Bigger people with Crohn's?

[coachvee]

Hi all - I'm new here but would be interested to hear any thoughts on this.

I'm overweight but have Crohn's, and I have always thought on and off about this because one of the most common symptoms of Crohn's is of course weight loss. I read an interesting letter from someone probably similar to me, who said her employer actually doubted that she had Crohn's just because she wasn't extremely thin. (Thankfully I have a very understanding employer!)
Once I saw this I started to wonder how many people are like me!

I've had flareups of the disease and the symptoms I get are primarily abdominal pain, which is the symptom I originally went to the GP with before I was diagnosed - also a lot of tiredness.

These symptoms compound each other, and ironically I do think they have an effect on my weight, mainly because with being tired a lot I don't feel like exercising at all. If I'm really bad I can hardly do anything, if I'm normal I am at work full-time and that takes it out of me too. This combined with the fact that eating healthily makes it worse, means it's pretty difficult for me to make any effort at weight loss.

I was just curious as to whether anyone else who is here is in the same boat as me, and how do you deal with it if so?

 

[Kittee]

I know exactly how you feel. I can say however if your Crohns gets severe enough you will start shedding weight. At least I did in my case. In fact I could lose about 30 more lbs and I would be my "ideal" weight lol!

It is hard for the outside world to understand that we have a problem, thin or thick. They just see a "normal" looking person claiming to have "tummy aches." Some people just can't understand the difference between heartburn, stomach ache, cramps and CROHNS. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy but if they could just experience the hight of a flare for a few moments they would certainly view us differently.

I've had flareups of the disease and the symptoms I get are primarily abdominal pain, which is the symptom I originally went to the GP with before I was diagnosed - also a lot of tiredness.

That is how my symptoms started and I lived with that for about year before it got serious, and thats when I started losing weight. I just couldn't eat anything anymore and well, no food = weight loss. So my doctor claims that i had 45lbs of non-productive weight loss but I couldn't be happier with that part of the disease.

I'm currently wrapping up a Prednisone taper now which has promptly put 5-10 lbs back on me. *Grrr* so I can't wait to get off this stuff and drop those back down.

Anyways I am rambling.

Welcome to the board. *hugs*

 

[coachvee]

Thanks Kittee! It's good to know there are a few others who know how it is. I am very lucky that the people in my life (even my work colleagues) are understanding. I still feel that everybody must have that "Well if she is being sick/diarrhoea, why isn't she losing weight?" Well, I have no idea. WIsh I knew! -_-

The worst thing is that I had put on a lot of weight over the past 2yrs (tbh, I blame my boyfriend who is an ex chef... and I have been with him for 2yrs, bit too much of a coincidence =P) and I'm now at my heaviest, so I was really determined not to put on weight when I started taking Pred.
I did have a few lapses but for the most part was fine... so I have managed to maintain my weight (that is, my weight is stll too high but I haven't put on any more at least) but my appetite has been a bit mad. However that meant I was being alot more careful.
I only have about 4 days left but sadly the benefits are disappearing as well, the doctors hoped that the steroids might beat the Crohns into remission but no such luck.

Before I was diagnosed with Crohn's, I used to lose weight randomly and for no reason, even though I was eating pretty unhealthily. OF course I was very happy with this! Funny thing is that even though at my lowest weight, I was quite ill, I was still supposedly a "normal" weight - perhaps even slightly overweight! I think I am just weird. =P

Thanks for the welcome

 

[D Bergy]

I gained weight pretty easily until my stricture physically blocked food from going anywhere.

I think metabolism, type of food you eat, and physical exercise all play a role in weight. There also appears to be a bacterial link. Apparently the mix of bacteria in your gut plays a bigger role in weight gain than previously thought. Come to think of it, the type of bacteria in your intestinal tract seems to be one of the keys to this disease in general.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122001271.html

If you get a bad flare or stricture, the weight including muscle mass will be lost rather quickly.

Dan

 

[butt-eze]

I was a normal weight until all of this. I am very very overweight now. I'm sure people think that it's odd I'm overweight but I haven't had a flare since Summer 2006. Yet I continued to take steroids as maintenance for a lung condition.
I'm so frustrated with my weight that I would almost welcome a flare just to drop some weight! Dumb, I know.

Don't feel alone. I hate the slippery slope affect. Same thing here...too tired to exercise, etc.

 

[Tashy]

I am at least 100 lbs overweight. I've had Crohns for over 7 years now. I don't know why I don't loose the weight unless it's the PCOS plus genetics. My mom didn't believe I had Crohns at first but each time I have a flare up (like now) she starts to believe.

 

[butt-eze]

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. Sorry that we have to share this similarity though.

 

[coachvee]

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. Sorry that we have to share this similarity though.

My sentiments exactly!

Even though it's not a nice thing - it is good to know it's not just me with some weird problem of my own.

D Bergy you are certainly right. A large amount of it is genetics (but I know genetics has nothing to do with my love of Ben & Jerry's, so don't think I'm trying to pass the buck or anything ) however, that said, I know there are people who eat like I do who wouldn't gain the same weight!

It is aggravating how the problem is compounded by the actual crohn's symptoms and the need to avoid some of the only healthy foods I enjoy. Another annoying thing is that now I am stuck with a gym subscription with about 2yrs left on it. -_- Maybe I'll be able to go a few times before it expires...

 

[pennywanna]

Ahhhhh, do I feel better, I thought I was the only one who is overweight, most people think all crohn's patients should be skinny, skinny, well at one time 15 years ago whilst being diagnosed I lost 40 lbs and was down to 125. I was so sick and then after my surgery I felt good and I went over board on exercising and my GI said, you can exercise but dont go crazy, because if you go back into a major flare up, you could lose another 30-40lbs, and that is NOT good. Keep about 10% body fat on,,,, well, that was bad advice LOL,,, Now I have to get it off again. Prednisone on and off was hard. Havent been on Prednisone over 3 years. Your gene's and age, and height all are a contributing factor. Just exercise slowly or walk, or you'll end up with more problems besides crohn's. I am not a teen so I know when I need to get moving. Good luck.

Penny

 

[Kev]

Well, a love for Ben N Jerry's is one thing... but I think a lot of folks with weight issues have a number of things going on.. like an addictive personality... or even food as a substitution for something else.. or the way one is raised (like my folks always put too much food in front of us - perhaps compensating from coming from very poor folks YET at the same time drumming into our heads that wasting food was a sin - any of that sound familiar? Decline an offer of food from my folks, particularly my Dad, .. well, they just wouldn't take no for an answer)... AND genetics.. like, my younger brothers literally could eat me under the table, engage in the same level of activity, even less.. and not gain a pound. Course, they also both lost their hair and developed ulcers, so I think it all balances out. Anyway, a report just out (news service neglected to tell the source) says that if you want to lose weight, and keep it off, raise the protein in your diet, lower practically everything else.. and have protein with every meal. I noticed that my high protein diet isn't causing me to gain extra weight.

 

[BWS1982]

That protein thing is something I've been preaching for years, and many people just shrug it off. Doesn't matter if you want 40 lbs. of added muscle or not, it's good for you in maintaining one's figure.

 

[D Bergy]

I follow the same method of lots of protein and not much carbs. It works over time, especially with just a moderate amount of physical activity.

Dan

 

[coachvee]

I follow the same method of lots of protein and not much carbs. It works over time, especially with just a moderate amount of physical activity.

Dan

I would have to try that in phases - I think that's actually a big failing of mine - much of the food I love IS carbs (after all, I did mention I love bread in the food thread...)

I think it would be helped if I felt up to exercising - which I don't - very frustrating!

 

[BWS1982]

Well there's a lot of mechanics at work, it's mostly about calories in and calories out at the end of the day, but, protocol like ketosis (very low glycogen stores, where fat reserves are more readily used), blood sugar levels, metabolism, and whatnot factor into things to accelerate fat oxidation.

 

[FruitLoop]

I have Crohn's and I am overweight - need to lose around 20lbs.

When I flare I do lose weight very fast and can drop 7lbs a week easily - however the steroids make me eat 24/7 and I also eat high fat and high sugar foods to combat the chronic tiredness that comes with a flare up.

I am currently taking steroids and am constantly hungry.

