up to my Lyne Disease support group in Virginia and all the people in the group agreed with me. I never feel satisfied ):
Posts: 4 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2018
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posted
Oh man I just started having this too and am attributing it on herxing because the timing is too coincidental.
I don't have a horrible diet, well better than it was years ago...hey we aren't perfect. No matter how big or small, healthy or not I eat almost instantly I am hungry again, it gets to the point where my stomach will growl so bad and I get dizzy.
Yea..no fun!
Posts: 597 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Mar 2019
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posted
Count me in, please. However, the better I get, the more control I have over hunger.
Posts: 552 | From New Mexico, USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Glad to see this thread. Yep. Hungry all the time. Even after a full meal. Gained weight super easy until I went on Thyroid. Found the right doc to give it to me, based on symptoms, even though blood test was normal.
Thyroid helped my weight gain problem, but not my constant hunger. Still have it. I really think the permanent imbalance of gut flora all the ABX caused over many years caused the problem.
I’ve never been able to get that gut balance back, no matter how many different probiotics I’ve taken. And I’ve found that Acidophilus just makes me hungrier and gain weight easier.
So I don't know what the answer is.
Posts: 15 | From Southwest | Registered: Aug 2020
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posted
It's possible this has to do with two hormones, leptin and ghrelin.
Ghrelin is a fast-acting hormone made in the stomach/gut. It travels to the brain to tell us to eat. It was responsible for maintaining fat stores for survival.
Leptin is made by fat cells and the small intestine. It regulates energy and hunger. It targets the hypothalamus in the brain and tells it there's enough food and to stop eating.
I think the problem is leptin resistance, according to the many health summits I've watched. When the brain doesn't get the signal from the leptin to stop eating, the brain thinks we're still hungry.
What stops the leptin signal? Inflammation of the hypothalamus. What does Lyme do? Inflame the hypothalamus! I'm just trying to lay out what I think is the problem for us.
What I've heard we need to do is eat more soluble fiber and protein and eat less carbs and processed foods. Also get exercise and sleep.
I encourage anyone here to do some more research online on these two hormones and report back.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
A patient of gastric bypass surgery told me there's an immediate change with the removal of stomach tissue containing ghrelin. She eats however much she wants now without any weight problems.
I just saw this on the internet:
8 Ways to Keep Your Leptin Levels Regulated
Get enough fibre. ... Limit fructose consumption. ... Consume complex carbohydrates. ... Eat protein for breakfast. ... Take omega-3. ... Avoid severe calorie restriction. ... Perform H.I.I.T (high intensity interval training) ... Get more sleep.
Posts: 552 | From New Mexico, USA | Registered: May 2007
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
For me it happened more during herxes.
I think it had to do with being toxic, it was like the anxiety made me eat more. And intuitively, I wanted to eat fats, possibly to bind toxins (as practically all toxins are fat soluble).
After lyme, I had no more such problem...
I remember people talking about eggs, that they felt like eating many eggs a day.
It was my case: either eggs or butter or anything fat.
Now I follow the Medical Medium, so no eggs, very low fat, no more milk products (so no butter).
It's fine, it takes time to get used to it, but my liver thanks me!!
I think lyme messed my liver badly - toxins, pathogens, and all these fatty foods were not good at all. It left me feeling my right chest had a stone inside, I always felt heavy for years after lyme was gone.
Well, since about 2-3 years, I changed my diet and now I eat tons of fruits, so a lot of fructose, and my diet is basically carbs (potatoes, millet, rice), leafy greens, veggies and tons of fruits.
I absolutely have no problem of hunger attacks like during lyme.
That's why I do think, in my case, those hunger bouts had to do with herxes / toxins.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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