anorexia due to chemo

[greenark]

Hope somebody out there can help... My Mom is a 73 yr old survivor for 3 years now.  She has over the last year developed anorexia.  This began with a flu episode last January and continued with nausea and vomiting thru 2 episodes of chemo.  Her last chemo was supposed to be easier but with a diagnosis of a partial small bowel obstruction, she has gotten to the point of vomiting at the suggestion of food or medication.  Since the bowel obstruction is not complete and she is passing gas and has OK bowel movement, only part of this can be attributed to the obstruction - but she has lost almost 15 lbs over the past 2-3 weeks and is continually dehydrated because of anticipatory vomiting (the doctors don't call it anticipatory any longer - they call it anorexia).  Has anybody gone thru this and does anyone have any suggestions!!!  At this point, her body weight cannot support further chemo which now her CA125 and CAT scan probably suggests.  HELP - I can't get her to eat Boost and very little anything else anymore. She can't afford to lose any more weight.

[greenark]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiry and so sorry it took so long to get back to you!  We did an IV on Wednesday and on Thursday Mom was fantastic - she wanted to try eating stuff and decided that Boost was an OK supplement.  By Thursday taking her Nexium pill and the prednesone pill (even before she tried to take the pills) with vomiting.  By this morning (Saturday) she has lost another pound and is back to saying that everything is "going against her" even before she eats it.  How does one fight against anorexia?  I am at a loss!  I will contact her doctors on Monday again for the artificial marijuanna and try to find a hypnotist to help her eat.  But is there anything else that I can try?  The partial blockage seems to just delay stuff passing thru and not totally impair it.  But I can't seem to get past the mental food=vomiting response and I am willing to try anything.  Without maintaining some weight or gaining some weight, I'm not sure that we'll be able to fight with any more chemo.  Thanks in advance for any help!

[freshair]

Loosing 15 pounds over 2 or 3 weeks is no good. I can see why you are reaching out. I would get her to the hospital with intravenous drip. She's got to have something. If she's throwing up, then something is wrong. It sounds physical knowing she has ovarian cancer. How is she mentally? Does she want to eat but can't keep anything down? What chemo is she on? If that were happening here, my doctor would put a hold on the chemo. Boost and Ensure are liquid. She should be able to drink those. Can she? Or she doesn't want to? Besides that, if those are too sweet for her you can find alternatives at the health food store. I hope you can do something. Please let us know how she's doing. Has her cancer spread to her stomach? I'm wishing you all the best for your mother.

[Helmar]

Hi Greenark...If your Mum is unable to take solid food, or can't tolerate it, maybe she could take her nourishment in the form of a drink. Ensure mixed, is very good if she can tolerate that, as it has the necessary nourishment. Can she eat icecream? Even that would be better than nothing... it goes down easily, and can be quite 'filling' with having a milk base, and it's pleasant to have. I love icecream, so it would be easy for me. Fruit juices could be good too, as then she is getting fluids, especially if you mix it with a little water. It's hard, but your Mum will need to really try and get some sustenance, otherwise they probably won't let her do the chemo... and she probably needs to do that.
I wish you and your Mum all the best, and I hope she can get back on track soon.
With kind thoughts...Helmar.

[gah_70]

Has her doctor tried Marinol?  It is the synthetic form of marijuana.  It is given in small enough doses that you don't feel "high", but stimulates appetite in addition to helping stop nausea and vomiting. I took it for a short time while on chemo, and it did help boost my appetite somewhat.  I don't know your mom's situation, of course, but maybe it is something that would help.  Will she eat eggs?  That was another suggestion from my doctor since eggs are light enough that you don't feel like you've eaten anything.  The protein would also be a big help.  Best wishes to both of you.  I hope she is able to find a resolution soon.

Gail

[kathy o]

I noticed that while i was getting infused wih doxil one of the  side effects of doxil was Anexoria. Go onto web sites and look at the side eff3cts deeper... good luck

[SimplyStar]

Extreme therapy may mean getting a suppliment into her system via  a feeding tube.  Either naso-gastric or a direct abdominal tube. Hypnosis to bring her to eating. Physch. sessions for mental health.  Morbid personality changes can cause a person to refuse to est. Good Luck.