Not eating and losing weight

ronda b · November 15

My DH appetite is bad. He has lost so much weight. Yes I've tried the protein shakes they are a hit and miss. I keep snakes around. If I can get him to eat once a day I'm lucky. I've tried just making the food and giving it to him, sometimes he'll take maybe 2 bites and throw the rest away. I've asked him what he wants,if he wants to go out ,order in . He is loosing so much weight. Yes I've dicuss this with the dr. Any suggestions?

ronda b · November 15

Sorry snacks around

Metta · November 15

We have been fortunate that DH still eats. If I ask him if he is hungry, he doesn’t respond or says “no.” Then, when I hand feed him, he eats a lot more than I expected. Yet he is still losing weight, mostly muscle.

Have you tried the usual irresistibles? For my DH, I mix baked chicken (minced) and veggies like peas and corn with mashed potatoes from the grocery store and a little cheesy Alfredo sauce, and he loves it. Then ice cream. All moist to make swallowing easier.

I don’t know what favorite foods your DH always loved, but maybe adapting them with some added calorie options.

If I gave my DH a protein shake, he wouldn’t touch it, but he will eat just about anything with mashed potatoes from Fresh Market or Whole Foods, not my cooking. 😂

ronda b · November 15

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/258571#Comment_258571

When I say protein shake I mean make a milkshake out of it with ice cream. DH FAVORITE food peanut butter and jelly. I can make his favorite and still the same. He doesn't appear to have trouble swallowing.

Quilting brings calm · November 15

What did the doctor say? By that I mean did he say that you could or should do something about the weight loss? Or did he just acknowledge the weight loss? It may just be that he’s reached the point where weight loss is part of the stage he is in, or that something unfixable is causing it. Offer food, feed it to him if he will accept it, but don’t force him to eat.

sandwichone123 · November 15

When he can't eat and is losing weight, it's a good time to call for a hospice evaluation. Even if they don't think he's ready for hospice they will provide some very helpful information about what they're seeing and some helpful ideas for coping.

Vitruvius · November 16

Failure to thrive, including weight loss, is a condition that hospice agencies recognize as a major qualification for hospice. Having a hospice nurse visiting regularly can help you assess how serious any weight loss is. My DW’s hospice nurse visits at least twice a week and will come more often if requested. She has been instrumental in identifying foods and feeding techniques.

ronda b · November 16

They say don't force him. He can feed his self. Makes his own pb&j . Does all his own adls,except for meds. I've thought about the failure to thrive..

SDianeL · November 16

call hospice. They will provide so much help. They will reevaluate every 6 months.

Arrowhead · November 16

My wife eats like a horse and is bedridden but has still lost a lot of weight. A lot of patients lose weight whether they eat or not. It seems to be a part of the disease. As with everything else connected with this, take your cues from him. Feed him if he will eat and don't if he won't. Just don't be worried about it.

Not eating and losing weight

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