LOSS OF APPETITE

[MPICKERING]

MY MOTHER WAS TAKEN ILL IN MAY 2001 AND NEARLY DIED OF PANCREATITIS. SHE IS NOW BACK HOME WITH US BUT CANNOT GET BETTER AS SHE CANNOT EAT VERY WELL AT ALL. HER USUAL DAILY MEALS ARE:
LUNCH - SOUP
DINNER-SOUP OR RICE PUDDING
SHE HAS A DRINK SUPPLEMENT EACH DAY. SHE WANTS TO REGAIN HER APPETITE AS SHE IS QUICKLY LOSING WEIGHT AT A ASTONISHIGN RATE. SHE FINDS IT HARD TO SWALLOW FOOD AND HAS LOST ALL APPETITE.

ANY TIPS OR IDEAS WOUDL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS i AM NOT ABOUT TO LOSE HER.
MANY THANKS

MICHELLE

[Nanny]

I concur with Baseball Mom's advise.  I've been there, too, and have to take digestive enzymes whenenver I eat.  You say your mother is drinking a drink supplement?  Hopefully it's something like Ensure, or Boost, or even Slim Fast (really)....these supplements are loaded with nutrients and vitamins.  Mashed potatos, fruit flavored yougurt and oatmeal may not be too irritating for her to swallow.  I wish you luck with this, and keep trying to find help for her, she's fortunate to have you caring for her.

[Baseball_Mom]

Hi - I'm sorry to hear about your mother.  I am currently under a doctor's care for Acute Pancreatitis.  For 2 weeks I pretty much ate nothing.  I got really sick of the thought of broth 3 times a day.  My doctor said that me not eating wasn't doing me any good.  He told me to start eating regular food again and gave me digestive enzymes to take before every meal.  Although they do help and the pain is not as intense when I eat at it was, I still do have pain when I eat.  I certainly feel your mother's pain.  Its worth a shot, ask her doctor about digestive enzymes and see if those help.  If I think of anything else I'll post another comment later.  Best of luck to you and your mother.