 

[Kev]

Hi protein diet may alleviate the hunger.. Hi fat n hi sugar foods can make issues worsen. There may be other ways to combat fatigue w/o eating hi risk food items

 

[FruitLoop]

Hi protein diet may alleviate the hunger.. Hi fat n hi sugar foods can make issues worsen. There may be other ways to combat fatigue w/o eating hi risk food items

Tell me more ? !!

I am like the cookie monster whilst on pred - no matter what I eat I am hungry.

Ideally I want to lose weight whilst not being hungry and having loads of energy:tongue:

 

[Kev]

Well, FL... I'm on a very restrictive diet.. hi protein, low fat, low fibre, low residue, low lactose diet. I avoid all gassy foods, I avoid gassy veggies, the veggies that I do eat are cooked to a mush, I'm not allowed fresh fruits or veggies. The only exceptions are over-ripe bananas, some unsweetened juices, stuff like that. When talking protein, there are ways to get them from veggies... like I'd eat veggie style meat substitutes (just have to watch sodium content).. but since a lot of veggies are either off my list, or cooked to oblivion, I really don't know if it's possible to get enuff protein from non meat sources. In meats I eat skinless,boneless chicken (so much I'll probably grow feathers/lay eggs).I eat white meat.. thoroughly cooked, extra lean, usually using a drip tray, etc..
I also eat low fat fish... canned tuna. I'd love to eat more salmon, etc., but a lot of them are deep water, and have too hi a fat content. I try to keep my fat at about 1/3 less the recommended levels normal people eat, but if it rises to a slightly higher level at times, that's OK. Just don't do it too often. This diet has worked for me by itself at times, but then it stopped. Everyone is different, and I personally believe one's best bet is to monitor/record what one eats daily. It will help you discover your personal 'trigger' foods. The rest is just cautionary. I can't tell you they'll make your symptoms or hunger go away, but in the 'long' run it should keep to the minimum the stress food is putting on your GI tract..

 

[FruitLoop]

Thanks for that - I currently follow a low residue diet and like you any veg is cooked to mush.

I eat very little fruit as it's not worth the pain.

I will aim to increase my meat intake and lose the carbs - I am currently eating loads of carbs for the energy hit but I know that this is not good.

I do have elemental drinks but whilst on pred they do nothing at all to satisfy hunger so i may try elemental mixed with some chicken - not literally as I do not think chicken a la elemental is a recipe that's going to catch on:ylol2:

I am having a colonoscopy next week and the thought of 48 hours not eating is scary !!

I am drinking loads of water to curb the hunger somewhat and I have found that steak cuts the hunger.

 

[Guest]

i'm not overweight, but not skinny either. my body fat index is below normal, and my weight is low/normal for my height. however, i seem to yoyo with my weight, which goes hand in hand with how i feel physically & mentally. when the Crohns isnt exhausting me, and my joints dont ache too bad, i am much more active, eat healthier and feel slim. but when i feel ill, and get the blues, i dont eat healthy meals, and tend to sit or lie around more hours of the day, and put weight on very easily over those days.

 

[soupdragon69]

I am overweight too and have alot to loose but then I did 5mths of steroids last year and I guess that says alot. I dropped 3st weight prior to the steroids due to being on elemental for 6mths. But have brittle/unstable asthma so if not on steroids for my crohns end up on them for my chest!

Am managing better this year and have had a total of 10days of pred so far since January so am keeping my head down! The gastro team have told me it will come off me once well and my body sorts itself out. My gastro cons says I could also have more of a metabolic problem than just underactive thyroid so has mentioned sending me to another consultant once my crohns is in better shape.

Just wanted to say you are definately not alone coachvee..

 

[Digits]

I am only 5 foot nothing, and i weigh 195. so im really overweight.

when i was first dx'ed i lost a ton of weight, then i balloned up and stayed up, but most of my weight is in my stomach...seriously. for the past 5 years ive looked about 8 months pregnant. i have normal sized arms, legs, thighs, butt, etc...except my damned double chin, lol.

I have noticed though, that even when i change what i eat, i dont lose weight, and i never gain weight. ive been in the same weight range for almot 8 years now give or take a 3 pounds on either side of 195.

my diet consists of lots of carbs, red meat, sugary foods, white meat (just meat in general) the most veggies i get are from ketchup, and no fruits (sores in mouth, ouch!) even when i tried the drinks only, i wouldnt loose weight...its weird. my Doc hasnt had an answer for me either...