Strange loss of appitite

In the past year, I have been losing around 6 lbs a month, without any attempts at dieting or cutting back, basically, eating whatever I feel like.  Not been a problem as I had the extra weight to lose.

However, in the past 2 months, a very noticable change in appitite is taking place with me.  It's kind of a catch-22 situation.  I now sometimes eat only one real meal a day, sometimes two, and often go through most of a day and never have the sensation of feeling hungry.  On top of that, when I do eat and have a full meal, not talking about being stuffed or overeating, it usually causes my lower back to ache intensely.  It can be a frightening feeling, and sometimes it hurts enough to almost make me feel on the edge of panic.  The same thing happens with my bowels, if I am starting to get "full" down there, two things happen.  I start getting bad stomach cramps, very painful ones, and it spreads to severe pain in my lower back as well.  I am now 31 months ones out of SRT, and just now developing that urgent bowel feeling.  Though I am never constipated, if I feel the need to go for a #2, I better be within 2-3 minutes of a toilet.  That's a shame, as even during SRT, never had any bowel or rectal trouble.

The appitite loss is now becoming a self-feeding type of circle.  First,  I am not hungry most of the time, and second, I know if I eat much, I am going to get the bad back aches and cramps further down the line.  Not sure what to make of this, but it is progressively getting worse by the week.  Will be discussing this with my oncologist in mid-July.

And to boot, my fatigue level has noticably increased, especially the past month, in another thread, I talked about now needing 2 and 3 naps per day, just to make it.  Definitely not normal for me.  When I went to Physical Therapy this week, it was about a 40 minute session, it was all I could to drive home, and then went to bed for 2 1/2 hours.

Things that I could accomplish even 2 and 3 months ago, are now out of reach for me physically.  I know this isn't a proper medical term or condition, but to me, I feel like my body is slowly but steadily shutting itself down.

And then of course, the constant pain is always there, and still having to deal with a rapidly climbing PSA number.

David

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 6/23/2012 11:10:08 PM (GMT-6)

David:

I have used ensure when I feel I'm not eating well or just not getting enough
Nutrition. Actually, I do Ensure Plus and there is usually a generic brand available. The chocolate flavor is very good.
I second the shake idea. During my sort, I did the protein shakes. Try Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein, cookies and Creme flavor. You can get it at Walmart. Reasonably priced, again decent tasting. Mix one full scoop of that with maybe 4-6 oz. of skim milk , maybe whole milk in your case. Add half a banana, maybe a cup of blueberries a cup of strawberries. Put in blender and let it rip until smooth. I hope that helps.

You never mentioned losing that much weight. 6 pounds a month is a lot to be losing regularly. Purg., I have noticed little things since my SRT. My bowels have just not been the same. I've had some cramping issues, relieved by BMs. No diarrhea but smaller than usual BMs and also irritated anal area, relieved by using Prep. H wipes. It has worsened recently. I am convinced the SRT was the cause. So far, no bleeding and not a major inconvenience.

Certainly worry and stress can be contributing to all of this, although you have indicated that you don't worry. But with all the new concerns, maybe it is creating more problems.

I wonder if you shouldn't forgo the unknown bladder situation and get aggressive about the known PC situation? At times I find aspects of dealing with PC to be challenging, to say the least. I don't know how I would handle TWO cancers at the same time.

Good luck. Hope this information helps.

MEL

Yeah, smoothies are a great idea, especially with bananas in them should give you enough yummy calories.

I do not believe your body is shutting down, whenever I have anxiety in my life, I tend to eat very little, the stomach is in a knot, and I am lucky to eat a meal a day, it is normal for those stressful periods in life. And of course, the lb are coming off without me even trying. Not saying that you have anxiety, but sometimes it sneaks up on you, especially in light of battles that you are facing, keep it in mind as a possible culprit of your weight-loss.

Mel, you said:

"I wonder if you shouldn't forgo the unknown bladder situation and get aggressive about the known PC situation? At times I find aspects of dealing with PC to be challenging, to say the least. I don't know how I would handle TWO cancers at the same time."

For the very last time, my oncologist and I have my PC situation under control. This thread has nothing to do with your opinion about my PC treatment situation. I already know you don't agree with what we are doing, but I am 100% fine with it.

I may not have bladder cancer, but with my Urostomy, there is no normal way to know, because the most common symptons can't be known with my by-pass in place. I have other symptons, and I am at high risk.

If there is cancer found, it can be one of 2 things. It could be true bladder cancer, or, it could be prostate cancer that has spread to the bladder, in some ways, that would be worse. My doctor said though its rarer, that sometimes with mets, it doesn't always go to the bone first, it can hit an organ, etc. Especially with the amount of radiation damage I received.

In my mind, there is a giant gulf of difference between fretful worry, and honest concern. I am concerned about all of this, but I am not losing my mind or worrying about it. The next logical step, is this exploratory surgery in July.

