I need to gain weight very soon

[MorganMorgan]

I am a fulltime student working and being a active member of a sorority. In the past 2 years of my college career I have lost 35Lbs and counting. At the most I eat two meals a day but usually only one meal a day. I am always tired and have little to know energy throuhout the day. I am constantly getting sick and I am always cold. I have tried eatting more but it just makes me feel sick my stomach starts to hurt. And even after that I still am not getting the nutrition I need to make me body fuction correctly and help me gain weight. I am 5'2'' 98Lbs age 20, and I am all out of ideas I need to know what will help me gain my weight back?

[TrudieC]

I'd really encourage you to go to your doctor and get a check up to determine why food is making you feel sick.  What are you eating?  Can you at least try drinking Ensure to help you get some nutrition?  Do you take any vitamins or supplements?

[Barb135]

I agree with Trudie -- you need to go see your doctor. You should ask for some blood work to check your thyroid - you have some symptoms of hyperthyroidism, meaning your thyroid is overactive, but you also have some symptoms of hypothyroidism, meaning it's underactive...........I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it's possible.  You really need to get checked.  Ask for the following:  TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and antibody levels TPOab and TGab.......Oh, while you are at it, ask to be tested for vitamin b12 levels..............that will give you a place to start.

If you are only eating 1-2 meals/day, you aren't getting nearly enough food in your system and most likely not enough essential nutrients.  It's extremely important that you eat breakfast -- yes, mother told you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and she was right!!  Trudie's idea of Ensure is a great one -- so if you can't eat breakfast, at least sip a can of Ensure....

You say "I have tried eatting more but it just makes me feel sick my stomach starts to hurt"  -- maybe you need to just "graze" all day -- like small bits at really close intervals -- enough to get the calories you need, but not enough to make you sick.  

*I* used to have a problem with eating enough and that's what I had to do. Often if I ate just one bite too much, I'd get sick.  

But first -- DO check with your doctor to make sure you don't have underlying health problems...........

Good luck and hope you'll let us know how you are doing.  

[kpoterjoy]

This is purely personal experience, but towards the end of college I experienced the same thing.  (Oh, wish those days back in some ways!)  My issues (which may or may not be applicable) were the following:

1) Acid reflux aggravated by stress
2) Developing allergies (common in your 20's) to lactose and shellfish, with a high sensitivity to fats

How might this help you?  Consider which foods exactly make you sick.  There's no way I could eat a cheeseburger, but there's a lot I can eat!  Also, switching to soy products instead of dairy made a world of difference for me.  Maybe you're not allergic to dairy, but gluton, or something else?  Just things to think about.