Re: TPN & Weight Loss to Ginny

[Guest guest]

Ginny,

I'm afraid that my only experience about this is through what my

GI told me when I was so underweight and malnourished.....well,

I still am, actually, but what I was told was that if I went on TPN all

that could be assured was that I wouldn't lose any weight, that it

could help me maintain where I was. Consequently, I never

elected to go on TPN if that's all that could be done. I decided to

try to regain it on my own.

I am still 15 pounds short of my goal, but it has taken me five

months to put on 13 pounds. I think part of the reason for the

success of this much gain so far has been because I' ve pretty

stopped the low fat regimen since my pancreas burn-out, and

am now following a regular diet with modified carb intake

(necessary for the diabetes).

I realize this isn't something that Henry can do. As long as his

pancreas is functioning he needs to stay low fat. Has the doctor

talked to you about a product called Peptamen? This is a

medium chain triglyceride product that is often used by

undernourished patients to put on weight. This liquid diet

supplement contains pre-digested nutrients that are supposedly

easy to digest and designed to help gain weight. Ask Dr.

Pappas about this at Henry's appointment and see what he has

to say about it.

I'm sorry I couldn't suggest anything more. It sounds as though

Henry may have a malabsorption problem that could be as bad

as mine, and I'll tell you, it's a real struggle. Unfortunately, it isn't

something that one gets over, it reoccurs off and on throughout

one's life. I have some articles on malabsorption if you would

like to have more information about it. Let me know.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SE & SW Regional Representative

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

> Has anyone here ever managed to start GAINING weight on

TPN (tube feeding)?

Ginny