33% body weight loss

[ex87eme]

Hi, about 10 years ago I started feeling nauseaed all the time.  I went to different doctors and they all said there was nothing wrong with me.  I eventually found out I had an ulcer, as well as a slight hiatal hernia.  They did all kinds of blood work, had an endoscopy done to look at the inside of my stomach, recently had more blood work and a stool culture done.  Everything has came back fine.  When this all started 10 years ago, I was 17, my weight bounced between 210 and 215.  Within the first year I lost most of the weight, and after about two years my weight fell all the way down to 135.  I am a 27 yr. old male, who is 6'1.  

After about two years the nausea slowly went away, the ulcer healed, and the hernia doesn't bother me.  The problem is I can not gain any weight.  My appetite is completely gone, I can only eat very little since I feel full quickly.  I think this is due to not really eating anything those first two years, maybe my stomach shrank or something.  Alot of people laugh when I tell them I can't gain weight because they do not look at this as a problem.  They just simply tell me, including doctors, "just eat more".  That is the hard part, I can't.  I've kept logs of how much I eat in a day and I usually get anywhere from 1500 to 2200 calories a day.  The high end of the calorie intake I am completely stuffed, and feel sick from eating too much.  

I am unable to eat alot of sugar, not sure why, but if I have too much I'm in the bathroom all day.  I have looked into drinking boost/ensure, etc. but it usually messes up my stomach as well.  I also was going to start drinking those weight gainer powders from GNC, like the one that gives 2000 calories, but the sugar content of that is way too high as well.  Are there any other supplimental drinks that do not use alot of sugar or sugar substitutes that is high in calories?  Is there anythign that can increase my appetite and the amount of food I can eat?  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[Renee Radenberg]

From what you have stated I would suggest consuming 6 small meals a day (basically eat all day long) due to you are unable to tolerate larger amounts of food. Since you cannot tolerate sugar then stay away from it. Eat foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates (if you can tolerate) - breads, cereals, pasta, and rice. You have been inventive in adding calories to your food, which is great. Another additive to food is dry milk (addition to regular milk) for protein, and extra calories. It can be added to soups, mashed potatoes, sauces, cereals, and baked goods, etc. It has low sugar so you may be able to tolerate it. Best of luck.

[ex87eme]

By the way, I try to eat alot of peanut butter for some added calories, and protein.  I add lots of butter to lots of foods for added calories, I add cheese to lots of foods for the added calories as well.  I try to add different things to the foods I eat, like olive oil, for the added calories.  I do not think I am really lactose intolerant since I am able to eat cheese, which I eat a lot of it.  I also eat a lot of breads and other carbs without any issues.  I usually eat on average, atleast 8 slices of bread a day.  I also went to a community college for dietary management, hoping that I could learn how to gain weight, and to help advance my career.  So I have a decent understanding of how to gain weight, and how to eat healthy, I just can't eat enough, and I don't have an appetite either.  Also, I can eat some sugars, just not alot.  I can usually have about two cans of pop and a candy bar a day and not get diarhea.