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This probably sounds like a petty or enviable problem, but I really need to gain weight - 20 pounds at least. I’ve consulted with my doctor (MD, internist) and my IC with no tangible results thus far.

I’ve tried peppermint tea as an appetite stimulant which helps to some extent. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.

I am 5'8" and have been down to just over 100 pounds. I looked and felt awful so I feel your pain. What worked for me was a banana, yogurt and high calorie shake twice a day in addition to my regular meals. It took me over a year to gain 20 pounds and I couldn't look at a banana for about 3 years after but it did work.

Thanks gardenparty.

Care to share your high calorie shake recipe?

Well my first instinct was to say "Do what I do.. just follow me around and eat what I eat"

But to actually be helpful… my gramma is sick and losing weight rapidly. She's having some success with a high caloric type of Ensure. I would see about maybe adding that as well as your regular meals maybe?

3 bowls of ice cream a day actually prescribed by a doctor.

Eat the regular full strength items skip low fat.

Carbs but eat your vegetables.

Thanks for the laugh meta! I’ll look into the ensure; I’ve heard about it before.

And sorry to hear that your gran is ill.

Find a registered dietician. I don't know if your problem is related to an eating disorder, but there are RDs that specialize in this.

Ice cream. Cool!

And Sad in AZ, I don’t believe that I have an eating disorder. I consulted my IC for just this reason. However, I’ve recently done some research on anorexia which seems to be a much more complicated condition than I realized. I like your advice on seeing a registered dietician. Thanks.

Meta I was going to say the same thing!

My daughter is a peanut & she drinks pediasure on her doctor's advice - they also told me she could have Carnation Instant Breakfast to boost weight gain.

Thanks Jana.

I must need glasses because I initially read your post as Canadian Instant Breakfast.

Have a glass of wine each day. Easy calories.

Butter, ice cream, milk shakes with instant breakfast mixed in and whole milk.

Get some Joe Weider weight gain. It's body builder stuff. I used it in HS when I thought I was too scrawny and gained two sizes in a few months. I wish I never did that.

To be honest, the only luck I have ever had gaining weight was pregnancy and an older antidepressant called Remeron.

I have been able to gain about 20-30 lbs in 4-6 months twice in my life while on Remeron. It helped me sleep and stimulated my appetite. Apparently, being underweight is often caused by overproduction of dopamine. Do you have issues with anxiety?

You just have to watch what you eat while on it because it can cause some serious carb and sugar cravings.

It has saved my life twice!

You need to see a specialist on this if you have tried the obvious avenues and haven't gained weight.

If you have ruled out any and all possible diseases including things like Crohn's, UC, etc then the thing I have suggested to my patients is similar to then Ensure, many people don't care for it's taste. So what you do is you go to a vitamin store, like GNC, and you get yourself a protein powder, or shake mix that you make your own shakes at home with. Use the mix, and WHOLE Chocolate, Strawberry milk for. Of course you can add in fruits and berries if you like them.

Mix it up and use different flavors.

You also need to keep a food journal to make sure that you are eating enough, and getting the right things.

If you are not eating because you are not hungry, then you can get an old appetite stimulant, there is one used for cancer patients called megace, has little to no side effects, and makes you a bit hungrier, other options of course are AD's, or antianxiety meds.

Like Meta and Jana said, you could come live with me. I cook a lot and find great pleasure in making food that people can't resist. Of course that's why everyone in my house, minus DS are overweight.

A homemade smoothie that has a fair amount of calories, and is super yummy is Greek yogurt, 1cup, 1/2 of a banana and cup of berries, frozen or fresh. If you put in a scoop of protein powder then you really can boost up what you are getting. Throw in a handful of granola and you got about 600 calories right there.

I would GLADLY give you 20 of my pounds

When I was losing to much weight while pregnant with DD, the doctor was just going to put me on high calorie shakes - but thankfully it didnt get that far.

I think you have gotten great suggestions from the others above.

My son is underweight, which is kind of impressive considering I have seen him pack in half a large pizza in one sitting, I get him those kelloggs breakfast shakes. he also has the heavy protein bars but he usually only eats those after track. After a couple months of the shakes every morning the Doc said he was looking a lot better weight wise.

Thanks for all the great recommendations!

I’m definitely not getting enough calories; a lot of food just looks and smells unappealing to me. Cooking and eating used to give me such pleasure but now feel like chores.

Tushnurse, I like the sound of your homemade smoothies. I do need to keep a food journal. I bought a scale yesterday so I can keep track of the weight. If I can’t make some success soon I’ll definitely see a specialist.

I can’t wait to get back to my normal shape.

For me, just looking at food seems to do the trick.

Wish we could trade problems for a little while! At least until we both hit some form of "normal" (whatever that is.) Sigh.

[This message edited by osxgirl at 10:31 AM, April 25th (Friday)]

Any chance you are on meds? The reason I ask is I am on two different meds for my narcolepsy, and because of the meds I am so skinny. I am 5'1 and 100lbs which is technically normal, but people constantly make comments about my weight.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I gained 65lbs but lost it almost immediately without trying.

I agree that carnation instant breakfast is good as is ensure. Maybe even try going to a vitamin store and see what they have.

I'm coming at this from a non-medical perspective, so this might sound a little weightlifter-y! The standard advice given to athletes who need more calories but lack appetite is to switch to more calorie dense items, and nothing is denser in calories than fat.

Full fat everything -- milk, cheese, yogurt, salad dressing.

If that's unappealing, add liquid calories like a whey protein shake powder made with whole milk and a tablespoon or two of peanut butter.

I completely lost my appetite and my sweet tooth before I got on the AD's, and for a while there I practically subsisted on whey protein shakes and vegetables.