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How do you gain weight with Crohn's Disease?

Posted by macombs @macombs, Dec 18, 2020

I,m having difficulty gaining weight since I had 7 blockages due to Crohns Disease. I am 6' 1" and 165 pounds. I lost 20 pounds before the surgery. Does anyone have advice for gaining weight?

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macombs | @macombs | Jun 12, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @burningbelly, you'll notice that I moved your question about a Crohn's-friendly high-calorie, liquid meals to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @burningbelly, you'll notice that I moved your question about a Crohn's-friendly high-calorie, liquid meals to gain weight to this existing discussion:
- How do you gain weight with Crohn's Disease? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gaining-weight-1/

I did this so you can connect with other people like @macombs @bikerjack @thankful @guener @sandyjr @jcarndt who are talking about Crohn's and diet.

Burningbelly, I can understand your wanting to avoid the feeding tube. Did you have the esophagectomy related to cancer or a digestive condition?

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No my prob;em is Chrohns Disease

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burningbelly | @burningbelly | Jun 12, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @burningbelly, you'll notice that I moved your question about a Crohn's-friendly high-calorie, liquid meals to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @burningbelly, you'll notice that I moved your question about a Crohn's-friendly high-calorie, liquid meals to gain weight to this existing discussion:
- How do you gain weight with Crohn's Disease? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gaining-weight-1/

I did this so you can connect with other people like @macombs @bikerjack @thankful @guener @sandyjr @jcarndt who are talking about Crohn's and diet.

Burningbelly, I can understand your wanting to avoid the feeding tube. Did you have the esophagectomy related to cancer or a digestive condition?

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Yes I had squamous cell. The Crohn's is something else that they are now suspecting but still not "officially" diagnosed.

Thanks.

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1 reply
macombs | @macombs | Jun 13, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Macombs, I'm sorry that working with a nutritionist wasn't helpful for you. What have you found..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Macombs, I'm sorry that working with a nutritionist wasn't helpful for you. What have you found in the meantime that has helped for you?

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Nothing

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grace29 | @grace29 | Jun 14, 2022

I’m sick daily. Had almost every test except a ct scan and swallow a camera. Most tests are negative. Borderline inflammation and SIBO. Was treated with antibiotics which made me sicker. I’m not well always crampy and bloated. Can anyone recommend anything else. They all say ibs with mixed movements.

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1 reply
onamission | @onamission | Jun 14, 2022
In reply to @grace29 "I’m sick daily. Had almost every test except a ct scan and swallow a camera. Most..." + (show)
@grace29

I’m sick daily. Had almost every test except a ct scan and swallow a camera. Most tests are negative. Borderline inflammation and SIBO. Was treated with antibiotics which made me sicker. I’m not well always crampy and bloated. Can anyone recommend anything else. They all say ibs with mixed movements.

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@grace29, I shared this information in Digestive Health back in May that may help you about thiamine. Thiamine (vitamin B1) plays an major role in the brain, vagus nerve and gut and requires magnesium to become bioactive. Activated thiamine is needed to activate B6. The B vitamins work better together. The first link begins about it and SIBO. Anti thiamine factors diminish or destroy thiamine. The stuttersence link contains a comprehensive list. Likewise, magnesium can be lost due to pain, stress and others listed in the krispin link. The last link presents benefits of annatto tocotrienol for intestinal inflammation. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.
https://www.eonutrition.co.uk/post/when-sibo-ibs-constipation-are-just-unrecognized-thiamine-deficiency
https://www.eonutrition.co.uk/post/thiamine-deficiency-a-major-cause-of-sibo
http://stuttersense.blogspot.com/2014/08/these-factors-reduce-your-thiamine.html
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32438021/

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Deb | @dg0797 | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @cah22 "I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in February, 2020. I have had stomach issues for approximately..." + (show)
@cah22

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in February, 2020. I have had stomach issues for approximately 30 years. Before coming to Mayo and seeing my Gastro in the city I live. I was treated by a doctor here and started out taking Budesonide for 90 days and it calmed my inflammation and made a big difference in how I felt. I was actually able to function and eat on a daily basis. After a few weeks of being off the Budesonide my symptoms returned. I started on Humira Injections for 3 months. Unfortunately, I got Drug Induced Lupus from being on the Humira so I had to stop taking it. I decided to see a doctor at Mayo. I love my doctors and the care I have gotten at Mayo. We discovered through a camera pill swallow that my Crohn's went into remission from taking the Humira. Since I am in remission, I am not taking any meds for the Crohn's. I have progressively started having more flare-ups closer together. They are debilitating. I have a prescription to take to help with my stomach pain during flare-ups. I am wondering if anyone sees a Nutritionist to help with managing flare-ups. I understand that everyone is different as far as food sensitivity, but would like to know if seeing a Nutritionist at Mayo has helped anyone. During a flare-up I will lose several pounds from not being able to eat. I am a patient at The Mayo in Rochester, and travel from another state for my care.

