Weight loss and hair loss

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DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:42 am

I really hope that the Boost plus calories and adding the higher milk fat yogurt to my smoothies helps me to either gain a little weight or to not lose more weight. My family doctor said she didn't want me to lose more weight. That I need more calories and protein. I have liquids for lunch because it helps my constipation and with cramping.(smoothies, Boost or soups) I get full quickly and get bloated like I've had a big meal. I keep getting the chills. My family doctor ordered a bunch of blood tests. I'm waiting for the appointment slip in the mail. The hair loss is really bothering me too. I remember her mentioning about checking my tumor markers again. My last yearly CT scan last year and colonoscopy were clear. I hope we can figure out what's causing this weight loss. I just needed to vent about this. I am concerned.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

Gravelyguy
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:03 pm

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Gravelyguy » Thu Oct 29, 2020 1:22 pm

Sorry you are going through this. It is hard to get not only the calories but the right mix of vitamins and minerals when your plumbing isn’t working like it should.

I hope they can get to the bottom of it quickly.

Dave
6/17 dx mRC t3n1m1 very low rectal tumor 2 liver Mets 1.3 cm and .9 cm

6/17 begin 4 rounds Folfox w/Vectibix
9/17 short course radiation
10/17 rectal and liver resection LAR with coloanal anastomosis (no rectum left)
11/17-3/18 8 rounds Folfox
6/18 still NED!! Takedown
8/28/18 still NED! CEA .8 new low for me
10/18/18 colonoscopy clear
12/12/18 CEA .9 still NED!
6/11/19 CEA 1.0
12/19/19 CEA 1.0 still NED!
6/17/20 CEA 1.1 still NED!
12/15/20 CEA 1.1still NED!
12/16/21 CEA 1.2 still NED!

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:34 pm

Thank you Gravelyguy! Me too! I'm having horrible cramping, bloating which are how my ischemic colitis attacks start. They are caused when the blood supply to the bowel is cut off. I end up curled on the bathroom floor in the fetal position, dripping sweat, chills, temp can go up to 100.5F or higher, sometimes rectal bleeding, diarrhea, nausea(sometimes vomit bile or get dry heaves). I was only hospitalized the first time. I hope it calms down because I don't want to deal with it again.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Lee » Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:51 pm

DE

I am so sorry you are dealing with this type of issues, considering all that you when through with colon colon cancer. i hope ( & pray) the medicals professional can find a solution to your problems.

((((DE))))

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Fri Oct 30, 2020 12:13 am

Thank you so much Lee! :)
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Green Tea » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:17 am

Did you ever read Giulia Ender's book? Was it of any help?

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ

https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56460&p=446730#p446730

User avatar
beach sunrise
Posts: 1034
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby beach sunrise » Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:57 am

Hi DE, I hate that you are going thru such a terrible ordeal. I remember my surgeon saying prebiotics are important with IBS and colitis. You probably already know this but info for just in case.
I hope you and your dr get it worked out soon.
For hair loss I am trying BioSil right now. We'll see.
I'll be thinking about you.
8/19 RC CEA 82.6 T3N0M0
5FU/rad 6 wk
IVC 75g 1 1/2 wks before surgery. Continue 2x a week
Surg 1/20 -margins T4bN1a IIIC G2 MSI- 1/20 LN+ LVI+ PNI-
pre cea 24 post 5.9
FOLFOX
7 rds 6-10 CEA 11.4 No more
CEA
7/20 11.1 8.8
8/20 7.8
9/20 8.8, 9, 8.6
10/20 8.1
11/20 8s
12/20 8s-9s
ADAPT++++ chrono
CEA
10/23/22 26.x
12/23/22 22.x
2023
1/5 17.1
1/20 15.9
3/30 14.9
6/12 13.3
8/1 2.1
Nodule RML SUV 1.3 5mm
Rolles 3 of 4 lung nodules cancer
KRAS
Chem-sens test failed Not enough ca cells to test

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:11 am

No, I have never read that book. Thank you Green Tea. :) I tried probiotics but they caused too much cramping and pain. There are certain prebiotics I can eat such as oatmeal and applesauce. Thank you beach sunrise! :) I hope that BiosII helps your hair loss.*hugs* Please let me know if it helps you. :) I hope I do as well. I think it could be related to my thyroid. I have been on synthroid for hypothyroidism for years. I have a 1cm(the last time if was checked) on my thyroid. It's going to be checked again in April 2021. I wish it were sooner.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

User avatar
beach sunrise
Posts: 1034
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby beach sunrise » Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:22 am

My surgeon has a study lab for GI health and he said prebiotics are more important than probiotics. Its good you are getting prebiotics.
I didn't connect hair loss with my thyroid problem. HMMM! Thank you for pointing that out.
8/19 RC CEA 82.6 T3N0M0
5FU/rad 6 wk
IVC 75g 1 1/2 wks before surgery. Continue 2x a week
Surg 1/20 -margins T4bN1a IIIC G2 MSI- 1/20 LN+ LVI+ PNI-
pre cea 24 post 5.9
FOLFOX
7 rds 6-10 CEA 11.4 No more
CEA
7/20 11.1 8.8
8/20 7.8
9/20 8.8, 9, 8.6
10/20 8.1
11/20 8s
12/20 8s-9s
ADAPT++++ chrono
CEA
10/23/22 26.x
12/23/22 22.x
2023
1/5 17.1
1/20 15.9
3/30 14.9
6/12 13.3
8/1 2.1
Nodule RML SUV 1.3 5mm
Rolles 3 of 4 lung nodules cancer
KRAS
Chem-sens test failed Not enough ca cells to test

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:54 pm

I have hyperparathyroidism which can also cause hair loss and weight loss. My stomach is bad again tonight. I took a buscopan. I hope it helps.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Lee » Fri Oct 30, 2020 7:15 pm

(((DE)))

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Green Tea » Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:40 pm

Have you read this article?

https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/food-and-nutrition-articles/ischemic-colitis-diet-foods-to-eat-and-avoid/

How does your current diet compare to the recommended one?

