Honestly, I don't think there is a quick fix for that without a prescription.

I was wondering again about your diet. You said they found out you had lactose intolerance. You may well also have a gluten intolerance and that is why you cannot gain weight. If you have this intolerance, but continue to eat wheat products, you will have ongoing malnutrition.

Turn the weight around and your testosterone levels should follow.

Jan

They checked for that as well when I was in the hospital and I do not have gluten problems. Do you think the pills I'm taking are doing more harm than good? Also should I see a hormone doctor to get tests done? Im just worried that my hormones are shut down and won't ever return. I even had a bone scan test a year and a half ago and I was 2 years behind. I grew an inch when I was in the eating disorder facility but haven't since. Any thoughts?

Were you on prednisone foe a while? It can take time to recover from that.

I don't recommend over the counter testosterone boosters. You can ask your doctor about supplementation of the real stuff. In any case, as Jan says, if you can get your nutrition right the rest should be okay, too.

It probably would not hurt to ask for an endocrinologist referral, or at least get some screening tests done. It may not just be testosterone. As to bone growth, that all depends on whether your long bone ends have sealed. Once that occurs, there will be no further growth in height. Boys continue growing much later than girls do though, especially if puberty is delayed.

In regard to the gluten intolerance, you can have a subclinical intolerance that does not qualify as celiac disease, but still suffer with significant GI disturbance. You can try reducing or eliminating wheat and see if that does not improve your diet. Still, with your history of anorexia, there could well be a psychological component, which I am sure you are aware of.

Jan

The last time I was on prednisone was when I had uc. Which was over 3 years ago. And Jan what type of psychological problem are you referring to?

And scott, it seems like whenever I go to my doctor to ask for some medicine to help with appetite or growth, such as when i was delayed 3 years i wanted hgh just so i could get back on track. He always says itll happen naturally. But I don't understand why he won't give me something that'll help faster.

I lost 50 pounds after getting my pouch.
I had a round of blood tests and the only test that came back with problems was the testosterone.
It was low and most likely due to weight loss. I have gained 12 pounds since....no blood tests to confirm it but I feel as though it is coming back.
I would not even consider at my age using a drug to boost my testosterone due to all the side effects. Scary. Personally I am just waiting to see if it will come back and I think it will. I would not jump right into taking something to boost it.

How long did it take you to gain 12lbs? I just don't want to be in pain to gain weight. I want it done naturally, but I am really not ever hungry. Did you make yourself eat? And do you get an appetite now? Or did you ever lose it? The only reason im taking these pills is that the main side effect is Hunger. I've only taken it a week. But i'll stop and try to do it naturally like you.

You do know that the very researcher who first discovered gluten sensitivity has now said it doesn't exist: http://www.gastrojournal.org/a...%2Fpubmed%2F23648697

Archer, please see an endocrinologist or your GI about your testosterone and weight problems. I tend to agree that gaining your weight back will improve all the rest of your problems. Female athletes hormones are often thrown off while training for years and only when they quit and allow their bodies to attain more body fat do their monthly cycles return to normal. I'm guessing this might be the same for the opposite sex that has loss body fat and is unusually thin.

ATXguy,
Several of my closest friends are doing a lot better on gluten free diets, even if whoever says it doesn't exist. So I'm not going to tell them

TE Marie. So your saying im not done producing hormones? Like my body isn't shut down from producing testosterone and other hormones that involve puberty and what not? That's what worries me worst. How much would I have to gain to get things back on track? Any advice on what things to eat that'll digest good?
Archer

Are you under the care of a pediatric GI who specializes in IBD? I think you either need to be followed by someone like that or an endocrinologist. Pediatric IBD GIs have tons of experience with delayed puberty/growth due to Crohn's/UC, so if your doctor is saying to just give it time, that's what I would do. Faster is not always better. Honestly faster is sometimes a lot worse. Find a doctor you can trust and follow their advice, self directed treatment to try and change hormone levels is almost always a bad idea.