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Hello cah22.
I've had Crohn's since 1984 and my peak was in my 20s and 30s. I'd lose weight during active cycles and the doctors treated me with Prednisone and then I would gain 30 lbs. Back then we didn't have biologics like Humira. During an active cycle I go on a bland diet (chicken broth, mashed potatoes, jello, white bread, cheese, tuna sandwiches, etc. and take Metamucil). Keep a journal of what you eat and drink. Learn not to eat foods that are triggers; especially spicy food. For example, I haven't had broccoli since 1984, but I can eat cooked carrots and green beans. Stress is also a trigger. In my first marriage of 13 years, I was psychologically abused and never went into remission. I divorced and later on remarried. My second marriage was wonderful and I went into remission for over 20 years. Even after my husband passed (last year), I have remained symptom free; which surprised me. I hope that remission will be around the corner for you and that you have someone in your life that will support you through this. I truly believe my second husband made a big impact on my recovery.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 19, 2022
In reply to @burningbelly "Yes I had squamous cell. The Crohn's is something else that they are now suspecting but..." + (show)
@burningbelly

Yes I had squamous cell. The Crohn's is something else that they are now suspecting but still not "officially" diagnosed.

Thanks.

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burningbelly, I wish you luck along this new diagnostic journey. What are the next steps to confirming the diagnosis?

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1 reply
Luci Smith | @lucismith | Jun 20, 2022
In reply to @dg0797 "Hello cah22. I've had Crohn's since 1984 and my peak was in my 20s and 30s...." + (show)
@dg0797

Hello cah22.
I've had Crohn's since 1984 and my peak was in my 20s and 30s. I'd lose weight during active cycles and the doctors treated me with Prednisone and then I would gain 30 lbs. Back then we didn't have biologics like Humira. During an active cycle I go on a bland diet (chicken broth, mashed potatoes, jello, white bread, cheese, tuna sandwiches, etc. and take Metamucil). Keep a journal of what you eat and drink. Learn not to eat foods that are triggers; especially spicy food. For example, I haven't had broccoli since 1984, but I can eat cooked carrots and green beans. Stress is also a trigger. In my first marriage of 13 years, I was psychologically abused and never went into remission. I divorced and later on remarried. My second marriage was wonderful and I went into remission for over 20 years. Even after my husband passed (last year), I have remained symptom free; which surprised me. I hope that remission will be around the corner for you and that you have someone in your life that will support you through this. I truly believe my second husband made a big impact on my recovery.

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Your words is very encouraging because I am living under tons of stress the last few years , since my 95 years old came to leave with me , my husband 85 and a prodigal son , full time job etc changed jobs was great my new manager is very easy going , I was first diagnosed last year in September with colitis IBD but just last Friday a new GI doctor did a full colonoscopy and said with assurance Crohn’s just waiting biopsy results this week .
New med is working well .
I am letting go of everything that stresses me out but above all my trust and confidence in the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the reason I alive after reaching 113 pounds week at hospital C Diff 3 times back to back which made the situation worse.
I have hope to be free indeed from this disease very soon . Life style change and easy on me .
Since 2013 I have had a share of twice diverticulitis which results in major abdominal surgery, IBS , gastroparesis and now Crohn’s , heart rhythm which end up having a pacemaker surgery January , top to bottom spine problems I am a hand full lol
But there is power in the blood of the LAMB . Blessings of health restoration to all .

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burningbelly | @burningbelly | Jun 20, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "burningbelly, I wish you luck along this new diagnostic journey. What are the next steps to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

burningbelly, I wish you luck along this new diagnostic journey. What are the next steps to confirming the diagnosis?

Jump to this post

Small bowel fluroscopy. Comedy of errors trying to do pillcam because needs to be surgically placed due to my esophagectomy/can't swallow pill that size. Also got sick from clear contrast during small bowel study last month so they will try again - this time w/barium.

do you know if this test will show anything as well as pillcam?

Thanks.

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