I did not gain weight. I lost about 10 lbs due to gastoparisis but gained it back. I am holding my weight. I don't feel I am that malnourished, just all my numbers are right below normal. But skin and hair does not show it.

I think I am only mildly affected at this point, which is great. But I would like to be aggressive in stopping it from getting worse before it is too bad.

If its malnutrition your protien levels will be low. Mine dropped to 1.7. That's when the Ascites became apparent. I thought my waist was getting thicker because of my age so I increased my situps. I was also craving water. I couldn't stop drinking it. I had never heard of Ascites and had no idea that it could happen to me. It never affected my skin, but I definitely had hair loss.... but that wasn't until the Ascites was very significant. I did have an issue with my skin and had hairl oss when I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease. Just a thought.

Paula, thanks for that info. I did not know that about the protein. As I said, I think I am only borderline. And since you said that, I think I may be right. As I am at the lowest number for protein. But, I squeaked in there. But you add in all the other numbers and I think it is something worth watching.

Not sure what the water drinking has to do with protein. But I am learning all kind of new things. I keep thinking I am diabetic because I drink so much water, but lo and behold I am not. I just drink a lot of water... maybe that's why.

I think this is all worth rechecking in 3 months or so.

Thanks again for all the responses and info.

Water craving happens when the albumin (protein) levels are too low because your organs start "leaking" water back into your body cavity... it causes Ascites. Its the worst thing that happened to me with this disease.

Even if you are over weight you can still have malnutrition. With having a low vitamin D level that happens with pancreatitis because your pancreas cannot process it. I take 5,000 IU daily on top of my MVT to keep my level within a normal range. What is your diet like? If you are having bowel movements (several a day or fatty green or orange) it can be because of several reasons 1- you are eating too much fat. 2- You are eating too much at one time. 3- You are eating too fast.
Are you on enzymes to eat?
I am on creon and have to take 4 capsule before I eat a meal and 2 before a snack. I am also on a very strict diet 4 grams of fat in one day, no oils or butter, no nuts or seeds. I have "invented" several fat free meals. Let me know if I can help you at all. SMILE Alane

I, too, keep under 10g of fat a day generally.

On a side note: Coldstone Creamery is my saving grace with 3 flavors of fat free ice cream:)
Fat Free Butterscotch
Fat Free Caramel
Fat Free Chocolate

I know that CP is caused by a lot of different things and its not consistent from one person to the next for all of those things (except maybe alcohol and fatty foods), but most fat free products contain some type of "fake" sugar which causes me to have a CP episode. I have to be very careful to avoid anything that contains it. But I react to a lot of things I have not heard others here write about.. MSG, BHT, preservatives, processsed foods, margerines etc. I have switched to eating almost all organic foods.