Weight loss and CC

Post by **tex** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:06 pm

Donna,

In the summer, 1,000 IU may be enough, (depending on the level that you are trying to maintain), since you live in Alabama, and assuming that you get a fair amount of sun. I am in Texas, at about the same latitude as you, (so the sunlight should be about the same intensity). I am taking 2,500 IU during the summer, but from about November until April, (when I don't get near as much sun exposure), I take 4,500 IU, daily. I'm trying to keep my vitamin D level in the upper part of the range. I had a blood test last week, but I haven't received my vitamin D results yet, since that sample had to be sent off to a different lab. I'll post my result when I receive it, in a few days.

Donna wrote:do doctors not believe that a diet change can fix MC LC and CC? Oh I forgot, that would stop you from having to go back over and over again.

Believe it or not, most GI specialists will argue until they are blue in the face, that diet has nothing to do with MC, (mostly because they mistakenly believe that there is no such thing as non-celiac gluten-sensitivity). You are right, though - that attitude earns them a lot of repeat business.

Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:43 pm

Thats good info Tex. I think I posted a while ago in November I had a count of 2, 50k iu for 3 months brought that up to 26. I would think I need a bit more than average. I am currently taking 2k iu in the summer, what would you think of in the winter months this far north (NH)?

--Joe

kimtg68 · Post by **kimtg68** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:12 pm

Donna, to ensure I'm not seeing the last doc you saw there that was not helpful......could you possibly email me his/her name? I would greatly appreciate it. Maybe I can be lucky enough to find a good one and recommend that person to you. Time will tell.

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:12 am

Hi Kim,

I have sent you a pm (private message). There are several ways to get to your pm's. My favourite is to look in the box that is on the top of the index page when you log in - it says 'Hi Kimtg68' and tells you how many messages you have unread and how many pms you have. You can click on your pms from there, or look up above the google box for the bit where it says 'you have (no) new messages'.

I take 5,000 IU of vit D in winter, will drop it down when summer rolls around - probably to 3,000.

Cheers,
Lyn

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:30 am

Hi Donna,

and Welcome.

There is no reason for a gluten free diet to cause you to lose more weight. In fact, getting your gut healed will make it easier for you to put on weight.

I have been gluten free and dairy free for a while now, and am now struggling to lose weight.......

Some of our members get results quickly by eliminating gluten, others will take longer and may need to also eliminate other things - dairy and soy in that order are the other most common problems. You will get your life back.

There are lots of things you can now eat, that will help you put on weight. Have a look at Dee's recipe collection for some ideas. Or we can come up with some suggestions just for you.

Lyn

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:38 am

Donna
more greetings from down under - Australia

:boomarang:

I agree with Lyn - once your gut is no longer inflammed and the digestion process is more settled, weight and health will definately improve.

unfortunately there i no 'quick fix'

or short cuts
life with MC, getting management and good health, takes time, patience, diligence and a bit of hard work.

the advice and assistance offered by the wonderful people in this family do make it way way easier!

Post by **tex** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 7:44 am

That's a very good point, Lyn, because actually, in addition to resolving the malabsorption issue, one of the main complaints that one hears from the celiac crowd, is the fact that gluten-free foods tend to be higher in calories, than conventional foods. Many of them complain about the difficulties they have with keeping their weight down, because most gluten-free flours are very fattening, and if any commercial GF products are used, there is no such thing as "low calorie" versions, or "diet" versions. IOW, on the average, GF foods are more fattening than conventional foods.

Tex

ant · Post by **ant** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:58 am

Dear Donna,

Welcome from Hong Kong!. I cannot add to the advice you have already got, except to add it is obvious that diet is a vital part of the treatment of MC...... The clinical evidence reported on this board, which represents a sample significantly higher then many research studies, proves this. It saddens me every time I think of the unnecessary suffering that is caused by this lack of recognition. But then I am happy when people find this site and can start on a journey to remission.

Best wishes for better health. Ant

Post by **tex** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:25 pm

Joe,

Sorry for the tardy response. I read your post last night, and had an interruption, and then I forgot to respond, when I got back to the board - probably due to a worse than usual episode of my chronic CRS.

Of course, the unknown is what your level will be at the end of summer, (depending on how much sun exposure you are likely to get during the summer), because at your latitude, you probably can't count on picking up any vitamin D from the sun, after about the time that fall arrives. The level you wish to try to maintain, will be a major part of the equation, also. To provide some possible benefits for helping to suppressing Crohn's and MC symptoms, I believe that maintaining a level in the upper part of the range is recommended, (say, 80 to 100). To do that, you will probably need a minimum daily dose of 6,000 IU, and more likely, 8,000 IU, (possibly more). It's tough to predict an exact number, because we all get varying amounts of sun, and, probably, we all have somewhat different body chemistry, which will affect the way we produce/absorb/utilize vitamin D. Of course, diet probably has some influence, also, and there are likely to be other factors, as well. If you are still playing catchup at the end of summer, then of course, you may need even higher doses during the fall and winter.

If I recall, Polly takes 5,000 or 6,000 IU during the winter, (in Maryland), but I don't know what her 25(OH)D level is.

Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:58 pm

Thanks Tex. I think I am going to ask my PCP for a repeat of the test this month.

-Joe

JoAnn · Post by **JoAnn** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:59 pm

Hi Donna, I'm a little late welcoming you, but glad you are here. Finding this board was an answer to my prayers and has brought me health and healing. You have been given great advice and if you follow it, you will regain your life and health. It takes time and patience, but it is important to begin the diet immediately. Just know most of us were very sick when we found this board, but with diet changes, sometimes with medication, we have regained our health and lives. This board is filled with wisdom, experience, comfort, and good listeners. You have found the best place there is to regain your optimism and life. Good luck as you begin your journey, JoAnn

grannyh · Post by **grannyh** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:42 pm

Welcome!

I don't think I would have kept my sanity without this site:) I have been on entocort ec for about 6 years.. but I spent at least a couple of years living within feet of the bathroom and never leaving the house except to see a new doctor! The worst experience was a doctor who said he wouldn't see me again unless I agreed to see a psychologist as he was sure the cause of the D was all in my head!

Since you have been reading the posts for awhile, you know there is no one cure for everyone... and most of us have several foods or additives we can't tolerate.. and the extra things aren't the same for everyone either.. Tis truly a baffling illness but there is so much hope and help here.

I learned more about patience and perseverance with CC than I did raising kids...LOL
grannyh

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:51 am

Morning Donna and Welcome!

I must say you have landed in the right place on this board and there is none other like it on the internet and probably anywhere else. Tons of experience, knowledge, positive attitude and just plain good folk here. We have all taken our own road to a better and healthy life and some with diet alone, diet and meds and in some rare cases just meds. With diet alone - as I have settled into over the long haul - it does take a bit of give and take to sort out any possible intolerance other than - for most of us - gluten being the main one.

Please delve into the board and there are also great recipes in Dee's kitchen. We have people here from many walks of life and many countries. The board is always growing and what a family it is.

Here's to better health for you.

Maggie

dpaschal · Post by **dpaschal** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:42 pm

Been doing really good, eating gluten free for the past 4 days. No stomach pains and D much better. But I made a big mistake today. Not thinking I chewed 2 piece of gum one piece behind the other and oh my, oh my, with in an hour I was doubled over with pain. I got on the internet to see if gum had gluten in it and it does. I think I can say gluten is for sure alot of my problem. No more gum for me.

Post by **tex** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:07 pm

Sorry that you had the reaction, but at least you quickly tracked down the problem.

Good detective work.

It's great to hear that you're doing so much better, other than that little setback. Thanks for the update.

Tex