I had a pediatric gi doctor but I had to go to an adult gi doctor because I turned 19 and was too old for the pediatric gi doc. I've met with my new gi doc once and that was 2 months ago. I should probably schedule another appointment to see him asap to ask about the delayed puberty. Last time I went I weighed 108. And he was more concerned with my osteopenia than my weight. I just want to "develop" and become a man. I hate being small.

Hello again.
It has taken me about four months to gain twelve pounds.
I eat five to six meals a day.
Not large meals but I feel like I am eating constantly.
Another thing...I have been skinny all my life. I am 58.
I was 176 when I went in and 127 128 when I got out. I looked terrible and wanted to cry looking at myself in the mirror and I did.
I think it is a lot more difficult for skinny people to gain weight quickly...I am living proof. I eat like a pig now. It's slow but I am so happy to be gaining weight no matter how little at a time.
Some people say they are wearing the same size jeans as they did in high school. Well I only gained two sizes since then. I was 30 waist in high school and was 32 before surgery.
After surgery none of my clothes fit.
But now my 32 s fit...although baggy they fit.
Yes...I did lose my appetite and that was the strangest feeling. But it did not last long.
Now I am always hungry thank goodness.
I figure I am gaining about a pound a week.
Maybe a bit less.
As for not having an appetite I have no answers for you. Others here may and it seems like you are getting sound advice above.
Keep asking questions. No question is too dumb to ask.
I do hope you get the answers you need and I do hope there is a way to get your appetite back. When I lost mine I did have to force myself to eat and that was difficult. But I knew deep down I had to eat no matter how much I did not want to.
I wish you the best.
I hope I have been some help...even a little.
Richard

Thanks Richard. You have helped a lot. What kinds of foods do you eat? Also this might be a weird question but how does your stomach handle chocolate milk? For me it's like I don't process the chocolate color and it just goes right through me. Whole eggs also? They stop me up in a bad way from going to the bathroom. Potatoes come out in clumps. Along with any kinds of fruits and vegetables. Yogurt and pudding same thing, it comes ouy how it goes in all thick. Even peanut butter doesn't process. Do you have problems with any of these foods? It seems like the only thing that digests good for me is chicken breast, white pasta, rice, and rice krispies cereal. Any even like salad dressing, such as zesty Italian, all of those herbs and spices in the dressing doesn't process either. So you can tell I have a hard time with pretty much everything.
Archer

The psychological factors I was referring to were in regard to your hospitalization for anorexia. Even if there were physical reasons setting in in motion, it often are the psychological factors that keep it going. It does not mean you need a shrink, but that you cannot dismiss that aspect. I would imagine that you've put a lot of pressure on yourself to achieve goals in a very short time span. Sort of setting yourself up for failure.

I think most people who lost their appetite with intestinal surgery basically force themselves to eat (unless there is nausea and vomiting of course). Eventually, the appetite returns. Focus on calorie dense foods that appeal to you.

By the way, what do you mean "does not process?" Unless it is causing you pain, bloating, diarrhea, bleeding, etc., you do not need to worry about how the food looks when it "comes out." I am 19 years with a pouch and foods with lots of cellulose (plants, seeds, etc.) do not change structure before their exit. But my nutritional status is fine.

Jan

Jan. Your right about the pressure I used to put on myself, especially all through high school. But I ended up graduating my hs ranked #7. But stressed every day between school and food. That's all I thought about for years. Honestly I think the pills I started taking a few weeks ago just messed me up. I thought about it and before I started taking those testosterone pills. My system did pretty well. Then gradually started not doing well. And that's when my privates started hurting and stomach bloating as well. I think I should just do what you say and go "all natural" just let my body do what it's supposed too. For the not processing the fruits and veggies. Honestly I think I just got sick and tired of the way they came out. I thought why eat them if I'm not absorbing them. But you say I still absorb the nutrients. I can remember the months after I had surgery I ate so much fruit. I used to have a big bowl of cereal and I put blueberries, strawberries, and a banana in there. And like you said It came out in bits but never made me bloated and etc. I think over time throughout the anorexia like you said that psychological aspect got in my head and scared me about eating most of everything. I need to start incorporating fruits and veggies back in my diet. I've been told in the past that with weight gain comes puberty, growth, and etc. My eating disorder just put me back. Do you agree with what I'm saying?

