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I just recently was in the hospital again with another Crohns flare and I've been on Prednisone for over a month now.  My GI doctor has tapered me down from 80 mg to 5 mg a day for one week and then stop (over the past month).  In the past 2 years ive lost 50 lbs and now I have gained it all back plus 15.  I gained the 15-20 lbs in the 4 days that i was hospitalized.  My appetite has been unruly, my face is swollen and so are my ankles. My face is also breaking out. Ive never had skin issues in my life not even as a teenager.  This is very frustrating to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to lose the weight in a safe manner?  I went and purchased Quick Trim Burn and Cleanse and was thinking that may jump start my metabolism.  I work out at the gym for 2 hours 3 times a week and eat reasonabley healthy but the pounds just keep adding up.  Please help me.  Its been a roller coaster ride as it is dealing with disease and I am stressing out and as we all know STRESS is the last thing we all need.

All suggestions are welcomed. 

Thanks
~Maria

 Reply posted for maria4981.

Hey I just wanted you to know I completely understand what you are going through!  I went through the same situation a couple of years ago.  (I too have Crohn's).  Prednisone is sometimes a necessary evil!  After losing 30lbs in 3 weeks due to a Crohn's flare I was put on a high dose of prednisone.  I was hungry all of the time and my face and ankles blew up too.  I'm glad you went to your family doctor because that can be a sign of another problem.  I am luckily starting to get back down to a normal weight Ugghhh drugs!!! I have been taking probiotics and eating organic food and have been feeling great.  I have also lost about 6 pounds which (unfortunately I wish it would come off faster) is a healthy weight loss.  Sorry to give you all of this background information lol.  I read the book Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels.  Now I know you're thinking why would someone with Crohn's read that book and it's probably all about exercise.  That's what I thought but it's actually not about exercise although she does tell you exercise is important.  It talks about how bad all of these processed foods are for you and what the different additives and chemicals can do to your body!  It is really scary that these chemicals are even allowed in our food.  Organic food is expensive but I haven't felt this good in years! I have been able to save money by going to farmer's markets.  Plus you end up feeling better.  Please let me know if you have any questions and good luck!  I hope you start feeling better :)  Feel free to e-mail me at meggs313@hotmail.com  Just put Crohn's-losing weight in the subject.

 Reply posted for Alchemy1.

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions.  I went to my family doctor last monday and spoke with her regarding my weight gain and how I am always tired even after a full nights sleep.  She has ordered blood work for me including checking my thyroid.  So i will find out in a few weeks if that has anything to do with it.

As for my Chrohns, I took my last 5mg Prednisone on Sunday (2/12) and so far, so good.  Last night I didnt have much of an appetite and started to have a little cramping so I took Bentyl and fell asleep.  This morning everything seems back to "normal" so hopefully it was just a fluke.  

I will keep posting.  I really appreciate the support from people who know what Im going through.  My family and friends "try" but they honestly have no clue and tell me that its all in my head and what i eat.

Thanks again for everything
~Maria

 Reply posted for maria4981.

Try reducing carbohydrates and adding MCT oils like coconut oil and plenty of butter to your diet. The scd diet (and no refined oils) made a dramatic difference to my weight and overall health. I agree with Alchemy, slimming products are not a good idea. Lots of bone broth and thick soups to promote healing together with plenty of good fats from animal sources. It really works (and I rarely feel hungry).

 Reply posted for maria4981.

Hopefully, your weight will start to go down after you are off the Prednisone for a while. It's good that you are exercising and trying to eat in a healthy manner. You can try drinking at least 3 cups of green tea (preferably the iced tea version)  Green tea is supposed to speed up metabolism. You can try Weight Watchers Diet. There are other diets out there that may work for you but it depends on which foods you can and cannot tolerate. Try to make only gradual changes in your diet because you are trying to get better. You don't want to flare up again. I hope this helps.

 Reply posted for maria4981.

The last thing you need to do is start using weight loss or cleansing products!!!  you've been through *** , and you're still in rebound from your recent health crisis.  don't do anything drastic right now.  you need time to recover and for your body to "nomalize".  well, at least what we consider normal..lol!!!  i can't say enough about the role of yoga in my life.  i know it may sound strange, but the gentle, relaxing excercises are absolutely incredible!  it relieves stress, while giving you a complet and total body workout.  i deal with a lot more than my colitis...and have found that yoga helps everything!!!  don't worry about body shape, weight , or apperance.  you can take a class, or i can recommend wonderful book for you!!!

god bless you during this difficult time...