David

Chrissy, thanks for your thoughtful suggestions. I hope your husband does better in the future. My Uro (hadn't seen him since last November), was a bit shocked when he came into the room. First thing he said, you look like you lost a lot of weight since last time. Right now, I still have enough fluff on me to continue to lose more weight without it being a problem. We half joke and call it the "Cancer Diet". Some way to lose weight, though, lol.

special lady, aniexty is possible, it can manifest in many ways, and varies so much, but to be honest, just not a anxious person or a worrier. i look at everything in fine detail, and with a logical approach to everything going on in my life. i am a big beleiver in compartmentizing all my issues, so that one issue doesnt overflow to an entirely different problem.

sephie, so good to hear from you. hugs. miss having you around here. yeah, 2 doctors have already told me that the virtual colonosocpy's are pretty useless, because if they see anything suspicious, they will still need to do a real one anyway. my uro said there is no such thing in my area as a virtual bladder scan (for cancer), and he said that with many of the scans anyway, you end up with inconlusive information. this was the case recently with me and the suspicious spot on my spine from the MRI in april. a total of at least 4 doctors couldn't agree what it was or wasnt. as soon as we can get to the bottom of the bladder situation, we are moving on to the colon. my uro said that the right doctor knowing the risks, could probably safely do a conventional one, if it was done with my issues in mind. i need an "all clear" in that area too to feel remotely safe.

i hope john is doing well these days, probably watching way too many yankee games, can't imagine why, lol.

but don't be a stranger, i miss you

david

Hi David,

Sounds like your doctor is onto something. I wonder if it's something to do with your bladder that is giving you the cramps and fullness feeling.

Hoping they find out what this is all about w/ the scheduled surgery.

David not sure what to think on the new eating abits and side effects, but hope that you have discussed that with your Dr. For me I have to eat small meals, maybe 3-5 over the course of the day and I never eat to fullness. But my meds cause constipation, so you are fortunate in that area.
Michael

David has it been discussed if the SRT staff unknowingly gave you an escalated dose?

Post Edited (Squirm) : 6/23/2012 10:53:28 AM (GMT-6)

Hi David.

I'm not at this site as much as I used to be and just read your latest post. I just wish there was something I could do or say that would make you feel a bit better, or, would be helpful in some small way. You are intelligent and clear headed and between you and your medical team will find the way that's best for you.

You are in my thoughts.

Your friend,

Mag

 

Hi David

Well once again a difficult post to reply to.

Unfortunately there are to many posts with members giving the good fight against this dibilitating wasting disease.

In my opinion pain is number 1  on the list of symptoms/side effects that have a terrible effect on a persons quality of life.

I pray that something can be done to eliviate this burden from you and others suffering from this. 

It's wonderfull when we hear about the treatment success and hope it continues.

Best wishes

Gerry  

David - while reading your post, I knew what your conclusion on the matter ( what is currently happening to you) would be
- from what you have endured
- from the variables that interact with each other
- what is occurring may well be as you put it so clearly - "I feel like my body is slowly but steadily shutting itself down."
-if it hurts after trying to consume food - it hurts after trying to eliminate waste - if it hurts - it hurts - and you can subconsciously develop a "why bother" response and the common - almost automatic responses such as feeling hunger - the feeling to have a B.M.can be absent or overcompensated.

- sometimes you have to trick yourself and your body to meet its needs - the use of a product like "Ensure" can help accomplish it and help maintain your nutritional needs
- even though I use my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea nightly, I still need the occasional nap to retain a level of consciousness for the rest of the day. - my apnea is compromised due to the "central apnea" and it is hard to describe to others that I have to take a nap ( about 30 minutes to 1 hour) NOW - since I am running out of air... I am not happy about it and feel it (the apnea) is still in control - but I have to do it...

-not intending to highjack anything - just offering a parallel view since some of your readers have definite responses due to their own life experiences and opinions and sometimes do not see the succinct nature of your choice of words.

-wishing you all the best in this stage of life,

hugs,
Bronson

Hello all. I've not been able to be here for awhile but I do want to comment to Swim and Juliet that while I too believe Mel is well intentioned and caring and meant only the best for David, we do know, as David has told us, that the pain he lives with makes it extraordinarily difficult for him sometimes (and totally understandably so) to keep an even keel on some issues.

 Questioning Dave on his PCa treatment choices is clearly one of those issues. David is a smart guy, he knows his body, he knows his doctors, he is pursuing a course of action which he has decided is best for him. He has made it clear countless times that he has total faith in his medical advice, and does not wish to discuss alternates of either treatment strategies, or medical advice. If we truly care for David we need to stop challenging his decisions on treatment and medical advice -- no matter how well intended -- in this public forum. David's personal email is available in his profile and if God is telling any of us that we have to beat up on David's choices (and as mildly put as advice may be, for David it is beating up on his choices) then far better to do it by email where he has a delete button to control.

I do hope the above is not read as being critical of Mel's intentions, and others as well who push David sometimes, albeit gently, but rather as just reminder that what to us may seem a reasonable, mild, question isn't. Might David be more understanding? Of course. But, he has asked if not pleaded, that we not test him. I think we need to respect that as loving, as caring, as well meaning as our questioning may be.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

Sheldon, I agree with everything you have stated, and have said so in the past. I just didn't see that in THIS thread. But then I have a tendency to want everyone to shake hands and be best friends again, so I'll just back out of the discussion!

Hugs to David from a fellow chronic pain sufferer...

Juliet, who gets it.