Just Cant Put On Weight! Steriods Or Weightgainers

[nailehead]

I was diagnosed last year around October after being misdiagnosed for at least 5 years with IBS.

Some of my symptoms have subsided but alot are still present. I think i was probobly stage 3 or 4 upon reading other posts. I still have daily and weekly pains and symptoms and have felt that i have been really careful not to get glutenized!

I lost 50 lbs and CANNOT seem to put the weight back on!

I was 220lbs and thick and pretty fit.

Now i fluctuate between 176-180.....

I am 6'3" and look skinnier than i did when i was in my prime in high school!

Are there any "safe" weight gain powders or supplements?

OR are steroids the answer?

( i wasnt aware steroids where prescribed until reading some other posts..)

Any advice would be very appreciated!

[nikki-uk]

HI nailehead,

my husband has been put on steroids but not primarily to put on weight.

My husband has 'refractory' coeliac disease (meaning it's not getting better on a gluten free diet).

The steroids are prescribed to dampen down the immune system,by dampening down the immune response,this allows the bowel to heal(hopefully).

Of course a side effect of the steroids can be a huge appetite-helping with the weight gain.

My husband is around 120 pounds at 6ft tall ,so any weight gain would be a bonus!

However,these are extremely strong drugs,and should not be taken lightly.They can also have some nasty side effects-so I don't think you should be thinking of steroids just yet.Do you have a gastro doctor?.I would discuss your symptoms with him/her.Did you have a biopsy yet?.Maybe after a year gluten-free you should ask for a repeat biopsy to work out if your bowel is healing.

I believe my husband has had this disease for a long time undiagnosed,so I think that there is a lot of damage to undo,& will take a while(he's been gluten-free for 8 months.)

Another thing you may want to consider is other food allergies causing your symptoms i.e.lactose,casein,soy,yeast.

Do you see a dietician?.They would be able to advise on suitable gluten-free build up additives(my husband has enlive &ensure drinks packed with vitamins & calories).

I hope this is some help!

[nailehead]

Thanks Nikki!

I was diagnosed by my "primary care" doctor, which pretty much means an all around family physician, but at least she finally found it ( Celiac ) after 5 years and 5 other docs telling me it was IBS and to "live with it"!

I was referred to a specialist here in San Diego that i will be contacing today..hopefully and set up an appt.

I have been conversing with a nutritionis/celiac specialist over the phone, and she feels that i have a severe case of Celiac and DEF need to go see a specialist!

working on that now!

thanks for your input!

i am in pain and discomfort EVERYDAY even being on the gluten-free diet!

it is really frustrating and affecting my attitude mentally, and still my body physically...very depressing...

[KaitiUSA]

First, have you made sure nothing is sneaking into your diet? Have you checked things like shampoos and stuff you put on your hands, face, or head that could possibly get into your mouth?

I lost close to 20 pounds before going gluten free but after I gained it back.

Ensure Plus (chilled) is really good to get some calories into you. They have 350 calories for 1 bottle= to 1 cup. Ensure Plus is made to help people gain weight. My favorite is the butter pecan...chilled always taste better. Ensure and Ensure Plus drinks are gluten free.

Sunflower seeds, peanuts, cashews, apples or a fruit with peanut butter. These are a few things that are good for gaining weight because they are high calorie.

You need to eat more calories then you burn. I know I have a fast metabloism on top of everything so I had to eat alot more in order to gain weight. Eat about 500 more calories then you usually eat.

Here is a link with a calorie counter...what you can do is put in your ideal weight and it will tell you how many calories you need to have to reach that goal.

Open Original Shared Link

Here is another site for it as well...this one is a bit more in depth

Open Original Shared Link

[nikki-uk]

It's hard going isn't it, to finally find out why you feel so bad-but to not feel any better with the 'cure'(gluten-free diet).

I think I also understand what you mean by all of this is affecting your 'mental attitude'.

My husband has been gravely ill with this disease,and he does get very down about it.Since diagnosis in the last 8 months he has been mostly bedridden,& it's affected us all as a family(we have 3 kids too).

It is so very frustrating when despite your best efforts you're not getting better,however,hopefully-you'll have a better idea of what's going on after seeing your specialist.

Hang in there-hope you feel better soon.