Trying to understand Appetite loss

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Proxy

New member
I have always loved food,I love to cook it,to smell it and to eat and enjoy its many flavours and textures.When im healthy I eat as any regular person altho I dont gain the weight they do but I maintain a healthy weight that my doctors are happy with.My issue is when I get sick I lose the want to eat, everything about eating turns me off, even the smell of something I usually love can turn my stomach and when force myself to eat it its like I have someone elses taste buds and everything doesnt taste appetising.When this happens the weight falls of quickly and I am constantly told to eat altho I have 0 drive to do so and I got to thinking why would your body do this? I dont understand the reasoning for it denying one of the most important things to keeping us healthy.The only explanation I can think of is when an animal is sick it will go off its food and in some cases sneak off and die and I wonder is that what my body is doing?is it trying to die?
If anyone knows the reason for loss of appetite when many of us get sick I would love to hear the explanation as I am very puzzled.
thankyou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
P

Proxy

New member
I have always loved food,I love to cook it,to smell it and to eat and enjoy its many flavours and textures.When im healthy I eat as any regular person altho I dont gain the weight they do but I maintain a healthy weight that my doctors are happy with.My issue is when I get sick I lose the want to eat, everything about eating turns me off, even the smell of something I usually love can turn my stomach and when force myself to eat it its like I have someone elses taste buds and everything doesnt taste appetising.When this happens the weight falls of quickly and I am constantly told to eat altho I have 0 drive to do so and I got to thinking why would your body do this? I dont understand the reasoning for it denying one of the most important things to keeping us healthy.The only explanation I can think of is when an animal is sick it will go off its food and in some cases sneak off and die and I wonder is that what my body is doing?is it trying to die?
If anyone knows the reason for loss of appetite when many of us get sick I would love to hear the explanation as I am very puzzled.
thankyou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
P

Proxy

New member
I have always loved food,I love to cook it,to smell it and to eat and enjoy its many flavours and textures.When im healthy I eat as any regular person altho I dont gain the weight they do but I maintain a healthy weight that my doctors are happy with.My issue is when I get sick I lose the want to eat, everything about eating turns me off, even the smell of something I usually love can turn my stomach and when force myself to eat it its like I have someone elses taste buds and everything doesnt taste appetising.When this happens the weight falls of quickly and I am constantly told to eat altho I have 0 drive to do so and I got to thinking why would your body do this? I dont understand the reasoning for it denying one of the most important things to keeping us healthy.The only explanation I can think of is when an animal is sick it will go off its food and in some cases sneak off and die and I wonder is that what my body is doing?is it trying to die?
<br />If anyone knows the reason for loss of appetite when many of us get sick I would love to hear the explanation as I am very puzzled.
<br />thankyou <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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sexxiej

New member
heres an answer i've come up with im not sure if its right but i'll give it a try lol and see what you think...yes we need food to survive but when we get sick..our bodies are trying to shut down so therefore when it comes to food its the last priority...because our bodies are working extra hard due to blood flow oxygen and everything else that it just pretty much pushes the appetite away from us pretty much a defense mechanism....so therefore were not hungry or have no appetite...im at that point right now...im getting REALLY skinny..and my breathing has gotten wayyy worse..i hope you get better soon and hopefully that can answer your question
 
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sexxiej

New member
heres an answer i've come up with im not sure if its right but i'll give it a try lol and see what you think...yes we need food to survive but when we get sick..our bodies are trying to shut down so therefore when it comes to food its the last priority...because our bodies are working extra hard due to blood flow oxygen and everything else that it just pretty much pushes the appetite away from us pretty much a defense mechanism....so therefore were not hungry or have no appetite...im at that point right now...im getting REALLY skinny..and my breathing has gotten wayyy worse..i hope you get better soon and hopefully that can answer your question
 