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:12 pm

Thank you Green Tea, that is very helpful. :)
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

User avatar
Green Tea
Posts: 451
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:48 am

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby Green Tea » Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:48 am

DarknessEmbraced -
Do you have any recent updates on the status of your various chronic health issues?

Will you be able to see a doctor soon? Family doctor? Gastroenterologist? Endocrinologist? Pulmonologist? Allergist/Immunologist?

It seems to me that it would be a good idea to get some expert dietary advice before the winter arrives in full force, especially if your goal is to gain some weight.

It turns out that here is some evidence that certain food intolerance issues can be attributed to food-drug interactions, i.e., interactions between some of the meds you are already taking and some of the foods that you would like to eat.

What do you think?

Eventually it may be necessary to have your doctor look through all of the drugs in your List of Medications and check them against the foods in your food log to see if there are any incompatibilities.

  1. LIST OF MEDICATIONS
    DarknessEmbraced wrote:... All of my doctors are aware of all of my medications....

      Aspirin - (acetylsalicylic acid)
      Benadryl - (diphenhydramine)
      Buscopan - (hyoscine butylbromide)
      Colace - (ducosate sodium)
      Decadron - (dexamethazone)
      Deltasone - (prednisone)
      Dicetel - (pinaverium bromide)
      Dilaudid - (hydromorphone)
      Epi-pen - (epinephrine)
      Fosamax - (alendronate)
      Gas-x - (simethicone)
      Gastrografin - (diatrizoate sodium)
      Imodium - (loperamide)
      Lax-a-day - (polyethlyene glycol 3350)
      Metamucil - (psyllium)
      Metoclopramide - (metoclopramide hydrochloride)
      Nebuliz - (hypertonic saline)
      Pulmicort Flexhaler - (budesonide)
      Reactine - (ceterizine dihydrochloride)
      Singualir - (montelukast sodium)
      Symbicort - (budesonide and formoterol)
      Synthroid - (levothyroxine)
      Tiazac (diltiazem)
      Tylenol - (acetaminophen)
      Veramyst - corticosteroid nasal spray
      Zantac - (rantidine)
      Zofran - (ondansetron hydrochloride)
      Zithromax - (azithromycin)
  2. LIST OF FOODS AND BEVERAGES
    DarknessEmbraced wrote:... I keep a food diary to keep track of what I eat, my digestive symptoms and the medications I take for those symptoms. I eat less fiber when I have diarrhea...


    DarknessEmbraced wrote: ... I can no longer eat: broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lentils, eggs, salmon, popcorn, ice cream, spicy foods and seeds since my surgery because they cause severe diarrhea and severe cramping. I'm pescatarian, which means I eat fish and seafood but no meat. I get anaphylaxis from tree nuts, strawberries and peppers so I have to avoid those foods. My diet is restrictive...


    DarknessEmbraced wrote:... I have drinkable tomato soup, some fruit juice, water and hot chocolate... I eat fish and seafood but no other meat...


    DarknessEmbraced wrote:...I was ok with soup this morning ... I only drink frappucinos at Starbucks when it comes to coffee...


    DarknessEmbraced wrote:... I eat a lot of sandwiches and soup. Sometimes I eat vegetarian or cheese pizza. I find I have to be careful not to eat too much greasy food or really spicy food.


    DarknessEmbraced wrote:I eat tuna or veggie salami/bologna sandwiches, macaroni and cheese microwave cups with tuna, sometimes breaded fish with veggies or potato wedges, crackers, veggie chips, regular chips, yogurt, mini cheese pizzas...


    DarknessEmbraced wrote:I might not be getting enough protein. I don't eat most meat. I eat fish and seafood, beans, lentils, etc...

    .
  3. DRUG-DRUG-FOOD INTERACTION CHECKER
Last edited by Green Tea on Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Weight loss and hair loss

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Sat Nov 07, 2020 7:54 pm

Thank you Green Tea, that is very helpful. My blood work at the hospital isn't until the 27th. My tests require 12 hour fasting. I only have telephone appointments with my doctors due to covid. I'm still waiting for the endocrinologist to talk to his colleagues. I last talked to him On October 27th. There was Thanksgiving here in October and he was on vacation. The closest allergist is 30 minutes away. Taxis are too expensive so I don't see him any longer. There are no local immunologists. I talk to my pulmonologist once a year. I talked to him last week. I last talked to my gastroenterologist a couple of months back. I can no longer eat: broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lentils, eggs, salmon, popcorn, ice cream, spicy foods and seeds since my surgery because they cause severe diarrhea and severe cramping. I'm pescatarian, which means I eat fish and seafood but no meat. I get anaphylaxis from tree nuts, strawberries and peppers so I have to avoid those foods. My diet is restrictive. The sweating is really getting to me because it makes it difficult to feel comfortable especially when I go outside or when I go to bed. It usually takes 7 to 10 days for blood test results to be back. I hope that my doctor put a rush on the results so we will know them sooner. I do take a lot of medications but as far as I know on Tiazac(my main blood pressure medication) requires me to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. I will look over your links.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)


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