Have you tried making fruit smoothies with or without protein powder Archer? I emulsify my fruit in the blender, usually frozen fruit like blueberries, strawberries, mixed fruit, etc. I use almond milk as it has twice the calcium and is low in calories. If you are looking to add pounds and are not lactose intolerant use milk for extra calories. I use Plant Fusion protein mix that is hypoallergenic and furnishes 43% of the daily protein required. You can also use Whey protein powders if you can tolerate them but please stay away from sugary ones. I always add a banana and sometimes spinach, carrots and fresh pineapple etc.

This way you avoid yogurt, as you say it bothers you. Or you can try making them with yogurt instead of with protein powder. There are lots of smoothie recipes on the internet.

By doing this the fruit doesn't come out the back door in chunks and it helps your small intestines absorb nutrients better - I think. I've read over and over again that our bodies are getting the nutrients even though the food comes out looking like it did going in With smoothies like this the end product is different. The color of your BM's will be interesting, like green from blueberries etc. I also need to take Loperamide, prescription Imodium, because of my j-pouch problems and you might need something like this too with smoothies.

Just a suggestion to help you get fruit back in your diet. You might also want to try to incorporate Ensure like products. I don't know how they would taste if used instead of a protein mix in a smoothie but that might be an idea too. We use to have to mix ice cream or pudding with ensure and freeze it to get my dad to take it as he couldn't stand drinking it.

I think you are getting a lot of good advice. Keep looking for answers and seeking out doctors until you find one that can help you. I know how frustrating it is to not get any help and answers from doctors. Many see you for 10 minutes and if nothing comes to their mind in that time they are out the door and you are out of their mind. Well, they do dictate or chart notes about your visit but many do this during your office call now. It is good if they can run tests to find things, like an endocrinologist, and can give you direction resulting from the test results but that's not usually what you need. So keep looking for a doctor that can help you. I know it is frustrating. It took me years to get my UC diagnosed.

Thanks marie. Yeah I've tried protein powders, none seem to agree. So I usually mix breakfast carnations with 2% lactose free milk that has added calcium as well to help my osteopenia. Also I blend vanilla lactose free ice cream with it as well. It's very good. For fruits i'll try and incorporate them into my diet slowly since it's been awhile since I had them. I've always just had fruit juice, like o.j. apple juice, white grape juice, just to get some fruits that way. What about apple sauce? Would the that be good to add? I used to eat that a lot as well. Just kinda stopped all of a sudden when I had my eating disorder back then.

Archer, it seems that you have a lot of insight into how your fears and focus on your eating took on a life of its own, and worked against your own best interests.

You are not alone in the assumption that if food looks unchanged when it comes out, you are not getting benefit or that something is wrong. It is a natural progression to assume you should not eat these things. Then you wind up in an unnecessarily restrictive diet that actually does cause problems. If you eat the same thing over and over again, you lose interest and soon your appetite goes. Welcome eating disorder!

Once you are in that mindset, it can be difficult to retrain the mind to relax and accept the the notion that if you feel well, you are well, and to try to ignore the anxiety related to the fear of eating.

Barring anything physically wrong, you will become more robust and healthy. Fun, physical activity will help make weight gain be muscle mass, and not just flab. Don't worry if you do not transform into Captain America. Some guys are just not as beefy as others. Plus, by the time you are 40, you'll probably wonder where all that weight came from! Good luck to you!

Jan

Jan,
Another quick question. What about chocolate milk. Almond breeze makes this chocolate milk. I used to love chocolate milk. That also comes out all chocolate like when I go to the bathroom. Is that ok that, that happens? Another fear was that if I didn't have anything left in my system before I ate my next meal that something bad would happen. Is it ok that your stomach isn't empty before you eat your next meal? That also got into my head. Sometimes I don't eat my next meal until nothing but air comes out when I go to the bathroom. Then I know it's ok to eat again so I won't get backed up with the food already in my system. Would that cause problems?
Archer

My husband works out and that helps with testosterone..

I can eat most anything.
But I cannot eat rice...pasta...I know a lot of people on the boards can eat it but I cannot. I have never ate many veggies or fruits but I eat a lot of apple sauce. I also like pickled beets...no harm with those two. I am still going thru veggies. I can eat green beans but to be careful I take a Beano.
I am still in the what can I eat and what I can't eat stage. It takes awhile.
I eat a lot of meats...burgers...bratwurst. ...steaks.
As for sugars....does not seem to bother me. I love chocolate but all that stuff I eat in moderation.
As for milk. ..any milk it is definitely a no no for me.
Like i said my pouch is new...9 months and i have a lot of healing to do and food trials to do.
It all comes very slowly i am finding out.
You say you are in pain?
What kind of pain?
I am in pain most of the time.
Seems to be mainly muscle pain from the weight loss.
I did not lose fat when I lost weight it was muscle.
I had very little fat to lose.
I wake in the morning....or really get out of bed cause waking g means you have h9ad to sleep which I still do not get much of. But when I get up I feel like 100 years old.I have to move so slow and it takes a couple hours to go away if it does and most days it does but I do it all over the next day.
I just went back to work and am glad I work afternoons as it gives me time to get loosened up to go into work.
As many will tell you everyone is different with the problems they have and how quick they heal and so on.
Me I am resigned that it is gonna take a long time to get near normal. I will never be what I was but I don't have UC anymore and I am happy for that.
Richard.

Yes...working out helps.
I tried the almond milk and it was ok and did me no wrong but I just didn't like it. Never was much of a milk drinker but I used it to put on my grain cereal but I also found out that grains really mess me up.
I cannot eat any grains.

Archer, chocolate almond milk is fine as long as you like it and does not cause symptoms. Chocolate colored poop is not a symptom, it is a result. If you drink blue Gatorade, you'll have blue or green poop. Again, a result, not a symptom.

Real chocolate and artificial flavorings could cause diarrhea if consumed in excess. So this is why variety is important. A little bit of anything should be fine.

It is pretty much unnatural to wait for a meal to completely clear your system before you eat again. Might be nice for your stomach to empty to avoid nausea, but there is 20 feet of small bowel after the stomach for the food to go. Being completely empty (fasting) just promotes cramps, bloating and gas. It is recommended to eat something every 3-4 hours while awake.

Jan

I completely agree with Jan.
I was told from the beginning to eat six meals a day.
I assume it was to keep my system full of something.
I never asked why.
Maybe Jan could answer that.
I could never wait for a meal to exit before I ate again.
I know it takes 8-12 hours to go through me anyways.

