Help Me Before I Litterally Waste Away.

[razberrykisses]

I was diagnosed with celiac in march of this year. My mom has it, and i have had 5 pregnancy losses. After i got the test i went 100% gluten free. I have felt sooo much better ect. however, in october i found out i was pregnant again. Since then i have dropped almost 30 lbs. Now that might not be a big deal for some people exept i was at 130 lbs when i got pregnant. I am now 20 weeks pregnant and i feel like i am dieing. My doctor doesnt get it. she keeps telling me to eat suppliments that i cant eat. a nutritionist that told me to eat more bread...umm huh? Gluten free you moron! I am drinking ensure every day, eat meals plus snacks, and nothing is working. She said if i dont gain weight by next visit i have to be hospitalized. I dont know what to do. ANYTHING someone has to say that actually understands my diet limitations would be great.

[lovegrov]

I wish I had a clue, but I don't. If you're strictly gluten-free and you're pregnant, you should most definitely be gaining weight. Just wanted to say good luck and I hope you figure it out.

richard

[Janessa]

you could possibly have additional intolerances that could be holding you back. I know that Ensure is almost 100% highly processed corn and soy, not good for you even if you can have them, there is another vitamin drink I use called mix 1 that is more natural. You could try adding more good fat to each meal to up your calories, like olive oil and avocado.

Also there are a lot of natural supplements out there they are just a little harder to find, use what your dr. recommended as a guideline and find one you can have. Googlr Dr Ron for tons of natural gluten free supplements

[tarnalberry]

If you were able to maintain a stead weight *before* the pregnancy, and are able to keep food down and consume enough calories, and haven't changed what you were eating, it's probably not the food. If your OB/midwife hasn't been helpful, FIND ANOTHER ONE. Even if just for a second opinion. And honestly, in that case, I would go with a high risk maternal-fetal specialist.

But do you know if you are getting enough calories?

Are you able to keep everything down?

(Is your prenatal vitamin gluten free?)

It's not uncommon to lose weight in the first trimester, but you're well out of that now, and should be showing some variety of positive gain, even if it's not much.

[kareng]

Many years ago, when I was pregnant, my doctor told me about a patient who wasn't gaining. He had her keep nuts with her & eat them all day. Not sure if that will help. If you live anywhere near a medical school, you might get a second opinion there. Sometimes they are good for "odd" diseases. Good Luck.

[razberrykisses]

I have had a bunch of tests to check for other allergies and intollerances. I dont have any, thats why i am just at a loss! I can keep food down, and i am getting my calorie intake. My doctor says it has to do with having celiac disease but i am not sure. I am really wondering if she would refer me to a fetal maternal medicine doc.

[StephanieSD]

I have had a bunch of tests to check for other allergies and intollerances. I dont have any, thats why i am just at a loss! I can keep food down, and i am getting my calorie intake. My doctor says it has to do with having celiac disease but i am not sure. I am really wondering if she would refer me to a fetal maternal medicine doc.

If you're eating healthy, gluten-free meals, then it's not the celiac disease. You really should talk to another doctor and another nutritionist, ones who understand gluten intolerance.

[laurie1]

I was diagnosed with celiac in march of this year. My mom has it, and i have had 5 pregnancy losses. After i got the test i went 100% gluten free. I have felt sooo much better ect. however, in october i found out i was pregnant again. Since then i have dropped almost 30 lbs. Now that might not be a big deal for some people exept i was at 130 lbs when i got pregnant. I am now 20 weeks pregnant and i feel like i am dieing. My doctor doesnt get it. she keeps telling me to eat suppliments that i cant eat. a nutritionist that told me to eat more bread...umm huh? Gluten free you moron! I am drinking ensure every day, eat meals plus snacks, and nothing is working. She said if i dont gain weight by next visit i have to be hospitalized. I dont know what to do. ANYTHING someone has to say that actually understands my diet limitations would be great.

Has your Dr. had your thyroid function checked? If not, that might be a good place to start. Thyroid disorders are commonly found alongside celiac disease and would explain your fairly rapid - yet unexplained weight loss. Is weight loss your only symptom?

Laurie Cole, Holistic HHC

[tarnalberry]

I would encourage you get to a new doctor, ASAP.

[Janessa]

I hope you don't have any more allergies or intolerances, but just so you know I had a bunch or skin and blood tests for allergies and nothing showed up not even things I knew I was already allergic to like peanuts. My dr. explained the tests had about a 50% accuracy, and I did find I did have reactions (sometimes very strong) to foods which I tested negative.

[katinagj]

I agree with getting checked for thyroid disorders. It is not uncommon at all for them to suddenly appear after getting pregnant or after giving birth. Definitely something to get checked out, hyperthyroidism can cause you to lose a lot of weight with absolutely no explanation. I would also try seeing a different doctor to at least get a second opinion. I wish I could help more.. I really hope that you can get this figured out, you are in my thoughts..

[TrillumHunter]

I think you should see another doctor. The thyroid check is a good idea.

Have you had an ultrasound yet?

[razberrykisses]

I think you should see another doctor. The thyroid check is a good idea.

Have you had an ultrasound yet?

I have had my ultrasound. My little girl is actually measuring a week ahead right now. She is perfect in everyway. I asked my doctor about the thyroid. She said that she wants me to do weekly weight checks and call her with the results. If in 1 month i havent gained 5 pounds or more she is going to consider sending me to maternal fetal medicine. I think i may just look for a doctor who knows what they are talking about.

[jackay]

Many years ago, when I was pregnant, my doctor told me about a patient who wasn't gaining. He had her keep nuts with her & eat them all day. Not sure if that will help. If you live anywhere near a medical school, you might get a second opinion there. Sometimes they are good for "odd" diseases. Good Luck.

Be sure the nuts are packaged in a gluten free facility.

[NicoleAJ]

I have had my ultrasound. My little girl is actually measuring a week ahead right now. She is perfect in everyway. I asked my doctor about the thyroid. She said that she wants me to do weekly weight checks and call her with the results. If in 1 month i havent gained 5 pounds or more she is going to consider sending me to maternal fetal medicine. I think i may just look for a doctor who knows what they are talking about.

I would go to a high risk specialist now rather than waiting around for another month. A 30 lb weight loss is significant. It's very good news that your little one is measuring ahead--this probably means that she's getting what she needs but is sucking you totally dry. By 18 weeks pregnant I was still down a 1/2 lb from my pre-pregnancy weight, and I was not vomiting and was getting all of the calories I need (I started at 134 at 5'6")--although the nurse seemed concerned, my doctor said that some women don't really gain weight until the baby starts packing on the pounds. She wasn't concerned since my weight loss was very minor. I'll be 22 weeks tomorrow, and I've now gained 5 lbs in these last few weeks; my little girl is also measuring ahead and is healthy. However, my doctor has been closely monitoring different levels of nutrients to make sure that baby and I have enough. I had a vitamin D deficiency, so she started me on 3,000 IUs of D daily. Then my chronic B12 deficiency started to rear its ugly head, so I'm now taking it sublingually on a daily basis. I also take Rainbow light prentals, which are gluten free and am taking a gluten free version of DHA daily. She'll check my levels again at 28 weeks. Hopefully you'll start packing on the pounds soon, but you should definitely be seeing someone with a little bit more knowledge of fetal health. The good ultrasound is an excellent sign, but there might be something else going on. I agree with everyone else about the thyroid levels. Good luck and keep us posted.