Re: Weight loss with PSC and UC

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know the mechanisms behind how PSC and/or UC lead to

weight loss? Are there any dietary changes or medications that can

counteract this weight loss?

A little about me...I'm 6'3 " and 174 lbs. Three years ago I weighed around 200

lbs. Im 21 and was dx with PSC and UC in April.

Thanks,

Femi

[Guest guest]

Femi,

When I began going into remission of UC and considerably gained weight my GI told me that is a sign of better digestion. I wonder if PSC has anything to do with it.

Saul

UC - 94 PSC - 95

[Guest guest]

As the liver deteriorates it looses the ability to effectively

process nutrients. This can cause weight loss, as well as vitamin

deficiencies and malnutrition.

If you're experiencing weight loss, it's important to ask your doctor

to include vitamin and mineral tests with your lab panels, and

supplement as necessary. You might also consider increasing your

calories by adding additional small meals throughout the day.

On the other hand, weight gain is often the result of ascities.

Pam (mom to Quantell, 13, dx 1996, tx 2001, still fighting

complications)

[Guest guest]

Is there anyone out there whose doctor has prescribed

drink Ensures or Boost to combat the weight loss? I'm

in a similar boat as the original poster -- 6' 3 " and

was weighing in at 160 but have recently dipped down

to 145.

Also, this is an ignorant question on my part, but

does anyone know if it is unwise to load up on these

drinks (or protein rich drinks) if you're experiencing

kidney problems?

Thanks,

Jeff

--- amnce wrote:

> As the liver deteriorates it looses the ability to

> effectively

> process nutrients. This can cause weight loss, as

> well as vitamin

> deficiencies and malnutrition.

>

> If you're experiencing weight loss, it's important

> to ask your doctor

> to include vitamin and mineral tests with your lab

> panels, and

> supplement as necessary. You might also consider

> increasing your

> calories by adding additional small meals throughout

> the day.

>

> On the other hand, weight gain is often the result

> of ascities.

>

> Pam (mom to Quantell, 13, dx 1996, tx 2001, still

> fighting

> complications)

>

>

[Guest guest]

My GI suggested that I drink Ensure and/or Boost. I did, but the cost is

too much for me to handle at the present time. I did purchase a Protein

Powder from a Nutrition store that my GI felt was OK. I drink it in the

morning and evening. It is mixed with Water or Milk. I was 130 lbs and

5'9. I have always wanted to get more muscle mass, but was never able to

gain weight. This Protein powder is for Muscle mass and high in Protein

and calories. Just what I need. You may want to ask about a Powder form

as it goes along way versus the Ensure cans.

I was at 125 lbs on June 24 and today weigh 144 lbs. I am on 25 mg

Prednisone as well, but the protein drinks have kept my energy up as well.

Good luck.

in St. Louis

PSC 5/03, UC 6/03

ig27_2000@...

om To:

cc:

08/28/2003 11:06 Subject: Re: Re:

Weight loss with PSC and UC

AM

Please respond to

Is there anyone out there whose doctor has prescribed

drink Ensures or Boost to combat the weight loss? I'm

in a similar boat as the original poster -- 6' 3 " and

was weighing in at 160 but have recently dipped down

to 145.

[Guest guest]

Quantell takes Pediasure (the kids' version of Ensure) and Peptimin

(similar, but with a higher calorie-per-ounce formula) to get almost

3000 calories a day, in an attempt to get his weight on the charts.

He's been getting this stuff for years and I've never heard or read

any warnings about kidney complications, or any other adverse affects

for that matter. The nutritionists have always indicated that it's

good stuff.

I will caution, however, that all of these products are quite

expensive, and rarely covered by insurance.

Pam (mom to Quantell, 13, dx 1996, tx 2001, still fighting

complications)

[Guest guest]

Carnation Instant Breakfast accomplishes

the same thing as Ensure, and is less expensive. But, if you are taking a “potassium

sparing” diuretic like Lasix, you need to be careful about your Potassium

level.

Steve Rahn

L Tx 9/6 & 9/8 '85. (Wash. U-STL)

(re) Born on the

4th of July, 2003 (U of Iowa)

www.presumedconsent.org

" Do

not go gentle into that good night

Rage,

rage against the dying of the light "

(Dylan

)

[Guest guest]

When I was trying to stop my rapid weight loss this spring (lost 38

lbs in 6 weeks), I made reasonably priced smoothies w/ the following:

-Bananas

-Assorted other fruit

-a couple scoops of GenSoy Soy Protein Shake mix (one of the cheaper

ones)

-a couple scoopes Carnation instant breakfast

-milk

-frozen yogurt

-high fiber cereal or other fiber supplement

At the time, I wasn't able to tolerate much if any fat in my diet, so

this seemed to do the trick (you can get all of the above without

fat, or you can go the fat route). The sweetness of the Carnation mix

made the protein shake mix more palatable.

Be sure to compare the nutrients on the Carnation box w/ Ensure or

Boost -- they seemed similar enough that I couldn't bear to spend the

extra $$ on anything but Carnation.

Other advice you've probably already heard: small, frequent meals;

avoid drinking much with meals -- drink at other times; pasta.

Worked for me. Only problem was when my symptoms receded I gained

back 20 of the 38 I lost far too quickly. Now I'm hoping to replace

that fat w/ muscle mass.

Philip

PSC '94. Persistent itching since '93. On tx list since June '03,

though MELD very low -- live donor on standby if/when sx progress.