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Megace increases appetite

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Posted 5/21/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I have been catching up on the posts and have noticed a lot of concern about weight loss. This is a major problem for patients that suffer from liver disease. As the disease progresses appetite decreases rapidly thus causing multiple problems. The medication most often Rx'd is MEGACE. It is an appetite stimulant that has had great success with the majority of patients that take it. For all those that are suffering from weight loss or have a loved one that just doesn't want to eat I would strongly suggest that you speak with the Dr about getting Megace. I really hope this helps and many of you will try it. Good luck.
Posted 5/21/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Shelly,

I made a note of it as Terry's appetite is slowing down also. He wanted to lose some weight, but this may help him out later on.

Carol
Posted 5/21/2008 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Shelly  Jerry has a good apetite but he vomits so much.  I am so frustrated.  I was under the impression that when the ammonia level rises its not JUST the disease but something else causing it.  His ammonia level is off the charts, he's vomiting and can barely keep his eyes open and is shaking.  They did blood work to see if he needs a tranfusion but his number are OK so there must be something else wrong.  Now what.  We have to go back to the Dr. early tomorrow.  I'm getting ready for another curve ball!

JoAnn

Posted 5/21/2008 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
JoAnn, I am so sorry that Jerry is vomiting so much. That has got to be horrible for him. Please ask the Dr to Rx an antiemetic (a pill or a suppository to stop the vomiting). He is probably dehydrated by now from losing so much fluid so they may want to hydrate him with some IV fluids. You can check him yourself for possible dehydration if you want. Take your arm and lay it in your lap....pinch up some skin and then release it and see how fast it goes back against your arm. (It should be immediately) then do it to Jerry. If it remains pinched after you let it go for a second or two then starts to slowly go down to its normal position he may be dehydrated. This is called "skin tenting". Nurses check their patients for this when they have had extreme vomiting or excessive diarrhea. It is only an indicator of dehydration but it gives us some indication short of blod tests. In any case I would request some sort of suppository for him. I really don't know what kind to suggest because a I am not sure what is indicated with or contraindicated with liver disease. If he is able to use Phenergan suppositories I can tell you that they work very well. They do make you sleepy tho. BTW, when you pinch up the skin to check for dehydration you do it gently......not so that it hurts. I wish I could offer more info but without progress reports and more info I am little help.
Posted 5/21/2008 3:54 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Shelly,

I have tried to email you personally and beats me where it is.  I pertnear wrote you a book but its lost in lalaland. Anyway, I have noticed Wil, and his weight lose is of concern to me. He has been drinking boost and eating better for the past couple day's and he said he's gaining weight back but how do you know if it is weight and not swelling? He thinks mom is not observant and he can pull the wool over my eyes. He's tired all the time now, but that has to do with fiance keeping him up all night wanting to make wedding plans. He's even going threw some denial. We had a family talk over the weekend as his fiance showed her butt and threw a tempertantrum in a resturant with about 15 of our closest friends present. Very inmature on her part but, she has Wil convienced that Dr'.s say he could go on like this for another 10 yrs.  Of course she's in denial as well, I'm sure! My husband and I both told them that we cannot candy coat this illness that they are both in for a bad rollercoaster ride. With 2 lesions on his right lobe he's not getting better! I want Wil to be posotive I just need him to come back to reality. Dr.'s told me by the end of 2008 Wil, will need that Liver Transplant. What do I do or say? I feel as tho she is putting a wedge between me and my son. Help! Anyone with advice please I can use it.

Huggs and Smooches

Toni

Posted 5/21/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Toni, I can appreciate the frustration you must be feeling due to Will's girlfriends behavior. Brother; what a mess! Speaking as a mother I would want to pull her hair out but we both know that any waves you may cause will only create more problems between you and Will. He is an adult now and prior to the girlfriend being in the picture he only had you and your husband to rely on. Now, things have changed and he relies on her for emotional support. As parents we hate that our relationships with our kids change so quickly when someone else enters the picture!!!!!!!!! But ultimately you have to face the fact that Will is going to do what he wants when he wants with or without your approval or consent. Clinically I understand Will's defiance and his need to exert some power over his life-right or wrong he wants to be the decision maker, The bottom line is Will knows what the future holds for him. He is a bright guy and has been an active participant in his disease process and care. Denial is very common and a part of self preservation that we all have. I would guess that he wants to grab any happiness he can and have at least some normallacy to his life while he can. Opinions are like belly buttons, we all have one.... so try to take any advice we all give you in dealing with this issue with a grain of salt. What makes sense to you-keep it tucked away. What doesn't make sense toss out. If it were me in this situation I guess I would struggle to get along and speak about Will's prognosis and disease with him when he brings it up. Otherwise he will start seeing you as the enemy which will drive him further away. Try to remeber that "Circumstances alter conditions". His circumstances have changed (as he wants to marry this girl) so the conditions of your relationship with him have changed (you are no longer the main figure in his life). Once you accept this as a fact it may help you to accept his choices and decisions. We don't have to like it but we do have to accept it. My heart goes out to you as a mother but I do feel that I have to defend Will's choices. I feel that there is a kinship between us so I can be honest with you as to how I see it. I am forever your friend. PS If you want to reach me by email or phone, Pink Grandma has all the info. Email or call her and I know she will give it to you.
Posted 5/21/2008 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank's for the great info Shelly, we see my husband's doc today and I am going to ask him about the Megace, he has got to put some weight back on and try not to lose any more mustle mass as he will not be in condition for a transplant if they call!
Posted 5/21/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Judith, good luck at the Dr's office. I hope all goes well.
Posted 5/22/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Shelly

