Big 3 and weight loss

Posted by erawl @erawl, Jan 5, 2019

I have bronchiectasis and NTM. I also have GERD. I have been on the "big 3" for six months. I have no appetite and am losing weight. Anybody else have this problem, and if so what are you doing about it? Is it caused by the antibiotics?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

@sueinmn

At first, after diagnosis of bronch, but before the big3, I was so sick that eating was nearly impossible. Now after losing 15 lb and 5 months on meds, I am healthier, but weight is still dropping a pound or more each month. I can do dairy, so my coffee is now 2/3 whole milk and 1/3 coffee. Smoothies with added protein and coconut cream are on the menu too. And I'm eating as much full-fat yogurt as I can stomach, but getting mighty sick of it. I don't tolerate wheat or nuts, so have to search hard for a snack/protein bar that is safe and palatable. Can't wait to be done with this! Also with probiotics and ginger tea my stomach feels better, just no appetite. Today I was pleased to manage a whole burger with fixings but no bun. Everything else, my husband wants to eat exactly as I do, and he cannot handle more weight.

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@sueinmn I use heavy whipping cream in my 2 cups of morning coffee. That may boost your calories also. Can add mayonaise and cheese to mashed potatoes. I had lost 24 lbs rapidly, so I was sneaking in calories wherever I could. Post treatment (on antibiotics since 2013 to present) I have gained 13 lbs back and could pack more on (but I don't want to). I am 5'-4" and weigh 130 lbs. This feels ideal to me. Once the infections from mac & pseudomonas were knocked out, my appetite and weight came back. Hang in there, you will get there!

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@sueinmn I'm a big fan of peanut butter. On everything. Sliced apples, toasted bread w honey. Mixed in w vanilla yogurt. Slathered on a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cookie. Also mayo and salad dressings. I have limited my dairy some due to it causing congestion for me, which included milk, cheese and cottage cheese. Its a challenge for sure. I'm not affected by nausea, but sometimes anxiety cuts my appetite. I just push thru and eat.

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Hello All:

While I don't have the Big 3 I can appreciate the problem of trying to deal with weight loss as I've had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract and have a hard time maintaining weight. I've enjoyed reading some of the suggestions in this discussion group and would like to add a few of my own.

I use a packet of breakfast drink and mix it in my morning coffee. It adds flavor, calories and lots of nutrition. I've also added a tablespoon of peanut butter to hot oatmeal. You certainly have to be careful of any ingredient that might cause more congestion or that might produce an allergic reaction, though.

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@hopeful33250 Hi Teresa! Please share what breakfast drink you are adding to your coffee, thank you!

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@margiebanks

@hopeful33250 Hi Teresa! Please share what breakfast drink you are adding to your coffee, thank you!

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@margiebanks

Sure, I add Carnation Instant Breakfast drink (the powered kind). I use one packet per cup of coffee. I always get chocolate but there is also vanilla. (Vanilla does not have as strong of a flavor as the chocolate.) With each packet you get 130 calories, 5 mg of protein and other nutrients. There are probably other powdered protein powders that you could use as well, but this one is easy to find at grocery stores, so I always get it. It was recommended by my doctor as a way to keep my weight up.

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@hopeful33250

@margiebanks

Sure, I add Carnation Instant Breakfast drink (the powered kind). I use one packet per cup of coffee. I always get chocolate but there is also vanilla. (Vanilla does not have as strong of a flavor as the chocolate.) With each packet you get 130 calories, 5 mg of protein and other nutrients. There are probably other powdered protein powders that you could use as well, but this one is easy to find at grocery stores, so I always get it. It was recommended by my doctor as a way to keep my weight up.

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@hopeful33250 Thanks! That's easy enough!

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@hopeful33250

@margiebanks

Sure, I add Carnation Instant Breakfast drink (the powered kind). I use one packet per cup of coffee. I always get chocolate but there is also vanilla. (Vanilla does not have as strong of a flavor as the chocolate.) With each packet you get 130 calories, 5 mg of protein and other nutrients. There are probably other powdered protein powders that you could use as well, but this one is easy to find at grocery stores, so I always get it. It was recommended by my doctor as a way to keep my weight up.

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Thank for the Instant Breakfast suggestion! Morning is the worst time for forcing myself to eat, but if I add that to my coffee/cream, it could work.

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@erawl Hi there. Please read through past posts on what others have done to combat weight loss. There are all kinds of ways to bump up calorie intake. My weight cameback on after I tested negative for all lung infection. Pseudomonas was the culprit of my weight loss. This is a common bug that we, with mac and bronchiectasis contract. Be sure to get regular sputem tests for that too.

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@sueinmn

Thank for the Instant Breakfast suggestion! Morning is the worst time for forcing myself to eat, but if I add that to my coffee/cream, it could work.

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@sueinmn I hope it does work for you! Atkins also makes a liquid beverage shake that I sometimes use in the morning. It is low in carbs and sugars but high in protein. If I'm not feeling hungry it is often easier to drink a meal rather than eat a meal.
Will you let me know how you are doing?

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@windwalker

@erawl Hi there. Please read through past posts on what others have done to combat weight loss. There are all kinds of ways to bump up calorie intake. My weight cameback on after I tested negative for all lung infection. Pseudomonas was the culprit of my weight loss. This is a common bug that we, with mac and bronchiectasis contract. Be sure to get regular sputem tests for that too.

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I have a question that perhaps you can help me with. I had a sputum test last fall and two of the three tests came back with positive results and my doctor (whom I like and respect a good deal) described the cultures as some kind of bacteria that acts as a colonizer and is not a mycobacterium that requires antibiotics. He asked me to return to twice daily respiratory therapy (which I’m doing) but I don’t really understand the difference between all the terms that get discussed on this forum. I guess what I’m asking do you think a wait and see approach with what I’m doing is best or do you think I should pursue further? Although I wouldn’t really know what to pursue. I am not actively sick -I’m working- but have a good deal of fatigue. Thx for listening to this ramble😜

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