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sexxiej

New member
heres an answer i've come up with im not sure if its right but i'll give it a try lol and see what you think...yes we need food to survive but when we get sick..our bodies are trying to shut down so therefore when it comes to food its the last priority...because our bodies are working extra hard due to blood flow oxygen and everything else that it just pretty much pushes the appetite away from us pretty much a defense mechanism....so therefore were not hungry or have no appetite...im at that point right now...im getting REALLY skinny..and my breathing has gotten wayyy worse..i hope you get better soon and hopefully that can answer your question
 
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missT

Member
I def cant answer but I go through the same thing as I am sure everyone on this forum does. I have often wondered why as I got older and my friends have gained weight that with CF my body has lost. I am PS so up until like 34 I had a pretty normal body. As my lung disease progressed my weight went down. I eat and eat (to many jealous stares) at the table and nothing. I am sure someone will have an answer for this.
 
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missT

Member
I def cant answer but I go through the same thing as I am sure everyone on this forum does. I have often wondered why as I got older and my friends have gained weight that with CF my body has lost. I am PS so up until like 34 I had a pretty normal body. As my lung disease progressed my weight went down. I eat and eat (to many jealous stares) at the table and nothing. I am sure someone will have an answer for this.
 
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missT

Member
I def cant answer but I go through the same thing as I am sure everyone on this forum does. I have often wondered why as I got older and my friends have gained weight that with CF my body has lost. I am PS so up until like 34 I had a pretty normal body. As my lung disease progressed my weight went down. I eat and eat (to many jealous stares) at the table and nothing. I am sure someone will have an answer for this.
 
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lilywing

New member
I never thought about why I lose my appetite when I'm really sick, but it is kinda weird.
Proxy, like you, I LOVE food. I want it all the time, I think about it all day, eating is my favorite hobby. But when I'm really sick, I don't want to eat.
 
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lilywing

New member
I never thought about why I lose my appetite when I'm really sick, but it is kinda weird.
Proxy, like you, I LOVE food. I want it all the time, I think about it all day, eating is my favorite hobby. But when I'm really sick, I don't want to eat.
 
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lilywing

New member
I never thought about why I lose my appetite when I'm really sick, but it is kinda weird.
<br />Proxy, like you, I LOVE food. I want it all the time, I think about it all day, eating is my favorite hobby. But when I'm really sick, I don't want to eat.
 
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sexxiej

New member
since the topic is about food and appetite loss...does anybodys stomack have sharp on and off pain ...after you drink or eat anything..or just even moving around?
 
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sexxiej

New member
since the topic is about food and appetite loss...does anybodys stomack have sharp on and off pain ...after you drink or eat anything..or just even moving around?
 
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sexxiej

New member
since the topic is about food and appetite loss...does anybodys stomack have sharp on and off pain ...after you drink or eat anything..or just even moving around?
 
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AimeeSue82

New member
Here's the way my doc explained weight loss to me. When you get an infection and your lung function gets compromised, your body basically turns off "non-essential" functions. All of it's focus goes to keeping your heart beating, breathing and brain function. Blood circulation slows, digestion (and the urge to eat) slows, energy levels drop. I see a loss of appetite as the first warning sign of illness, usually followed by congestion and fevers. Proxy, you said it yourself "when I get sick, I loose the urge to eat". It's telling you something is wrong, get it fixed! Also, there is a correlation between lung function and weight. When weight goes up, lung function goes up (and vice versa). When one drops, the other drops. Do whatever you can to get your lungs healthy and your appetite should come back.

Sexxiej- Since you were dx at 6 months, I assume your doctor has found out if you're pancreatic sufficient or insufficient and has you on enzymes if necessary. If you're having so much pain, perhaps your enzymes are not working. You may need a different brand or different strength. Also, you may want to try adding daily omeperazole (like Nexium), it cuts down the amount of stomach acid in your belly. It's helped me TONS! And, completely off subject, I read another one of your posts where you said you hadn't seen your dr in over a year and couldn't get in to see him until jan 6. I'm very concerned about that...all the symptoms you've described are very serious. I would try to get an earlier appt or even switch drs. you need to see someone far more often then you are currently, IMO.