Thank You, Honesty is always the best policy even if it hurts! I do want to say you put it in a different perspective for me! I am thrilled with the fact my son is in love and that he has found his princess. I do know we can be good friends as she acts just like my daughter. I know there is immaturity on her part but, we all grow up sometime. I'm sure they will be just fine! Wil does vent to me and tells me more than maybe I should know, and to save face I keep my mouth shut unless they want my advice and they have to ask also, I have stepped back off of situations letting them get through it on thier own. My father-in-law has a term TOUGH LOVE and as a mother we all have come across that alot! My concern is Wil tells me how tired he is and about his weight loss and now he's told me he is coughing up alot of flim/bile, his hand are very shaky and peeling along with they are yellow. My son doesn't want to scare Anna so he down plays his illness. I see the signs and this is where he's coming into denial as he cannot keep up with her and it's wearing on him health wise. I feel that our talk with them went very well as we all got alot out on the table. How do I make her aware that he is not well? She has been to the Dr.s and Transplant Coordinators with us so she can get more involved. Even Dr. told them both of  the long road ahead. She is not getting it! She's quit her job so she can spend more time with him but, He's working so they are not spending time together anyway. Her lodgic is he will take care of me now and I'll take care of him when he gets sick! Thing is I have been supporting Wil and most of his bills for 8 months I cannot afford to support both of them and her bills as well. Priorities need to come first. Wil's health is my first priority! Maybe I'm not getting it?

Thanks for listening! Huggs and smooches

Toni

Posted 5/22/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Shelly,

 

Wil just called me and said Anna is home that she has a sinus infection, sick to stomache, running a fever,and dirreha. He stayed up with her most of the night trying to take care of her. Asked if I could get her some medication for her symptoms. He is now not feeling so good! Yesterday it was coughing flim/bile and today its nasea and his body feels shaky and weak! Should I be worried? Wil has always stayed away if anyone is sick because he knows his ammune system is shot! I asked them both if he wants to stay at the house until she feels better HER reply was no he can handle it!   But, can he? What to do now?

Toni

Posted 5/22/2008 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Shelly,

Saw the Doc yesterday and he gave my husband the RX for the Megace but also told us that it is really expensive, I think he said about $9.00 per pill! Can that be right??
My husband has lost 50lbs. now even though he does eat, his skin just hang's on him and he always look's so lost, this is just breaking my heart.

Judith
Posted 5/24/2008 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Toni, it sure sounds like this girl just doesn't get it to me. I guess all you can do is offer to let him stay at your house while she is sick but the choice is his. I do think I would have told her he just can't afford to be exposed to any contagious illnesses tho. There is NO WAY I would support her. She is capable of working so don't hold back in letting her know that you will not be putting any more money on the coffers other than what you and Will have agreed to. I would definately talk to Will privately too. (In a calm and rational manner). If he wants to take on the responsibilty of her bills just how is he going to do it? Will knows what he needs to do and how he needs to take care of himself. I think this is where tough love comes in. I would be up front and ask him if he is willing to sacrifice his health and possibly his life for the sake of letting her stay home all day and not contibuting financially to their household. I would have to also tell him that he is grown now and any decision he makes concerning these issues is what you will respect. Tell him you do or don't agree (depending on what he says to you) but these choices are his and his alone. This is really a complicated issue I know. It's like where do we as parents draw the line? You are in a difficult position and I hope you think things out well before talking to him. Above all be honest with him and maybe even write out his budget so he can see it in black and white. There are alot of ways that this all can be approached and you know him better than anyone else. You'll do just fine I know.
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