Poor appetite

Shastus

Hi all my appetite is very poor to none eating very little, I wish I could get my appetite back as anyone got any tips on how to build my appetite back up. A few things you should know first tho. I have Crohns 48yrs now, had a few resection surgeries I now only have 4ft of small bowel left no colon with Ileostomy, I have dehydration problems too with chronic kidney disease, I’m on low fibre diet for rest of my life.

rebel11

I echo Woodbine, speak to your GP, ask them to prescribe 'nutritional drinks', build yourself up gradually. 

rebel11

The key is to get vitamins and minerals into your body. That is only going to happen with a nutritional drink.

Cher_Alumni

Hello @Shastus

Just to echo what others have said, please speak about this with your gastro team and specialist IBD nurse if you have one. There are supplements they can prescribe, if they deem them appropriate, for you to get the nutritional intake you need and slowly build your energy up. I have Crohn's too and was on a liquid diet for a while, and quite enjoyed the taste! 

Please don't struggle alone with this. Try ringing your IBD nurse helpline or your consultant's secretary to see what can be done 

Wishing you luck. Take care and keep us posted on how you're feeling. 

rubin16

I have crohn's disease too, and had most of my bowel removed and have an ileostomy. Food is always a battle. I have some days where I can eat what I like and then theres others where I struggle to eat a single sandwich, I get hungry but theres just some days where I can't face food.

Like others have said if things are getting really bad with not eating, then I would suggest some fortisip drinks that you can get prescribed. I have been on and off them for years and they have different flavours and have all your nutrients, minerals and calories to keep you going. I lived on a pure liquid diet once for like a year and had only those drinks.

rebel11

Just posting this for Crohn's in general - 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/crohns-disease-treatment-management/gut-soothing-foods/

They look awesome. 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Shastus

I echo the advice to speak to your IBD nurse and/or Stoma Nurse. I also have IBD and an Ileostomy. There are a few things I can suggest with diet and dehydration. Can I ask how long it has been since you had your stoma surgery?

Non fizzy energy drinks, like Lucozade are very popular, you can also purchase hydration sachet drinks like Diroalyte, but double check with your specialist because of your kidneys.
When I came out of hospital, I lived on orange lucozade, quavers, marshmallows and bread for a few weeks. Marshmallows and jelly babies are actually a great way to thicken output. It takes a while to build not only your appetite back up but to then learn how to manage the output. Jacket potatoes (without the skin) are a good source of carbs and chicken and turkey are great ways to get protein in the diet as well as being filling!