Loosing weight COPD

[Trevor6]

Hi has anyone else lost a lot of weight with ephasemi COPD thanks

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Yes Trevor I did, but they sent me to a dietitian and I slowly started to put the weight back on. He gave me a diet that hel pp Ed improve my weight. Hope this helps 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[CDPO16]

I have emphysema and have lost a lot of weight over the years. I struggle to keep my weight up and tend to lose 2 lbs for every one I put on. It may be worth asking for a referral to a dietitian for advice and possibly for dietary supplements.

[clematis5932 in reply to CDPO16]

Over the last 8 years i have lost a lot of weight, now down to 6stone 7lb. I also have Emphysema I have always eaten a healthy diet preferring chicken fresh vegetable's and fruit. I have seen a dietician a few times to help me to gain weight. The only thing i can recommend is to graze all day. When you get up in the morning make yourself a sandwich, put some cheese and biscuits on a plate, A couple of biscuits, apple pear etc. Pick at these during the day rather than eat a large meal which people who are underweight find hard to do. . Ask your GP. for Forti sip either fruit or smoothie type, drink these during the day ( I have three ) each of these are 345 calorie's I am told that due to my lung problems I burn off to many calories a day. I have to say that it very easy to tell others what to do, not so easy to actually do it. Good luck.

[CDPO16 in reply to clematis5932]

Maybe you meant this reply for Trevor?

[clematis5932 in reply to CDPO16]

Sorry yes I did.

[CDPO16 in reply to clematis5932]

Easy done, have done the same myself. Good suggestions though clematis.

[Biggles550]

I lost a lot of weight before i gave up smoking. I was coughing phlegm up a lot at the time , it was surprising how many calories coughing can use. Apart from giving up smoking the dietician advised to increase calorie intake , eat puddings with custard etc.

It did work but it was a bit of a chore stuffing that much food in.

what worked better for me was giving up smoking , which stopped the phlegm and therefore the coughing. sigh no more jam roly polly for me.

[1947Mags]

Hi Trevor I have managed to lose weight. It took a long time. But I did it. After about 2 1/2 years. Of constant. Bacterial infections. Which had colonised in my lungs. I had put on 2 1/2 stone. And was pre diabetic. This I blamed on the steroids. After a long time on. Antibiotics? I finally came off. The steroids. I lost my weight by counting every single calorie I put in my mouth. I kept meticulous count. Writing it all down. I relied on. Homemade vegetable soup. Which was my main stay I knew the calorie count of every single. Piece of bacon. or egg. or slice of bread. Right down to anything I spread on my bread. I used my calories. Like money. If I was allowed 2000 calories. I made sure that was all I had. It was a long journey. After I stop counting my calories. I did slowly put on harvest stone. But I am now quite content at the weight I am. So all I have to do is be careful. Good luck if you can't manage to lose weight, you will feel much better. Sorry, forgot to say. I have COPD and Bronchiectasis. Take care Mags

[1947Mags]

So sorry I miss read your question obviously you dont need to lose weight excuse me while I give myself another lecture about not paying attention my mind plays tricks on me I often get things wrong don't know if the shortness of breath has anything to do with it. Mags

[anng18]

Hi Trevor,

I have emphysema and yes, I have lost a lot of weight and was very slim to begin with.

I was referred to a dietician, but apart from telling me to have a lot of milky drinks and fattening snacks, found it a bit useless. To be fair, Covid started and I couldn't order stuff online.

It's a vicious circle, as we are told to exercise as much as is possible and then try and replace these calories! I'm also a vegetarian and have been since I was very young, so I believe that we are meant to reduce large quantities of veg., as they fill us up and don't have the calories in them. It's very difficult as I have high bad cholesterol, but love cheese, but have been told to eat anything I want!

Much to my horror, I've also shrunk - I'm an inch shorter than I was - at least it put up my BMI - I'm only 59!

[panda22]

3 years ago I weighed 8 st 8lb. I was in hospital with a TIA I July and my weight had gone down to 5st 5lb. I was told I had lost because of COPD/Emphysema. Nobody but me are concerned as I am badly underweight. Been told to eat more and lots of carbohydrates. Because of copd I find it hard to stand for long so rely on having meals delivered then eat toast.

[Trevor6]

Hello thanks for post yes I am small frame but just over 8st always been concerned about it had numerous tests all negative I have always thought it was connected to my COPD am now on a 3000 calorie per day full meals and protein whey shakes

[CDPO16 in reply to Trevor6]

We use at least 10 times more energy just breathing with chronic lung disease. You are doing well to maintain that amount of calorie intake and protein shakes. It will help a lot if you do go ahead with the LVRS.

[Cazaliza]

My mum was told to drink as many cans of fizzy drinks and biscuits and all the things you shouldn’t! She was also having fortisips and the shots with small meals. She would try to have full fat ice cream after meals as well.

[HollyBoyd]

Hi Trevor. Yes, I also lost a lot of weight about 4 years ago when I had a bad flare up, part of the disease process? I was under 8 stone and prescribed Ensure for a few months. I now eat cake, biscuits and chocolate, food I had never eaten before, always on a diet!! It has taken me over 3 years to gain half a stone but do feel okay with that. Try and build up your diet by grazing and have something substantial every couple of hours. Everyone's metabolism is different but hopefully in time you will gain enough to sustain you. Good luck 👍 xxx

[Higger]

I too became underweight, but was advised to avoid too much carbohydrate (especially sugar). The trick for me was to focus on plenty of lean protein, steamed vegetables, boiled spuds cheered up with healthy fats. That, for me, takes the form of Lurpak Spreadable which is a mix of butter and rapeseed oil. I usually cook enough for one big meal but split it so it covers the evening meal and lunch the following day. Afters is fruit - oranges & grapes. Breakfast is usually seeded bread (buttered) with poached egg and I don't hold back on the mayonnaise. I'm only 5 feet tall and,depending on need, can increase or decrease the calories with the amount of butter I use.

[Normc]

About 5 years ago I went down to 10st 7lb ( I am 6ft 1inch tall & the min weight for someone of my size I read is 11st 7lb. At the time I was having a lot of chest infections & my consultant told me it was because of the many infections. I had a medication change so fewer infections &within 6 months I was up to 11 st but couldn’t get it any higher. I don’t get weighed regularly. Number of infections is still down. About 4 months ago I got weighed & was glad to see I was up to 11st 7lb. Well after Christmas it’s up to 12 st so it’s time to be careful as previous experience tells me if it gets over this I get more breathless. I’m on the case. I am a life long asthmatic with Bronchiectasis since 2014. Hope this helps.Norm C