Appetite

[sky]

Hi,

I was wodering if anyone else has extreme fluctuations in appetite? I feel like i can be two completely diferent people with my eating - one where i can barely eat a thing and the other when i get so hungry i can't stop eating - even though it can make my gut worse. Since my MC got worse I've had a lot of blood sugar problems (I have reactive hypoglycaemia but not diabetes) and i think its related to this.

Basically, my diet is fully GF (I'm coeliac) and usually, to manage the hypoglycaemia i eat only low gi carbs, but when the weird appetite comes on all i want is refined carbs and sugar, like a mad person! stuff i never usually eat, and it's only when i've overdone it and feel run down physically. It's not a normal appetite - it feels like my body is starving and i'm searching for food! I've even had to get up in the middle of the night to eat! I'm not overweight, although my weight varies signifcantly it's mainly within the healthy range (can just start to get too low or high but not by much and always regulates again). I know all this may sound weird, I know I don't have an eating disorder, although i was worried i might be developing one it's so weird but i know it's not that as it's not at all in relation to stress/depression etc in that "I feel upset so try and eat to feel better" it's not that at all but stress can make me physically sicker, either normal MC stuff or this.

When i do get the hunger, it lasts anything from a few days to up to about 3wks and then almost overnight my appetite will swing the other way and my body will regulate itself again.
I'm probably sounding a bit mad now :) funnily enough I'm writing this when I'm feeling so nauseous i can barely eat as i'm having a flare! :) I've been expereincing this for about two or three years (had MC about 5 diagnosed) but the hunger only happens maybe every few months, it's certainly not there all the time.

Has ANYONE else ever experienced anything like this?

Thanks, Sky

[tex]

Hi Sky,

Welcome to the group. I'm guessing that you're not taking budesonide (budenofalk), but if you are, that drug can cause blood sugar excursions and it can also cause increased appetite.

Do you by any chance have thrush (a white tongue)? A digestive system overgrowth of Candida albicans can cause an insatiable urge for refined carbs or sweets. C. albicans thrives on sugars/carbs and it has the ability to influence our brain to make us crave refined carbs and sugar in order to supply it's needs. It sometimes becomes a problem with MC, in connection with the increased intestinal porosity (leaky gut) that's usually associated with MC.

Back when I was still reacting, whenever I had nausea, I ate very little (maybe a little soup), and then when I felt better, I would eat like a hog, because I was usually underweight. I gained weight whenever I could, because I knew that I would be glad I had it whenever the D part of the cycle took over and I started losing weight again. Obviously that's not the same type of phenomenon that you've described, though.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

[Polly]

Hi Sky and

Where in Oz do you live? One of our members here lives in Toowoomba (LOVE that name!).

My bet would be that your appetitie issues are related to your reactive hypoglycemia, as you suspect. Eating carbs causes the body to crave even more carbs - even in people without blood sugar problems. Your body probably experiences this craving for carbs to a greater degree. Are you able to continue eating low carb when the craving hits? I guess that would be ideal, if you can. I find that it requires more time and planning to have low carb foods readily available. Most of the convenience foods are high carb - you know, foods in bags, boxes, etc. It takes planning to have an extra chicken breast or hard-boiled egg on hand, for example.

Are you having your blood sugar issues followed regularly? The reason I ask is because the typical symptoms of diabetes include polyphagia (increased appetite). Also polydipsia (constant thirst/drinking) and polyuria (urinating more than usual).

I think many here lose their appetite during a flare. Very normal.

Hugs,

Polly

[DebE13]

I do and often. I wonder if that could be part of my problem. I love to eat and eat often. When I'm feeling on the ok end I like to eat all day long which seems to lead to not feeling well and not eating at all. I know it's an emotional tie to food that is hard to overcome but I have been making an effort not to over eat and limit between meal snacking. Although, snacking had become more difficult because I'm eating mostly meats and veggies so there really is no snacks to choose from except for limited fruits and nuts.

[Leah]

I have appetite flucuations, but not as severe as you have described. I always thought it was my hormones - which are going crazy these days. It's true though that over eating will usually lead to not feeling good and eating the WRONG foods could lead to a flare.

Hope you find your answer
Leah

[Sheila]

Interesting. I hadn't really thought much about my fluctuating appetite but I guess I should be. My appetite is smaller than it used to be and if I eat too much I don't feel well. I thought it was because of the modified paleo diet, heavy on meat and protein. I'd rather eat pasta, potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, and grilled sandwiches and I can't have them anymore. Meat isn't that appetizing in large quantities.

Polly has good suggestions, Sky. Wishing you well.

Sheila W

[jessica329]

My appetite is smaller than it used to be and if I eat too much I don't feel well.
Sheila W

I've noticed the same thing. I just try to listen to my body and eat when I'm hungry but also eat small meals throughout the day. I eat A LOT of rice these days....stays down well.