Gaining weight; is that normal?

[Wesley]

This is going to probably sound weird but has anyone started to gain weight and eat more since finding out they have Chron's. All I read about is losing weight and fear to eat; yet my I seem to eat more at each meal and am putting on weight. Just curious if I am on my own little planet? Medication is Lialda; 4 pills each day and I take them with dinner (usually around 6:00). Thanks

Wesley

 

[debbien]

I have always been heavier. I gain and lose but stay within 20lbs always. I was disgnosed a year and a half ago and have always eaten normally. I have tried to lose weight but can't seem to, I have quit snacking etc and still won't lose anything.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I think it's fair to say the majority lose weight, but I am seeing more and more people saying the opposite, the minority seem to be growing!

Crohn's can be mild or nasty, so it may be that you're not one of the ones who have it so bad that you are scared to eat. Hope it stays that way for you Alot lose weight through malnutrition and poor absorption of vitamins/minerals; again seems not to be that way for you.

 

[tiloah]

*stands on soapbox*

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I think IBD patients only lose weight when their situation is bad enough that they don't want to eat.

If you are getting treatment and you feel like your symptoms are reducing, you might start eating more than you did before. I think it's a natural response to "stock pile" or feel like you deserve to eat while you feel good enough to do it. Not that that's what is happening with you.

I think it's an extremely common misconception that Crohn's makes you lose weight or that you shouldn't be able to gain weight. There are so many reasons that Crohn's makes you gain weight. We modify our diets to be things that are "easy" to digest, but they are also high in calories. We are often exhausted and find it difficult to exercise. We are frequently put on drugs that cause weight gain (PREDNISONE).

In short, no, you are not alone in gaining weight. In fact it seems to happen to a lot of us.

*steps down from soapbox*

 

[dawn27sp]

When I was first diganosed I lost about 35lbs and now 5 years later I have gained a good 50lbs of more back. I have had steriod thearpy and I and I also think that, that has to do with alot of how your body reacts to weight loss and gain.

 

[JudithC]

Soooo, I'm not alone. This forum is awesome, thank you all for confirming that weight gain can ALSO happen. Eating the easy foods is a problem, as well as the fact that the Pred makes me soooo hungry. And yes, I'm very tired so I've even given up going to the gym and am not getting much exercise. Good news is Pred finally helping with reducing discomfort and pain in tummy (3 weeks in). I should start weaning off by next week I hope. Have blood work this Friday and Dr. next week.