Ive been greatly symptomatic for over a year. Previous to this I would get infections and have stomach upsets and manage meds but doctors didnt find it concerning. Alot has gone far down hill since then. Im pretty clueless about all of it. Ive been trying to find a decent doctor for a long time and think I finally found one but have a bit more testing to do before a new treatment plan can be determined. So my immediate concern is that I have around 6 bowel movements a day and no matter how much I eat I keep losing weight. I lost 20lbs over the last month. My primary care was handling this while I was in limbo with specialists and decided to put me on a probiotic. Hes not very educated on all this. Upon starting the probiotic my BM's lessened a bitbut I get extremely bloated and have had constipation and will vomit sometimes. And with this going on I have no appetite and dont handle food well so am still losing weight. Im not underweight right now but edging the lower end of where I should be for my height. Ive seen some things on drinks and such that can be purchased and mixed to help maintain weight but just to get through a few weeks its over $100. Im nineteen and pretty much on my own financially and medical wise at this point so money is a struggle. Any reccommendations on ways I can maintain my weight while things get figured out with the new doc?? I dont do well with ensure type drinks or milk filled things. If this type of thing is not the way to go any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Need Reccommendations
- Thread starter muchlove
- Start date
Ive been greatly symptomatic for over a year. Previous to this I would get infections and have stomach upsets and manage meds but doctors didnt find it concerning. Alot has gone far down hill since then. Im pretty clueless about all of it. Ive been trying to find a decent doctor for a long time and think I finally found one but have a bit more testing to do before a new treatment plan can be determined. So my immediate concern is that I have around 6 bowel movements a day and no matter how much I eat I keep losing weight. I lost 20lbs over the last month. My primary care was handling this while I was in limbo with specialists and decided to put me on a probiotic. Hes not very educated on all this. Upon starting the probiotic my BM's lessened a bitbut I get extremely bloated and have had constipation and will vomit sometimes. And with this going on I have no appetite and dont handle food well so am still losing weight. Im not underweight right now but edging the lower end of where I should be for my height. Ive seen some things on drinks and such that can be purchased and mixed to help maintain weight but just to get through a few weeks its over $100. Im nineteen and pretty much on my own financially and medical wise at this point so money is a struggle. Any reccommendations on ways I can maintain my weight while things get figured out with the new doc?? I dont do well with ensure type drinks or milk filled things. If this type of thing is not the way to go any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Seems like an excessive amount of bm's. I would ask about adjusting your enzymes and/or changing brands. I also would have the doc send you to an gastrenologist. CF affects digestion and pancreas and sounds like you are having major problems in that area. More calories will help with weight gain and eating more often. Ensure Plus shakes are good too. But I would really address all this with your doc ie. gastro doc. Good Luck and hope you can turn it all around!
Seems like an excessive amount of bm's. I would ask about adjusting your enzymes and/or changing brands. I also would have the doc send you to an gastrenologist. CF affects digestion and pancreas and sounds like you are having major problems in that area. More calories will help with weight gain and eating more often. Ensure Plus shakes are good too. But I would really address all this with your doc ie. gastro doc. Good Luck and hope you can turn it all around!
I agree with Jennifer. Definitely might want to try and see a specialist. The easiest thing would be adjusting/changing your enzymes - I hope it turns out to be that simple! I know some of the drug companies that provide the enzymes also offer complimentary supplements. I don't do well with milk based supplements, so there are some juice-based ones. My nutritionists have also recommended protein drinks or protein powder. You can also try mixing in some of the supplement powders with other food as well. (Mixing in some carnation instant breakfast powder into mashed potatoes kinda thing...)
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
I agree with Jennifer. Definitely might want to try and see a specialist. The easiest thing would be adjusting/changing your enzymes - I hope it turns out to be that simple! I know some of the drug companies that provide the enzymes also offer complimentary supplements. I don't do well with milk based supplements, so there are some juice-based ones. My nutritionists have also recommended protein drinks or protein powder. You can also try mixing in some of the supplement powders with other food as well. (Mixing in some carnation instant breakfast powder into mashed potatoes kinda thing...)
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Muchlove I'm so sorry to hear about this struggle. I would agree with the others that playing around with enzyme doses could help, try increasing gradually over a few days and see if it helps. In addition try to note if there are certain foods that bring on BMs more so than others. Your body isn't getting a chance to gain weight with 6 BMs per day. I'd say stick with some probiotic drink, not enough to make you constipated but maintain some additional gut flora. In IBS I know there is a large emotional involvement so do try to remain as unstressed as possible. You will get to the bottom of this. Best of luck finding the right doctor!
Muchlove I'm so sorry to hear about this struggle. I would agree with the others that playing around with enzyme doses could help, try increasing gradually over a few days and see if it helps. In addition try to note if there are certain foods that bring on BMs more so than others. Your body isn't getting a chance to gain weight with 6 BMs per day. I'd say stick with some probiotic drink, not enough to make you constipated but maintain some additional gut flora. In IBS I know there is a large emotional involvement so do try to remain as unstressed as possible. You will get to the bottom of this. Best of luck finding the right doctor!
Unlike the posts above, I didn't read anything that said that you are taking enzymes now. You need to be on a digestive enzyme like Creon, Zenpep etc. This will help you digest your food, allow you to put weight on and reduce number of BMs.
About your Doctor, you need to be seen at an APPROVED CF CENTER by a CF SPECIALIST.
Bill
About your Doctor, you need to be seen at an APPROVED CF CENTER by a CF SPECIALIST.
Bill
Unlike the posts above, I didn't read anything that said that you are taking enzymes now. You need to be on a digestive enzyme like Creon, Zenpep etc. This will help you digest your food, allow you to put weight on and reduce number of BMs.
About your Doctor, you need to be seen at an APPROVED CF CENTER by a CF SPECIALIST.
Bill
About your Doctor, you need to be seen at an APPROVED CF CENTER by a CF SPECIALIST.
Bill