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I started dropping weight right after DD1 and at first it was welcome. Now, after DD 3, I am too thin.. i have gone from size 10 to size 2. Lost 35 lbs. I have no breasts left. my doctor told me not to lose any more weight but honestly, i have to force myself to eat. Most of the time, i sorta feel sick to my stomach. I've beem eating protein bars and I'll have a handful of nuts now and then. i ate a banana last night. i made a kale smoothie with protein powder and yogurt yesterday but I could only drink about half of it. Anybody know natural ways to stimulate appetite?

well........there is an obvious answer here, but you may not appreciate it. however, as one who understands your issue exactly, and who has faced it through kidney illnesses, this whole infidelity thing and other life stresses, i have to be careful or i'll "disappear."

i smoke pot and it helps me eat. plain and simple. without it in those times, i cannot stop dropping weight. when i'm struggling, i eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs, protein drinks and bars. also anything that seems appetizing, even if it only lasts a bite. protein drinks are easier for me than bars when my stomach feels like a dime. it's hard because i often feel nauseous for some time after i eat.

good luck. i feel ya, i really do. i'm still struggling to stay at the bottom end of what i feel is acceptable...before the gauntness takes over. 123-125 is as low as my 5'9" self can carry without getting lots of concerned comments. well, i still get some, but others also think i look great, so i'm on my "fence" so to speak.

[This message edited by stretch13 at 5:57 AM, May 18th (Saturday)]

My mom was given an "appetite stimulant" when in the hospital. I have no idea what it was, or any side effects or issues that may be associate with it. But maybe that is an option?

Anti-depressants.

Oh wait, that probably doesn't count as "natural" does it?

Some anti-depressants have 'increased appetite' as a side effect (yes I realize that's not 'natural').

Can you exercise a little? That might make you feel more hungry.

I do know just how you feel, I too have lost weight after a not so long ago episode of TT. Some weight loss was ok, but this amount is too much.

((((SusanR))))

i smoke pot and it helps me eat.

Fun fact: I took a Deviance in Society course during my undergrad and my teacher said that eating after smoking pot is a learned cultural thing, especially prevalent in the west. Some cultures use marijuana as an appetite suppressor. There are also studies that show marijuana users tend to be skinnier than non-users. Go figure!

[This message edited by Dark Inertia at 9:54 AM, May 18th (Saturday)]

I went from a size 6 to a size 0 after D-Day. I've now stabilized at a 4/6.

Are you working on addressing the underlying problem (i.e. stress) rather than trying to mask the symptoms? For me, the weight came back on once I was happy again.

What are things you like to do; want to accomplish? Can you focus on some of those and start remaking your life? Almost always, it's better to try to fix the problem and not just treat the symptoms.

I lot 20 pounds in 2 months after D-day. I have always been thin but I was skeletal, 5'8" tall and not quite 100 pounds. A friend of mine in the medical profession told me to have a beer every night before I went to bed. I had never in my life drank a beer before that. It took me about 6 months to gain back the weight and I still don't know if the beer did it but it did help me sleep and I woke up ready to have a meal.

Right after dday I could only eat really spicy stuff. I went to the Thai place down the street from me a lot. Sometimes what you can keep down will surprise you. Find what works for you, and I agree with addressing the underlying issue.

Guinness. They give it to nursing mothers where I come from so it IS good for you.

(((SusanR)))

Lots of ice cream and chocolate!

And Ensure is a lifesaver, when you don't feel like eating.

My first concern for you would be to ask "why?".

Are you too stressed to eat? Do you have an unhealthy view of body size or a control issue regarding food? Is it medical? ...etc.

I think there are probably some quick fixes but out of concern for you, I'd like to see you find the "Why" and address that (Counselling, medical tests etc) and then the appetite could return naturally.

I know many times in my life during extreme stress I not only had a natural tendancy to not being hungry but I also made it a game in my head. It was the one thing I could control and by golly I would. So my issue was psychological but there are so many reasons that it could be physical I would encourage you to find a doctor you trust and get to the bottom of it to feel better inside and out.

i am just too stressed. when I eat, i can only eat a little bit or i feel nauseated. i lost a lot of weight during my first divorce. people accused me of being anorexic. The weight will come back when this storm blows over.

I agree that you need to work on what is triggering you to not eat: stress and how you're handling it (or not) instead of just trying to force you to eat.

Are you open to AD's? It's not like you'd have to stay on them long, but just to get you through this time. I know AD's are not 'natural', but you don't want to have any permanent damage from not eating and getting the nutrients you need.

[This message edited by GrievingMommy at 6:55 PM, May 19th (Sunday)]

Right after d-day, I lost 40 pounds in less than a month. But as things settled down somewhat, it all gradually came back. Darn it!

Milk, or chocolate milk if more palatable, has always been an easy way for me to keep my carb and protein intake up.

Sounds like you are trying tO get good protein. That's smart.

There are meds that can stim appetite and also abate that constant nausea. Ativan can help make the nausea go away along with zofran. Megace is an appetite stim that is commonly used.

Sounds like you may be vegan, so I would say try to put that aside right now and eat anything that sounds good. Make sure you attempt to eat a small amount every 2 hours while awake. Don't worry about being healthy just give your body calories. Once the nausea cycle is broken then go back to your normal eating habits.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. it got really bad today and I had the dry heaves. i got some antinausea chews and that helped. I made a big protein smoothie and got that down over about a hour. Took a long nap. Just woke up and felt hungry! yay! Had a big bowl of popcorn. i may live. @tushnurse- I'm not vegan but I eat very little meat. Especially since Istopped preparing meals for my WH. i do eat cheese and yogurt.

Do you exercise? Exercise often stimulates appetite.