Losing muscle due to ill health - please help

Hi - not sure if this should go in Health or Fitness, and I'm trying here first.

I have an unidentified severe pain under my right rib that is preventing me from bearing any kind of load, and on some days bad enough to keep me out of yoga or from running. I've had a billion tests and the doctors are working on it, seems to be some kind of gallbladder / liver issue. I don't really care what it is as long as it stops, so I can eat food and work out again.

My caloric intake has dropped about 500 calories a day, because I'm mostly eating grains and Ensure (fresh veggies and fatty stuff are causing me to double over), and also my workouts have been curtailed when I am in severe pain. I'm still eating about 1200-1400 calories a day, but I have lost 7 pounds of muscle since this began 3 weeks ago (I know its muscle because my clothing still fits the same.)

Any suggestions on how I can maintain my muscle mass without lifting? Thanks in advance for any advice!

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain.  I know about chronic pain and the frustration it can cause.  Please listen to your body and don't worry right now about the muscle mass loss.  It just adds another element of stress to an already stressful situation.  There will be plenty of time to replenish your muscle mass after you recover from this unknown situation.  Remember, muscles have memory.

Take care and please don't fret too much.

A few years ago I went through a similar situation, all kinds of tests came out negative. It turns out it was my colon acting out of stress. You may want to check that out.

Good luck 

It seems to me like you might be having problems with gallstones. The only way the doctors will know for sure is if you get an ultrasound. I developed the same problem after significant weight loss. I hope they figure out what is wrong

I would highly recommend increasing your protein intake considerably, as protein helps prevent catabolism (the body's natural process of breaking down muscle). Don't worry too much though, as you will gain the muscle back rather quickly once you start working out again.