posted
The last month and a half, although I have eaten three square meals a day, I have lost a substantial amount of weight and muscle. Back in early January I weighed 180 pounds. I currently weigh 165 pounds, have less muscle, and am substantially weaker. I know that I am weaker because lifting things that used to be simple to lift now require exertion.
I know that weight and muscle loss is a Lyme symptom. I'm asking you Lyme experts why Borrelia and co-infections cause weight and muscle loss. Does anyone know how this process works physiologically?
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
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Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Ian I don't have a medical answer for you. However, I have often wondered if sometimes the muscle tissue almost catabolizes to a degree, the same thing you sometimes see with HIV cases.
I've often wondered if our bodies use things from our muscle tissue to feed the dysregulation of the immune system. I often wonder if this is why certain lyme patients seem to constantly need to replenish certain things like magnesium or glutathione. It's like it becomes a vicious cycle.
For what it's worth, I have been supplementing everyday for a month with whey protein and it has helped my all-over muscle aches and pain. I haven't noticed a difference in my weight but I've always been thin...ugh...not a good thing with lyme....
Have you tried adding whey protein to your daily routine?
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Great idea Bugg! I actually have about half a container of whey protein left. I'll start taking one cup a day and see how I react. Thanks for the suggestion!
I've always been fairly thin too. It's severely damaging to my ego to lose what little muscle I had... hahaha
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
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It talks about infection/increased protein requirements in chronic & acute infections/catabolism, etc.
Ingesting protein at regular intervals (every 3 hours) may be beneficial to provide a constant stream of aminos from diet, so that your body doesn't have to cannibalize your muscle to get them.
Posts: 57 | From western Virginia | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
i have the same prob. It's tough balancing avoiding sugary, high carb foods and losing weight, so at a certain point i just say duck it, and i start shoving down the peanut butter, or potatoes, or cottage cheese, or whatever has lots of calories.
What's the point of being on a strict diet that supposed to help you, when you get thinner and weaker?
Posts: 19 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: Feb 2010
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sutherngrl
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Member # 16270
posted
This is exactly my issue. I am down to about 102 pounds now. I try to eat healthy, but need the calories from carbs.....don't eat too much pure sugar though.
I feel like I am wasting away. Its very scary!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Wow! Looks like it is extremely common. It looks like I have stabilized at 167 pounds right now. Still, I'm 6 foot 3 inches, and I usually weigh 180. I'll try to get more protein. Thanks for that article vallapalla!
-------------------- Bart and Babesia seropositive Current tx: Rifampin, Biaxin, Bactrim DS, Artemisinin, Resveratrol (japanese knotweed), Red Root, Boneset Posts: 168 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
I have this big time, I seriously look anorexic and am trying to avoid the looks I get from people at work...5'8" and 115 lbs...geez...I weighed that when I was a freshman in high school.
I have just started taking whey protein in the morning. Hoping it helps.
Posts: 594 | From NJ/NY | Registered: Jun 2006
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I am having the same issue. I have lost 12-15lbs over the past 4 months even though I eat like crazy. Also, I have lost a lot of muscle tone and strength.
You said "I know that I am weaker because lifting things that used to be simple to lift now require exertion."
That's me!
I am in the beginning stages of fighting this disease and am working with my LLMD to figure out the best course of action.
Posts: 45 | From AL | Registered: Feb 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Same issue here. It's frustrating.
It's a malabsorption issue imo.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
I'm in the same boat...100 pounds and I'm 5'7. It's kind of scary. I'm down to no muscle and no fat (aside from a tiny bit in my thighs), just bone. I think my BMI last time I checked on an online calculator was something way low, like 15 or 16 or something.
Sutherngirl, you sound like you're in the same boat that I'm in. I'm so sorry. How tall are you?
I hope you all start bulking up soon I know it's so frustrating and seems pointless, but keep eating eating eating...even when you feel like you can't eat anymore!
Posts: 710 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Could the abx being affecting the gut and therefore absorption?
Posts: 200 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
f13,
Absolutely. It's always a gut issue.
Adrenal Fatigue can affect the gut and absorption. Lyme can affect it. Heavy Metals can affect it. Candida can affect it.
Pro biotics are muy importante. Your intestinal flora is what digests proteins. When we get sick and the gut is the first to go... we stop digesting foods properly.
Well amino acids/proteins are the building blocks for muscles. Once we stop digesting proteins properly we will lose muscle mass.
I've probably lost 8 lbs just being on the candida/lyme inflammation diet alone. I've lost 10 lbs of muscle mass.
I think through treatment and time and exercise and protein intake and gut support and sleep... I will eventually gain muscle back.
It's going to take hard work and dedication.
The hardest part is I want to go to the gym and lift heavy weights like I used to!! But I know that will cost me Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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I take tons of probiotics-its very important-I think its just gonna take time unfortunately.
Posts: 594 | From NJ/NY | Registered: Jun 2006
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Yes patience is the key! Its hard not to want it all to happen now.
Littlelymie, you ARE thin. I am 5'4", and have lost about 25 pounds and don't want to loose anymore. My fear is getting below 100! I have been fighting that for months; and have maintained around 102 to 104. I actually look sick now!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Have you considered food allergies? I lost a significant amount of weight myself. Food allergies were part of my problem, but really, the right antibiotic combination helped so much so that even my blood-proven food allergies disappeared. Lyme and bart were both suspects.
Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
I am still undiagnosed. Couple positive markers on my western blot. Taking Doxycycline, insurance won't cover more then 3 days supply of Azithromycin so I take that when I can get it. Had the issue of losing weight for almost 3 months. Have been on a restricted diet testing for food sensitivities and such for almost 2 months now. Dropped about 25 pounds or so at the worst point. Feels lately and for a while now that I think about it and analyze things from a new perspetive that my body is burning up massive calories and or muscle tissue. I can eat a ton and I seem to feel the best after alot of protein is eaten over the course of a day or two period. I managed to get back 7-8 pounds recently after just eating and eating alot of avocados and nuts and such. Doing some colonics now to try to help detox my system I know my circulation is poor and adrenals/lymph system seem to be really sluggish or overworked. Tested negative for Bart Hensalae but have not tested for Ehrlichia or Babesia as of yet. God bless you all. I am in Phoenix if anyone needs a ride to a doctor or other support let me know. Email is [email protected].
Posts: 21 | From Phoenix, Arizona | Registered: Feb 2010
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