Starvation Mode and Being Sick

Tandksmommy11

Without starting a debate on the 'starvation mode' stuff, I have an honest question and am coming to you for some advice.

I was dealing with stomach pain on Friday and Saturday, so I had no appetite whatsoever (yes, I am under the care of a medical doctor so I'm trying to find out what's going on so I can get back to normal). Saturday evening and all of the day Sunday- I was very ill (not stomach related) and diagnosed with Lyme Disease in the ER.

I still don't have much of an appetite which may be because of the stomach problem, or the Lyme Disease. At this point, we don't know--but I'm hoping for some answers tomorrow at the doc. Either way- I'm not hungry, at times I vomit my meds back up (way to strong for my problematic stomach to handle even with eating), or I'm just not feeling well enough to eat.

How long does a typical person have before they go into starvation mode? I'm petrified of undoing all the work I've done to lose just 17lbs. I'm 5'5 and 199lbs so there's plenty of weight to go, but I dont want to gain it back because I can't eat properly right now. Today- I haven't even made it to 500 calories yet (vomited this morning so that killed breakfast) and I just don't feel like I can eat another bite.

What foods are some of the highest yet healthiest for me? I need something that's going to be small, as easy on the stomach as possible and pack a punch as far as calories to keep me from starvation mode.

kkmbear

Try Ensure or Boost drinks to help. I used to get Boost for my son when he couldn't eat much.

Tandksmommy11

Try Ensure or Boost drinks to help. I used to get Boost for my son when he couldn't eat much.

Are they milk based? I'm lactose intolerant so I can't drink milk and I'm almost afraid to add one more 'medication' or pill to my cocktail in my stomach.

allybtucker

They make some non dairy meal replacement drinks. We have a local pharmacy that has a nutritionist on staff that is familiar with all the various meal replacement drinks, if you have a resource like that in your area, perhaps you could give them a call. There's also the powdered mixes they have at the GNC type stores. There are definitely soy and rice powders with lots of sugar and calories in them, no dairy. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

djthom

My stomach's been sick the last two days also, so I'm sitting here eating peanutbutter and crackers to get some of my calories in. You could try that. Hope you feel better.

Kristin9902

Definately check with your doctor or pharmacy to find out non-dairy things you can take. I went through being sick for a couple months and not being able to eat. I didnt undo the weight loss, but still didnt feel good. Hope you start feeling better soon. Keep your head up.

bpayne78

I would think that getting better should be your highest priority BUT I don't think that being sick will hamper your loss. I had the exact opposite happen....I have an auto-immune disorder (diagnosed 7/2010) and I was given steroids late summer/early fall 2010 and I am just now getting back to where I was at the beginning of the summer last year. Meds can have their own effect on weight and weight loss which is why I said focus on getting well first. It's taken me three months to lose 8 lbs, not to scare you, but I'm trying to be realistic. I urge you to focus on your health and everything else will fall into place in it's own time. Eat as healthy as possible and as often as possible and I think you'll be fine.

Good luck and well wishes!

cmriverside

There isn't a magical time frame, like "6 days" or "three weeks" when it comes to famine response. It is a long process, whereby your body makes slow changes to cope with a lack of incoming nutrients, slowing your metabolism in increments.

No one can give you a timetable. Just focus on getting past this health crisis. You could request food supplement ideas from your health care provider. Please focus on the bigger picture right now. Lyme disease is going to take its toll, both physically and emotionally. Weight loss should be secondary; since you are not so obese that it is going to be life threatening, and you have enough fat stores that you can go a while on a very low calorie intake.


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mynameisuntz

I would just do a protein sparing modified fast for muscle sparing effects and heightened fat loss if your appetite has diminished.

Tandksmommy11

My stomach's been sick the last two days also, so I'm sitting here eating peanutbutter and crackers to get some of my calories in. You could try that. Hope you feel better.

Strangely, the thought and smell of peanut butter makes me want to puke right now. I normally love it, but lately it's just YUCK! (And yes, I'm positive I'm not pregnant..haha).

Tandksmommy11

I would think that getting better should be your highest priority BUT I don't think that being sick will hamper your loss. I had the exact opposite happen....I have an auto-immune disorder (diagnosed 7/2010) and I was given steroids late summer/early fall 2010 and I am just now getting back to where I was at the beginning of the summer last year. Meds can have their own effect on weight and weight loss which is why I said focus on getting well first. It's taken me three months to lose 8 lbs, not to scare you, but I'm trying to be realistic. I urge you to focus on your health and everything else will fall into place in it's own time. Eat as healthy as possible and as often as possible and I think you'll be fine.

Good luck and well wishes!

Getting well is my priority, but I'm trying to make sure I don't gain extra weight and end up wtih more problems in the long term. The stomach issue is something I'm going to have to live with for awhile, so I can't just let myself 'go' for to long. Good news is that my cholesterol is really good, as well as most of my other panel results. Triglycerides are slightly elevated which could be what the problem is.