[LindaOB]

Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by LindaOB on Thu Dec 28, 2017 3:54 pm

Hello,

My name is Linda and my husband Dan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last February. He had had some strange pains for a few months and visits to chiropractor, regular doctor, acu­puncturist, etc. had brought no relief. An x-ray, of course, showed nothing. Then one day he said his abdomen was numb. Strange. The next day he said the numbness was going down his legs. The following day he could barely walk and someone from work had to help him to his car. Went to the ER and the MRI showed tumors.

First treatments with Revlimid and Velcade were successful and Dan went into remission and had his stem cells harvested this summer.

But in October, some pains returned. And then things happened FAST. An aggressive form of the disease was present. Dan was put on Darzalex. This also was not helping. Blood counts very low, daily labs and regular platelets and blood infusions were needed.

Then into the hospital last week for the VD-PACE treatment. Just brought him home. First Christmas apart.

He has no appetite and is very weak. I do not know how to address this.

He still has pain. He will have the VD-PACE again in a few weeks and then be re-evaluated if he can have a stem cell transplant. We were told that without treatment or if it fails, he would only have 1-2 months!

So I look for advice on what to do for a patient that isn't eating or refuses food.

Thanks in advance for help.
Linda

[bklynite53]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by bklynite53 on Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:08 pm

I can understand as I went thru this in October and November when I had my stem cell transplant. I went from 175 pounds down to 150 pounds. Nothing tasted good. Even water had a terrible metallic taste. Looking or talking about food was nauseating.

If he can afford to lose weight, just have patience and try any and all different foods. Maybe he will find a food or liquid that works for him. I got my appetite back slowly and have gained 4 pounds back, but there are still many foods that I won't eat because they just don't sound good. Even my all- time favorite, rib-eye steak, is a no go for me. Just looking at meat now turns my stomach.

As long as he can consume fluids, he will be ok.

I hope that gives you a little perspective.

[Terrij]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by Terrij on Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:30 am

My daughter had the same problem. She tolerated Ensure drinks, which I added vanilla ice cream to, and it made it like a milkshake. It took awhile for her to get her appetite back and even then she never liked some of her favorite foods again.

[stefania888]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by stefania888 on Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:40 pm

Reinforce that food is medicine. When I had my stem cell transplant, that's what the dietitian stressed, and it became my motto when I had no appetite. I also completely lost my appetite after 2 separate hospital stays with pneumonia. Typically all I could tolerate was what Terrij suggested, Ensure. Eventually I worked up to dry white toast and more solid foods.

I hope things improve soon for your husband.

Take care,

Stephanie

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by Nancy Shamanna on Sat Dec 30, 2017 11:08 am

Hi Linda, Have you heard of the BRAT diet? That is, bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. It is a mild diet. As others have posted, the shake ENSURE provides vitamins and minerals, as well as calories, as I recall. I ate the BRAT and drank Ensure after my stem cell transplant too. Plus I ate ginger candies for queasiness and did tell the oncology nurses about everything, for they had suggestions too. Good luck, and I hope that your husband can regain some strength.

[Alizabeth]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by Alizabeth on Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:11 pm

We are facing the same problem here. My husband has been gradually losing weight since starting treatment in April 2016. He's gone from about 220 pounds before multiple myeloma to 146 pounds currently.

After six months on Ninlaro starting in March this year (in addition to Darzalex and dex), he devel­oped autonomic disorder and gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Low blood pressure, frequent fainting when stand­ing, stomach pain, bloating, and loss of appetite were the symptoms. He stopped the Ninlaro about 4 months ago. The fainting and low blood pressure issues were resolved immediately (at least at the symptomatic level). The GI issues have not. We are seeing a GI specialist and more tests are scheduled for next month.

He is drinking Ensure and eating a little (bread, eggs, chicken, or fish). Soon after eating, he gets stomach pain. It looked like he was stabilizing on 150 pounds and I was urging him to eat to pick up a little weight, but last weight reading at the doctor was 146 pounds. We are treating food as medicine; he does force himself to eat. He feels hunger only occasionally.

Thanks for the responses and tips above. Any other suggestions welcome.

[SlimMoe]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by SlimMoe on Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:09 pm

During chemotherapy I had for breast cancer, one of the foods that tasted halfway decent was Campbell's cream of chicken soup. Sometimes, I was able to add a little rotisserie chicken, boiled potatoes, and peas.

Also, have him use plastic forks and spoons to help with the metal taste.

Good luck.

[Multibilly]

Re: Patient with low appetite / refusing to eat: what to do?

by Multibilly on Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:13 am

Have you considered marijuana? Marijuana's well-known ability to increase appetite and / or to reduce nausea are two of the very legitimate health-related reasons why some cancer patients use marijuana. If you want to avoid the psychoactive experience of marijuana, you can opt for CBD (cannabidiol) or low-THC strains (including edibles). Assuming you live in a state that has legalized medical marijuana, the various marijuana shops can help you with the right choice for your situation.

If you haven't watched it yet, I suggest you take the time to view CNN's documentary by Dr. Sanjay Gupta entitled "Weed". You can easily find it on the web.