Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group WEIGHT LOSS

Hi Guys and Gals here's a question iv'e had AS for over 20 years since Dxed. I have a real problem with appetite and of course weight loss. I can go all day with nothing but a bowl of cereal or two slices of toast. Believe me when i say this because the next day same thing, food just doesn't appeal to me, the doctors put me on 3 cans of Ensure aday and i don't even feel like that. Last time this happened i went from 160 to 126 before it turned around.
Has anyone else had problems eating.

RICK

This probably won't help you, but, my sister and I were both dx'd this year with AS. Between the two of us, we're toting at least one extra person. All info we found gave weight loss as one of the symptoms of AS, and we are in line waiting.

Seriously, it has been mentioned here before, and I'm sure they will come through for you. If I could figure out how to send it to you, would you be interested in about 75 pounds?

Cindy

Hi Rick,

I personally don't have any trouble gaining weight, but I do believe that OldGeorge is at least one other on here who is in the same boat as you are. Tony is another who, if my memory serves me correctly, may be sitting in that boat too. I'm sure there's several others too.

Cheers,
Steph

Old George and I have dicussed this previously. ALthough people think it amusing keeping weight on is a problem. I think my AS requires such an output of energy to perform almost any task that I burn food like an incinerator. People have watched me eat pre-NSD and thought I must have a tapeworm.
Here's an oddity I have found I now eat less on the NSD and am maintaining or gaining incremental weight. I do have my olives with me at all times and am a three candy bar a day junkee along with my meats and leafy greens. A glass of vino or two beers before bed kills pain and is a better diet supplement than Ensure. Honestly though an added plus of NSD has been easier weight maintenance. I am now a hulking mass of 137 lbs. . WHich is a load considering in college when I was working out with weights and stood 6 feet tall I peaked at about 135 and pent most of my thirties in the low 120's.


stevec-they also serve who stand and wait

Rick,
Yes me too. I have no desire to eat . My husband gets so upset but ,I only eat little bites at a time.I weigh 102 size2 (skeleton)and am 5 ft 1 inch. I was 5'3 size 7-8 before I became the "Leaning tower of Yoly" I also notice I have this Jaundice colored thing going on. I am hispanic and always had olive tan skin. Without make up I look like walking death, like I just woke up from a dirt nap. LOL !!!! I tried ensure, it gives me the runs.
Be well, Yoly

Hey Rick,
I was 112 lbs before my AS diagnosis, then I was put on prednisone and blew up like a balloon, but still don't eat very much. With all the stomach problems I have been having, and now eating even less, I still don't seem to be dropping the weight. Maybe it's because when I do dare to eat anything I make sure it's something worth while that will be worth the pain, so I go with ice cream (strawberry)
Maybe you need to do the ice cream thing with a side order of vitamins. That just may keep the weight on and taste alot better than cereal.
You do have to try and eat even if you don't have an appetite.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Take Care,
Lisa

My husband's appetite is way down too, but it seems to go in cycles. He's always had such a slow metabolism that he loses weight very slowly but he is dropping it. I like Steve's idea, a few beers beats the heck outta that Ensure stuff!

Leaning tower of Yoly? I just had to respond to that! You have a great sense of humor!

Take care and huggggs,

Lisa

I have had three rounds of prednsone, sorry for the speeling it is very late!, and I have had my appetite increase while on it. I am now trying to lose some of the weight gain as I know that it is not good for a person with AS.

Take care and huggggs,

Lisa

PS I am with Cindy! I wish I could send you some of my weight!

Hey Rick , The problem i had with eating was swallowing ! My problem was acid reflux from NSAID's had closed up my esopagus(sic?) well you know where the food goes down to the stomach. I had a day surgery thing where they open it back up and my appetite returned I didn't feel full after a small meal. It has been almost 2 years and I can still swallow alright , I put up with the swallowing problem for afew years because i thougt it was AS related with my neck being bent. One thing about Ensure , YUUUK! My wife tried to start me on that stuff I started acting like I felt better just to avoid the Ensure! Talk Later.

Bruce