Thanks mysticobra, yeah grains don't do well for me either, I have figured that out. For me white everything is better, doesn't stop me up like whole grain does, must be the fiber. That's a shame about the pain your in. I remember my first week home from take down, and for that whole first week I couldn't sleep because of the physical pain. I would just go for small walks around my house to help. Beef is ok for me, just really never been a real fan of it. Steaks just seem to tough to chew. And Jan, I have noticed about the liquid colors from the liquids I drink. Especially red drinks, like fruit punch, grape juice, and cranberry juice. I've honestly have never been a fan of chocolate. Even before uc. I'm more into candy like starburst and sour patch kids. As for the chocolate milk, it's never caused discomfort, well it did before we found out I was lactose intolerant. I read that if your body goes a long time without drinking the enzyme lactose, your body stops producing the lactase you need to break down the lactose. I think that happened to me. I didn't drink milk for 2 years because of my eating disorder. When I was a kid, I would drink 3 gallons of milk a week, just by myself. And was never in any discomfort fron it. I used to even order in at sit down restaurants. Haha I remember my record was 7 tall glasses one night at a steakhouse. It's a shame that I stopped all of a sudden. All those strong bones I used to have, don't have them anymore. After I recovered from my eating disorder. I saw a endocrinologist, about my bones and testosterone last July. And he showed me my bone chart. I actually was on the upward path in increasing my bone density. But that was when I was 30lbs heavier than I am now. My testosterone was on track too then. But when I discharged from the eating disorder facility, that's when my pouchitis axted up big time. I was going to the bathroom, I counted 47 times a day. Then wlthe weight just fell off FAST. Quick question, do you think since I gained that much weight from March-August last year in the eating disorder facility that my body didn't know how to respond and so it basically freaked out? When I went into the facility I weighed 85lbs, and when I discharged in late August I weighed 135lbs. That's 50lbs in 5 and a half months. About the fasting, I also think that got into my head as well. I was also told to eat smal meals daily to help keep something in my system to avoid what you said, gas, bloating and etc.. I will try and do better on that, maybe that'll help with digestion as well? Always having something in the stomach to digest. Throughout my eating disorder, my stomach would get so empty that it would make a kind of a "clunking" sound when I ran or jumped. All that would come out would be mucus until I ate again. Again I appreciate everyone's advice and help with all my questions. I'm just really curious about everything. Finally want to get back on track once and for all.
Archer

Just because you are lactose intolerant, it does not mean you have to avoid milk. It is an excellent source of protein. You can drink lactose free milk, and supplement with lactase tablets when you cannot find lactose free (like when eating out and you want something like clam chowder). Many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate yogurt and many cheeses because most of the lactose is reduced. My husband is one of those. The idea is to mot go crazy, and keep the portions reasonable.

Most people produce less lactose as they approach adulthood.

You only need to avoid milk if you are allergic to the milk protein.

Jan

Thanks Jan yeah. Ive been drinking vanilla and chocolate almond milk and lactose free 2% regular milk. I drink about 1.5 gallons a week. Like you said cheeses do fine with me.

One last input.
My daughter in law bought me a canister of a product caled Raw Protein.
I drink that everyday and I know that has contributed to some of my weight gain.
Richard.

My experience has been that some foods/drinks, etc. which were not well tolerated at one time became okay later. So, I suggest that you don't give up totally on any particular food or drink. Wait a month or so and try it again.

Good to know about retrying foods that don't agree. I will try and do that.

I'll look into the raw protein as well.

.. do you have inflammation issues at all? When I had my J-pouch that was troublesome I was down the 165. Now that I have a "temporary" illeostomy I am up to 190. And, as you've pointed out, I ate like a pig on the J-pouch, but now I have an almost insatiable appetite (I have to watch my weight for the first time in a long time!)

If you aren't hungry, can you at least try to drink several high protein/weight gain formula Ensures? It's like drinking vanilla, chocolate or strawberry milk. They at least have nutrients and protein in them. Maybe that would help you get in some extra calories without feeling like you are forced to eat when your not hungry.

I hope you start gaining weight soon. You're too young to have to worry about this stuff.

Take care,
Wendy

Yeah, I've done all that. Not lactose free so upsets my stomach. I just started taking lactose free weight gainer and started lifting weights. So hopefully that'll help.
Archer

Ensure products do not have lactose, so they should be fine for you.

Jan

Ok, never liked the taste though. I'll stick with weight gainer. Stomach's been feeling good lately since stopped taking test booster and also stopped taking culturel. Feeling good as of late. Leaving for college in 7 weeks. Let the gains begin!
Archer

Good Luck.