Gaunt Face

[SolisSpirit]

How many of you experienced a gaunt or face thinning before or after you were diagnosed? I've dealt with it slowly over the last year and a half and now it just doesn't get better. I've not found one thing to make it stop thinning my face. I've tried eating extra calories, more food (which is probably making it worse), and nothing seems to help me gain in my face. I have, however, gained 5 pounds, but nothing went to my face. So, I'd like to know, for those of you that did get it back, what you had to do and what meds or diets you were put on before you started seeing that weight go back into your face.

 

[theOcean]

I think you have to get your IBD under control first. I had my face become thin when I was sick last, but it was because I rapidly lost over 30 pounds. Humira and an immunosuppressant in combination worked for me.

Otherwise, the trick to gaining weight -- once your body starts absorbing nutrients properly again -- is just eating higher calorie. If you eat more food, your metabolism will just adapt. So just eat higher calorie when you do eat, and maybe substitute drinks with things which are higher calorie too. You can also try taking meal supplement drinks.

 

[SolisSpirit]

So, I'm a little confused. I thought people with IBD had weakened immune systems already. Is this not true? I can't imagine someone needing to take a immunosupressant if theirs was already weakened. I've noticed my immune system is actually right on. I hardly get sick and normally only get colds when I do. So, what would be the purpose of weakening the immune system? Also, I haven't really lost any weight, just in my face.

 

[theOcean]

No, what happens is your immune system is compromised because it's too busy creating inflammation. Taking an immunosuppressant prevents and treats inflammation. It doesn't completely suppress the immune system, but gets it to a point where it stops posing a danger to itself. Prednisone and biologics also have immunosuppressive qualities to them that help us.

When my illness was active, I got sick constantly because I was immunocompromised. Since being on biologics and immunosuppressants, I haven't gotten sick once -- from my Crohn's or otherwise.

The weight loss varies depending on how your IBD manifests. My case is very severe and I get basically every symptom when I'm sick, and I was also misdiagnosed at first and improperly treated for a long time as a result.

 

[Orchid]

Your immune system is indeed compromised in Crohn's Disease, many genes linked to it are associated with innate immune system failing to properly detect and clear bacteria from the GI tract. So the adaptive immune system steps in and does what it does best, reenacting the Vietnam War using your organs as the canvas.

 

[UnXmas]

I came into hospital a few weeks ago with a BMI of 10, so a gaunt face was kind of a given. It seems to be the first thing that fills out for me. At first I retained a lot of fluid on my face and ankles (so much that the hospital band put round my ankle the day before cut into my skin until it bled and had to be removed). That water retention disappeared again overnight (and the weight increase with it). Now my weights up a few kilos and the only place it's noticeable is on my face - everyone's saying how well I look because of it.

Steroids also made my face blow up - I know the "moon face" is a problem for many, but for me it made my face look much better and more normal because of the contrast to the gauntness.

I'm not sure why you'd have a gaunt face if you're not underweight generally, but I have heard that dehydration can cause it. The doctors thought I may be dehydrated when I was admitted, because I looked so gaunt, but I wasn't - it was just because I've lost weight from everywhere it's possible to loose weight from, inside and out. Do you drink enough, and do you have a lot of diarrhoea or vomiting?

 

[SolisSpirit]

I have the urge to go every day, not so much diarrhea since I've been gluten free. I go about 5-6 times a day. I get really dehydrated too. I have to drink powerade and water quite a bit to stay hydrated.

 

[theOcean]

Are you on any medication?

 

[SolisSpirit]

I'm actually undiagnosed. Had insurance problems and haven't had my scopes yet. I'm hoping when I go back to see my GI the 8th they'll work with me on making payments.