Can the hunger switch be turned off

DustyKat · Oct 22, 2010

Just wondering and curious about this in view of Roo's lack of appetite.

Since she has spent the last 4 years controlling when she eats is it possible that she has has in fact tuned that switch off. For what ever reason be it pain, self image, diarrhoea, short bowel syndrome and so on can overriding your bodies needs over a long period of time cause it to cease using that function. That need stops becoming automatic, unconscious and instead it then takes a conscious effort on that persons part to ensure that need is met. Could this go some way to explaining why she never feels hungry but now has to either depend on the clock or other symptoms, like fatigue, to remind her to eat.

Any thoughts?

Dusty.

rygon · Oct 22, 2010

Yes it can. I used to work 8-4 days .. eat at 7.30, 11, 12 then 5ish. Went onto shift and found it hard eating wise. Had to be there for 7 till 7 (day and nights) at 1st hunger pangs hurt, got used to them, now i dont notce them at all.

And thats when I didnt have crohns. Now I have it I seem to be eating less without noticing.

Although I guess the same is in reverse. If she gets used to eating at regular times her body will adjust. Dont push as it will make her feel miserable. Little and often is the key. Big meals make me feel awful (and i mean really bad, something like fish and chips will bloat me and i'll feel rough for a day if not 2).

Also if she is dehyrated she wont want to eat, make sure she has a drink near her most of the time

Again dont push her, if shes hungry/thirsty she will decide herself, try and change that then you will make her feel less independent and more likey to rebel

Rachel2 · Oct 22, 2010

Yes, I think it can be switched off. Before I started going down the diagnosis route, and before I started having the crazy symptoms, I had a really hearty appetite and ate loads of good, healthy fruit, veg, fish and meat. Since my last bout of pain and all the other great stuff we experience, I have had to force myself to eat at least something - but am not hungry at all.

Lucy · Oct 23, 2010

I only wish my hunger would go away. I stay hungry all the time. It's just crazy. I hope you get some good advice here.

kello82 · Oct 23, 2010

hey dusty, i actually learned something really interesting today about this. i know you know ive had similar issues as Roo with food.....not wanting to eat and losing weight and so on.
today i saw a naturopath (will not post about that here) and learned about what happens when our bodies are actually NOT PRODUCING the enzymes and tools it needs in order to effectively break down and absorb food. obviously, one effect is just that what you DO eat passes right thru. might get a bit mushed up and look like normal "waste" but really contains all the nutrients that it started with.
ALSO, and this is the thing that was huge in understanding for me.....is that your body can actually yes TURN OFF the "i want food" function. because it knows it doesnt have the tools to actually deal with the food, so therefore there is a resistance to actually eating.
that was huge for me because ive been so confused as to why i can feel PHYSICALLY hungry....my stomach is growling and i KNOW that sensation = need food. but at the same time, everything else, every other inch of my body says "nope, i dont want that. dont want food. im full." but physically starving....but the rest of me says im full. i mean what the hell??!?
thats exactly why. your body CAN have that internal conflict going on for purely physical reasons.....the physical message of empty stomach is one that probably never goes away....but when it is joined by the message that the body cannot handle food.....things must just go haywire. and for me, and im sure for many of crohn's people who have the same struggle with food....the resistance to eating takes over the physical feeling. it is stronger.

now as to why and how our bodies lose the enzymes and ability to effectively process food....im not really sure. im thinking though that with all the chaos of crohns and inflammation, it may be far more common for crohnies than is recognized. it usually just gets chalked up to "well you dont want to eat cause your stomach hurts". which has merit absolutely....but sometimes theres SOOOO much more to it.

whew. what an epiphany eh?

NFS_xtreme · Oct 23, 2010

this is happening to me.... i didnt kno all that. good info to kno

Lisa · Oct 23, 2010

Yep...liek others said - it CAN and does happen....one think I am notoriously bad about is drinking enough fluids.....what I started to do at work in the summer when I have to be outside for 8 or so hours is carry a water bottle with me at all times.....I've gone through 3-4 bottles in a day or more - when if I DIDN'T have the bottle physically on me I would maybe have had ONE!.....

Sometimes I sit here thinking I should go get something to eat, and just don't have the inspiration, will, gumption or whatever to actually go and make something.......so I go without.

Maybe an idea would be to have some handy snacks - no prep needed, so she doesn't have the thought of 'oh gee, I have to prepare it too'....just grab and go.....could be anything.....

Sue-2009 · Oct 23, 2010

When I flare...or just plain old sick..I have to clock my food. I actually get panicy(Sp?) about eating...The switch has to be kicked on...Totally get it....
Sue

Dras · Oct 24, 2010

kello82 said:
hey dusty, i actually learned something really interesting today about this. i know you know ive had similar issues as Roo with food.....not wanting to eat and losing weight and so on.
today i saw a naturopath (will not post about that here) and learned about what happens when our bodies are actually NOT PRODUCING the enzymes and tools it needs in order to effectively break down and absorb food. obviously, one effect is just that what you DO eat passes right thru. might get a bit mushed up and look like normal "waste" but really contains all the nutrients that it started with.
ALSO, and this is the thing that was huge in understanding for me.....is that your body can actually yes TURN OFF the "i want food" function. because it knows it doesnt have the tools to actually deal with the food, so therefore there is a resistance to actually eating.
that was huge for me because ive been so confused as to why i can feel PHYSICALLY hungry....my stomach is growling and i KNOW that sensation = need food. but at the same time, everything else, every other inch of my body says "nope, i dont want that. dont want food. im full." but physically starving....but the rest of me says im full. i mean what the hell??!?
thats exactly why. your body CAN have that internal conflict going on for purely physical reasons.....the physical message of empty stomach is one that probably never goes away....but when it is joined by the message that the body cannot handle food.....things must just go haywire. and for me, and im sure for many of crohn's people who have the same struggle with food....the resistance to eating takes over the physical feeling. it is stronger.

now as to why and how our bodies lose the enzymes and ability to effectively process food....im not really sure. im thinking though that with all the chaos of crohns and inflammation, it may be far more common for crohnies than is recognized. it usually just gets chalked up to "well you dont want to eat cause your stomach hurts". which has merit absolutely....but sometimes theres SOOOO much more to it.

whew. what an epiphany eh?

Yes!!!! That so completely makes sense. It happens to me too i'm sure of it!

DustyKat · Oct 28, 2010

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and experiences. Not that I want you to be going through this but it sure does lessen the load and worry knowing you guys are out there!

Hey Kelly, what the naturopath had to say is really interesting, thank you for posting that! I agree, there is so much more to it than that and like you said pain is a very good reason for it to occur but in some cases that is not the catalyst and it certainly isn't in Roo's.

Again thanks all, great food for thought!

bad choice of phrase!

Dusty.

Can the hunger switch be turned off

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