~Aimee, 28 CF w/ PA & MRSA
 
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AimeeSue82

New member
Here's the way my doc explained weight loss to me. When you get an infection and your lung function gets compromised, your body basically turns off "non-essential" functions. All of it's focus goes to keeping your heart beating, breathing and brain function. Blood circulation slows, digestion (and the urge to eat) slows, energy levels drop. I see a loss of appetite as the first warning sign of illness, usually followed by congestion and fevers. Proxy, you said it yourself "when I get sick, I loose the urge to eat". It's telling you something is wrong, get it fixed! Also, there is a correlation between lung function and weight. When weight goes up, lung function goes up (and vice versa). When one drops, the other drops. Do whatever you can to get your lungs healthy and your appetite should come back.

Sexxiej- Since you were dx at 6 months, I assume your doctor has found out if you're pancreatic sufficient or insufficient and has you on enzymes if necessary. If you're having so much pain, perhaps your enzymes are not working. You may need a different brand or different strength. Also, you may want to try adding daily omeperazole (like Nexium), it cuts down the amount of stomach acid in your belly. It's helped me TONS! And, completely off subject, I read another one of your posts where you said you hadn't seen your dr in over a year and couldn't get in to see him until jan 6. I'm very concerned about that...all the symptoms you've described are very serious. I would try to get an earlier appt or even switch drs. you need to see someone far more often then you are currently, IMO.

~Aimee, 28 CF w/ PA & MRSA
 
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AimeeSue82

New member
Here's the way my doc explained weight loss to me. When you get an infection and your lung function gets compromised, your body basically turns off "non-essential" functions. All of it's focus goes to keeping your heart beating, breathing and brain function. Blood circulation slows, digestion (and the urge to eat) slows, energy levels drop. I see a loss of appetite as the first warning sign of illness, usually followed by congestion and fevers. Proxy, you said it yourself "when I get sick, I loose the urge to eat". It's telling you something is wrong, get it fixed! Also, there is a correlation between lung function and weight. When weight goes up, lung function goes up (and vice versa). When one drops, the other drops. Do whatever you can to get your lungs healthy and your appetite should come back.
<br />
<br />Sexxiej- Since you were dx at 6 months, I assume your doctor has found out if you're pancreatic sufficient or insufficient and has you on enzymes if necessary. If you're having so much pain, perhaps your enzymes are not working. You may need a different brand or different strength. Also, you may want to try adding daily omeperazole (like Nexium), it cuts down the amount of stomach acid in your belly. It's helped me TONS! And, completely off subject, I read another one of your posts where you said you hadn't seen your dr in over a year and couldn't get in to see him until jan 6. I'm very concerned about that...all the symptoms you've described are very serious. I would try to get an earlier appt or even switch drs. you need to see someone far more often then you are currently, IMO.
<br />
<br />~Aimee, 28 CF w/ PA & MRSA
 
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minimedic304

New member
When you feel sick your body could care less about eating ...so as a cf patient it takes at least 3500 calories to maintain your weight... i need about 4000 and 4500 to gain....so recently i started a medication called megace....it increase your appitite 20x...or you can use marinol.... i added 12 lbs in two weeks....i eat all day nonstop...its awesome...example: bacon and eggs for breakfast....arbys roast beef at 11, boston market meal at 1230 another arbys beef and cheddar at 130 and a huge dinner and then snacks til bed, then my feedings...... it ends up being like 5,000 calories.....bad part, you better have cash for all the groceries
 
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minimedic304

New member
When you feel sick your body could care less about eating ...so as a cf patient it takes at least 3500 calories to maintain your weight... i need about 4000 and 4500 to gain....so recently i started a medication called megace....it increase your appitite 20x...or you can use marinol.... i added 12 lbs in two weeks....i eat all day nonstop...its awesome...example: bacon and eggs for breakfast....arbys roast beef at 11, boston market meal at 1230 another arbys beef and cheddar at 130 and a huge dinner and then snacks til bed, then my feedings...... it ends up being like 5,000 calories.....bad part, you better have cash for all the groceries
 
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