[vvicin01]

Weight loss after stopping myeloma treatment - why?

by vvicin01 on Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:16 am

Good morning,

I have been taking my 89-year-old Dad to treatment for his multiple myeloma for over 5 years now. We have just about exhausted every possible treatment. Three weeks ago I decided, along with his doctor, that though the treatment was working, the side effects and quality of life was being impacted and that we would terminate all future treatments.

The travel to treatment every week, the diarrhea, transfusion, and anemia was really impacting his life. He has been asymptotic for the entire time he was diagnosed, which is amazing. I wanted to give him some time to enjoy his life and feel better.

The doctor agreed that he could possibly go into remission and really feel pretty good with pain management and be around the people he cares for and to live in his home with his mind and health still in tack, for awhile.

Since we stopped treatment, my Dad is much more coherent, seems really content with his life and really has no pain. His back problem, which was a real issue is under control with tramadol. He no longer has diarrhea and sleeps well.

It has been three weeks since he last had treatment and the only thing that puzzles me is this: He has a really good appetite (probably the daily does of dex), but he is losing lots of weight. He was losing weight when he was being treated, and we thought it was the Revlimid and other treatments.

How can he lose so much weight. He is 5' 3" (1.60 m), at 120 pounds (54 kg). He lost 6 pounds since we stopped - he was 147 pounds (67 kg) two months ago. He is all skin and bones.

He is clear headed but weak but he can still get around, though he does sleep a lot. He eats three meals a day but cannot gain weight.

Is the cancer stealing all the protein from his body? Is there something else that could be doing this?

It is hard to understand since the multiple myeloma really has not displayed itself and seems like there is something else happening. It seems like he is starving to death yet he eats.

[Hummingbird]

Re: Weight loss after stopping myeloma treatment - why?

by Hummingbird on Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:08 am

Many cancers, when severe, cause weight loss as the metabolism changes and the body is no longer receiving nutrients well from the food eaten. Ask your doctor if adding high-calorie milkshakes or other nutrient dense foods would have any positive effects.

It's wonderful that the family's focus is on quality of life.

Debra

[vvicin01]

Re: Weight loss after stopping myeloma treatment - why?

by vvicin01 on Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:10 am

Thank you Debra.

I was told something similar by his nurse. Basically, I was told that the cancer is a "ferrous eater". The body cannot take in the calories (just like you said).

I know the myeloma is probably running out of control inside him, but he still is able to walk and understand most things. He is resting comfortable these days and his back pain is under control. I guess when I see how he eats, I sometimes feel like he is recovering.

I am warned by nurses and doctors not to get my hopes too high. He is one infection away from really getting sick. I am just puzzled on how he wants to eat, almost like a habit.

Thank you for your response.