Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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melevebos 07/12/2008

Does anyone know how common weight loss is with MS in comparison to other diseases with similar symptoms?

In addition to all the other symptoms the weight loss is really starting to freak me out. While I haven't had much of an appetite, I have forced myself to eat a fairly normal amount of food in attempts to slow the weight loss. I also drink 3-5 20oz gatorades each day (at the direction of my doctor) to try and avoid low blood pressure. The gatorade alone adds and extra 400-650 calories every day. Yet I am STILL losing weight. With a 15 lb loss in the past 2 months and 8 within just the last 2 weeks, I'm starting to panic. Yes I wanted to lose weight (I am 5'3" and currently 135) but not this way.

Is this common with MS or do you think the doctors have missed something? Here's a recap on my info:
Thyroid tests normal
Negative ANA
Negative Rheumatoid Factor
No HIV
Normal pet scan from neck to thigh
Normal kidney labs
Normal liver labs
MRI of brain showed one small area of enhancement

?????????? Any ideas?

deleted_user 07/12/2008

Weight loss for me is normal. When I was first dx I had lost 35lb in 6 months. Now averaging 4 lbs a week. But I am yo-yo now. I can't eat sometimes. I have spams in my belly. I have gotten really picky with foods. I joke too I'm glad I weight I wanted to lose. I don't get excited about it. I understand some MSers are like me and don't eat or have weight loss. Seems to go in cycles. I eat when I'm hungry avoiding things that make me sick and when I don't I force something down high in calories like a high sugary drink. You might be in the mist of a loss but it should plateu. Just keep an eye on it and don't get too excited. Good Luck to you finding you way!

melevebos 07/12/2008

Thank you for your response. Yes I have had several of these where I lose then plateu. But my concern is that I never gain back what I lost. Right now I am fine as far as height to weigh ratio. But if I keep following this pattern I will eventually run out of weight to lose. Each episode I lose from 10-15 lbs. 5 years ago I weighed 189 lbs. I am now 135. Don't get me wrong, I was overweight then, and my body looks better now, but....

As for the sugary drink, like I said I have been forcing myself to eat and drinking 3-5 gatorades a day which carry alot of calories.

As for being a picky eater, I have noticed that when I do have problems with my appetite it seems my biggest food aversions are meat and greasy foods. Wonder what my body is trying to tell me? I've been eating things like peanut butter toast, baked potatoes (with all the toppings), popcorn, etc. My stomach doesn't like much else. Can't even handle potatoe chips cause they are too greasy.

melevebos 07/12/2008

Oh and I forgot to add I also throw in 1-2 carnation instant breakfasts per day to help get nutrients and calories. Even when I am not sick I have at least one of these a day.

deleted_user 07/12/2008

I can't handle greasy foods either. Not into chips anymore. Use to live on them. Eggs and milk are another no no for me. I gave chocolate for 6 months with no issues. (I thought maybe that was causing reactions). There are some foods I don't eat at all and others I have found I can't get enough of.

I hear it may be possible to have something on the brain with MS that effects our bellies and our eating. Enjoy eating what you can and leave the others.

I had my gallbladder out years ago. Now I relize I still get the same pains I had then. I joke with people that serve me I eat less than a child so serve me just a little. If I want more a second serving feels good now :)

melevebos 07/12/2008

Yup eggs are huge aversion for me lately too. Can't even stomache the smell of them. And I've never been a milk person. I will have it with my carnation shake and that is it. Hmmm. Anyone else with these same aversions?

Grease, meat, eggs, milk? Maybe there is something to this?

deleted_user 07/12/2008

meat, milk and eggs will make body pH more acidic(lower) ..not sure about the grease.
Increased acidity (lowered body pH) kills good gut bacteria ->reducing absorption of nutrients.

www.RAMSwebsite.Net read "eczema & RLS" link it goes over links to studies about how bacteria influence bile acids that go to how fat is metabolized in the body.

-Best wishes to you all

deleted_user 07/12/2008

My husband lost about 20 lbs in the past year since he's been diagnosed. He eats pretty normally except the addition of many various berries and lots more veggies now that he's been trying to help with "stomach issues" but other than that still the same - meat, and lots of it ;)

feisty 07/12/2008

I'm not sure if weight loss is a normal symptom of MS, I usually hear the opposite, but for me it's been a consistant problem.

I'm 5'3 and went from about 115 pounds to struggling to stay above 90. I know part of it has to do with my medications, but I my appetite has changed. The funny thing is, I can anything I want and not gain weight. I eat healthy, but I eat a lot, usually only after 5pm.

I do drink a lot of milk. I love milk. I don't like eggs anymore, and I've never been big on greasy foods, but I do love batter! I can make a meal out of just the batter off of fried food when I have a craving. Go figure.

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