Loss of appetite?

[joomka]

hello friends! its been a while and now am back. My MS diagnosis has now been confirmed (as it was a "maybe" for the last few months) and now going on the Pretnisone dose (the super booster course of 1250 mg for five days). Will start that tomorrow. However I have noticed that i am extremely exhausted by the afternoon. Usually I can truck on for the entire day of meetings. But today I've had two meetings, and two con/calls and am absolutely spent by 2pm today.  Also anyone have sudden loss of appetite? I love food and honestly can't even think of having a meal. Right now forcing myself with chopped veggies and hummus to get me through the day but one/two servings is enough. Can't attribute to loss of appetite to drugs (only taking Lyrica right now) so just wanted to ask. Is this something that others are also experiencing in relation to MS overall?

[yorkieville]

First, I would like to offer you my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband.

I believe that is the hardest part of marriage.

I *think* between having had an eating disorder, and the devastating loss of your husband, and then, the diagnosis of MS, all combined contributed to your loss of appeptite.

I was allergic to Copaxone, and I have been on Rebif since February, and my appeptite has improved, however, I cannot digest a lot of foods, and if I am stressed or extremely fatigued, I lose my appetite.

May I suggest you schedule a small meal, 4-5 times a day, because it may help you regain your appetite.

It doesn't have to be much-sometimes I just eat half of a serving of Oatmeal with half of a banana sliced into it.

If that doesn't help stimulate your appetite, perhaps your MS Specialist can refer you to a nutritionist.

Sheila

[fantine9]

I stumbled across this thread while Googling "MS and loss of appetite", and I'm so relieved to find out I'm not the only one with appetite issues.  I had been practicing intuitive eating and Health at Every Size after a long, long history of disordered eating (anorexic-type behaviors), and was feeling healthier than I had in years.  Then my husband died, and six months after that I was diagnosed with RRMS.

I'm doing all right, considering the circumstances.  I've been on Copaxone for a little over a year, and just had a second MRI that shows no new lesions and no active demyelinization.  But lately (the last month or two) I just have not felt like eating.  Sometimes it's because I'm too tired to cook, or even take out or delivery seems like too much work.  But my stomach doesn't even growl.  I may not even realize that I haven't eaten all day until I have a headache and/or am shaking from low blood sugar.

For others who've experienced this, is it a phase?  Does it pass in time?  How long did it take for you?

[RazCarver]

Don't know if I really have a true loss of appetite or if I am just to tired to even chew.

Good question
Raz

[joomka]

you all are so amazing. Thank you so much for your immediatecy in your answers! and yes the MS hug is what it is it. Clears  alot of stuff up. Tomorrow night is my last night of the 1250 mg pretnisone and boy am I glad that's over. The bitterness wowza! and because they only make it in 50mgs, well 25 pills at a time is my dose and that is just too much.

next step is the daily/weekly injection therapy. Have to choose one out of the 5 they suggested. Thinking about the daily ones which are not as intense (sort of like a insulin injection) as I can't be doing that  once a week, solid in the tissue one they were also mentioning which feels like a flue shot. So any suggestions on that? Sorry to be asking so many questions. My next doc appt is in about 6 weeks where we discuss what needle therapy I will go with but again, since you guys are so amazing, thought I'd throw it out there for you to as well!. Thank you and I send solid positive vibes back to you as well as have you been sending me such support here..

[yorkieville]

I pray you will not lose as much weight as I lost.

I am 5'2, wiegh 73#s.

Still not on MS meds-going through more testing.

Sheila

[jensequitur]

Hey, Joomka - that sounds like the MS hug to me.  It's intercostal spasms around the ribcage.