Hunger and weight gain

[pioneer II]

Hi all! 

Not long ago I posted about my partner's recovery from CD4=3 here:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=50088

Now I'd like to post an update about it: things have not changed for both of us regarding recovery and excellent health. But...

Since I started my meds last August (kaletra and combivir), I gained a lot of weight and I do not know what to do. I am always afraid of eating less and have a fall in CD4, since my health is perfect and CD4=570. People keep telling me to eat less but I guess my weight gain has more to do with bowel constipation. Sometimes it goes 4 days without evacuating. I feel bloated and my hole body is getting bigger. I started to work out much more intensely, went from 1 hour daily joggin to 2,5 hours, with no weight loss. I still fell so much hungry, like I was 18 y.o.!

I've been fat all my life before hiv. In the first 2 years of infection, I wasted almost all and was in great shape. Now I am as fat as I was before. Would it be my body's "normal" shape?

So confusing... I hope someone could help out with this.

[mikeyb39]

I believe in a full enema at least once a week.  Just warm water enema, it does wonders for me.  I never feel bloated and if I do, I take care of it.  Been doing it for years.

[J.R.E.]

I've been fat all my life before hiv. In the first 2 years of infection, I wasted almost all and was in great shape. Now I am as fat as I was before. Would it be my body's "normal" shape?

So confusing... I hope someone could help out with this.

Hi Pioneer,...

First of all "Wasting Away "  Is not healthy, and it certainly isn't being in "Great shape" by any means, especially as a result of HIV infection.

After I wasted away from approx 175 pounds to 145 pounds, I looked liked crap. I also gained all of it back again plus some.  My weight has been as much as 182pounds @ 5 feet 7 inches.

My advice to you is to talk to your doctor and see if he can recommend a nutritionist for you. He may have other patients that he makes referrals to, to help with weight issues.

A good nutritionist, will tell you what foods to eat and what to avoid. A nutritionist, who understands the issues of those of us living with HIV, can help you a lot, but you also need to follow through with a plan.  Also exercise is very important. And not just one day a week !

The VA currently enrolled me in the " Move program".  Not quite sure what this is all about, but I will find out more next week when I have my first appointment.

You may find some tips in the following link:

http://www.move.va.gov/

I am sure there are other programs similar to the above, that you can check out.

If you haven't mentioned these issues of constipation to your doctor, you need to make it a point to do so.

Of the two doctors I've had over these past ten years, on each visit, they have always asked me if I have any issues with Constipation or Diarrhea. It never fail that these questions are asked. Fortunately, I never had issues with either. Four days without a bowel movement is too much !

By the way,  after I wasted away 35 pounds, and within days of starting medication, I couldn't get enough to eat. I was also hungry all the time. I was shoveling the food down ! 

I have also changed quite a few things in my habits as far as eating, but there is still more that I can do, exercising more is one of them. I am also 62 years young, and I also know my metabolism has changed.


Talk to your doctor about the constipation issues, you may need to be referred to a specialist, to male sure nothing else is going on.

I promised my primary care, that when I see her again in June, that I would be less than 170 pounds. We'll see how that works out.      Funny thing is, since I quit working the graveyard shift, I managed to drop about six pounds in 27 days. No more of those big meals, and then sitting on my ass for the next seven hours.

Where are you located?  Is there any way you can get a med change, and possibly get off the AZT ?


Perhaps talk to you doctor about a med change.

Expand, and read all these pages from the following lesson:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/BodyChanges_4793.shtml

 


Take care and good luck---Ray ( let us know what the doctor says about the constipation issues)



 

[eric48]

Hi,

In you case there is certainly a back to health effect.

That being said, I have been very careful about diet/exercise, etc. Nonetheless either depression or meds (including depression meds) made me more hungry and I could not help (which is... depressing...) So after 2 1/2 years under meds without any significant change, I took 25 pouds in 6 months: trouble

So its a mix back of genetics/medication/etc.

All those docs will tell you that if you eat more to put more. Yeah...
Well... I have a family and we have same activites, same meals, same quantities and I am the one putting on their pounds

Don't be desesparate about it though: the best way to loose weight is to loose it little by little

@Ray: congrats for great numbers and retirement. I read the thread in the other forum but not LTS, so not at liberty to post there. That was good to read, though

Hope this helps

Eric

[mecch]

Hi all! 

Not long ago I posted about my partner's recovery from CD4=3 here:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=50088

Now I'd like to post an update about it: things have not changed for both of us regarding recovery and excellent health. But...

Since I started my meds last August (kaletra and combivir), I gained a lot of weight and I do not know what to do. I am always afraid of eating less and have a fall in CD4, since my health is perfect and CD4=570. People keep telling me to eat less but I guess my weight gain has more to do with bowel constipation. Sometimes it goes 4 days without evacuating. I feel bloated and my hole body is getting bigger. I started to work out much more intensely, went from 1 hour daily joggin to 2,5 hours, with no weight loss. I still fell so much hungry, like I was 18 y.o.!

I've been fat all my life before hiv. In the first 2 years of infection, I wasted almost all and was in great shape. Now I am as fat as I was before. Would it be my body's "normal" shape?

So confusing... I hope someone could help out with this.

As others have pointed out already, I want to be sure to repeat.  WASTING AWAY because of an active raging HIV infection, is not "great shape"!!!!

What exactly is your height and weight now, please?  Has anyone called you fat or is this your personal impression.

There is no way daily jogging 2.5 hours is healthy for ANYONE.  Something is wrong here.  How do you even have time to do that, by the way.   Even runners in championship training rarely run that amount of time, daily....

4 days between passing stools - something is wrong here too.  I suggest you see a nutritionist or at the very least your doctor and figure out whats going on. 

When you say you were "fat" before HIV infection, was this your own impression, or did people including a doctor ever objectively consider you quite overweight???

[ShadesOfGrey80]

4 days of constipation sounds like a lot... Despite hunger, one should always watch their food intake. Especially the type of food and when and the amount you eat. Small meals but more frequently.

A lot of the websites have good diet recommendations for HIV+ people or even any other people. Basically it's good to eat healthy lean proteins, low fat, low carb, low sugar, high fibre... Mix your lean meats with a mix of veggies and carbs and fruits + healthy fats (nuts etc).

Combine that with a sufficient yogurt to provide good enzymes it should help keep your bowel movements regular! I would suggest even using fibre supplements to help the flow of things. And mix it up with some consistent exercise and I have never felt better!