Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

no weight loss

I was diagnosed with chrons disease this past summer. The one thing that didn't seem to resemble any other symptom was weight loss. I never had considerable weight loss. Is this normal?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
203342 tn?1328737207
I never lost weight either. I was just diagnosed with Crohns in August and my surgeon was sure I didn't have it because I didn't have the normal symptoms of weight loss, blood in stool, vomiting, etc. I'm also not super skinny. In fact I could stand to lose some weight although I'm not obese.  I think I must have a mild case of Crohns. I did have some inflamation and ulcers and mild gastritis. I think they still don't know enough about Crohns and what really causes it, etc.
As to the poster who asked about other things to try than medication. I went to my local health food store and asked all kinds of questions and picked up a book called "The Gut Solution" which is really good. It gives natural remedies and foods to try and what to avoid. They recommend probiotics, flax and/or fish oil, a good multi-vitamin, and folic acid. We have to watch that we're getting enough B12 too since the only place in the body that produces B12 is in the terminal ileum (the small intestine near where it hooks up to the large intestine). I've also heard that food allergies can play a role with Crohns so I'm going to get tested. I do know that certain foods don't seem to agree with me. I really think our diet and life style plays a big role in our health. I'm trying to learn more and get more healthy. I wasn't always so kind to my body. I ate a lot of junk and didn't exercise. I also used to smoke but quite many years ago. They do say more smokers seem to have Crohns for some reason. Interestingly enough there seems to be a link with diabetes too. I guess because they're both auto immune diseases. I have a lot of diabetes in my family but I didn't get it. I'm really not sure why or how I got it. I may never know. I'm just trying to take the best care of myself as I can right now. I wish you all the best.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hello I have the same thing. And I was wondering the book you mentioned “ The gut solution “ who is the author. Thank you
Avatar universal
I have been diagnosed with chrones 3 years ago.  have been on several meds, had surgery with 12 inxhes of lower bowel removed.  meds are not working am looking ofr alternatives.  Am VERY frustrated, am also very heavy and have been for the past few years even though regular diarehia daily.  Any thought for me??
Helpful - 0
323165 tn?1207179231
I'm one of those people that lived with Crohn's but am obese.  Nobody thought I had crohn's because of my weight.  My daughter also has it and would lose weight really fast when she flared.  I had "d" for 30 years but always chalked it up to IBS and not Crohn's.  About 8 years ago it got much worse but still thought it was normal IBS.  Ended up in the hospital last year because of a fistula to my bladder that had to be fixed.  When the surgeon went in he found that I had crohns.  

From what I understand it depends on where your disease activity is.  If it is in the TI area you are more likely to lose weight not only because of pain but because you don't absorb nutrients.  That is why children who have CD can have growth failure.  All my disease activity was in my lower colon where moisture is absorbed.  That's why I had bad "d".
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i've had the same question since i was diagnosed 3 years ago. i weigh 195 & only lost 15 pounds before i got diagnosed, then put it back on & stayed the same. i once read that the weight loss is caused by not eating due to pain. that would explain it for me cause i always eat. could also be because i never had actual diarrhea. there was also another person who wrote a comment about gaining weight. so i think that yes, it's normal. will we ever lose weight? i don't know. hope this helps, take care
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis Community

Top Digestive Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem