HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Weight loss picking up steam

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/25/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
My next round of tests on Thursday can't come soon enough, to find out what is going on with the weight loss, loss of all appitite, stomach cramping, back aches, etc.

Since Sunday night, I have lost almost another 5 lbs, in just 2 days.  On both days, I manage to eat 2 small meals each day, plus untold spoons of peanut butter to try to add some protein and calories.  That is averaging over 2 lbs per day now, not one.

At some point, if we can't get to the bottom of this mystery, I am going to run of out fluff to lose, and face possible malnutrician issues.  This was something the oncology dietician warned me about, she said its not just about body weight, it has to do with the nutricianal needs of the body not being met.

My other fear is "wasting disease", my oncologist warned me about that, that once it's triggered, all the eating in the world can't reverese the trend, and the body slowly, literally, wastes away.  Hope I am not dealing with that, hoping its some identifiable digestive or organ issue.

If these tests don't show anything conclusive, I am not really sure what is next in line.  I am sure that between my new gastro doc and my oncologist, a game plan is being planned.

david

Posted 9/25/2012 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
David, while the reason for this weight loss must be addressed, I want to offer some advice stemming from my own "not able to eat for 3 months" experience. It is amazing how little human being needs to eat in order to stay alive, so even a banana a day is much better than nothing. I think you are doing exactly the right thing with eating 2 small meals plus PB. Don´t assume your weight will keep coming off, until you "melt away"...it may slow down or even stop in order to reflect your true calorie intake. As long as you are taking calories in, don´t worry!! Having said that, I do hope you find the reason for your cramping on Thursday and a quick remedy for it!
Posted 9/25/2012 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oh David I am praying not but in all honesty, when I saw CC's post the other day talking about 'wasting disease', your situation came to mind.
Hopefully Thursday will throw some positive light on the situation.
Thinking of you.
Susan
x
Posted 9/25/2012 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi David,

The XIV Dalai Lama mentioned 5 things to live by. Love, Forgiveness, Compassion, Tolerance and Self Discipline. I only know you from this forum but you set a high bar and you are one tough dude. When I come to the forum, I always look for your posts. Don't be disappointing me any time soon.

All the best,
Robert
Posted 9/25/2012 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Crossing my fingers that "Cachexia" is NOT responsible for your present condition!!
Posted 9/25/2012 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
What a scary situation. Does an IV make any sense, sort of a nutrition transfusion? I know that seems extreme, since you are able to eat and keep food down but it surely seems like that isn't working well enough.

fingers crossed for you
Posted 9/25/2012 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
HAVE YOU tried Ensure Plus.

It tastes good and will provide some much needed calories.

They have generic brands at most stores

Mel

Posted 9/25/2012 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
As long as you are keeping it down. I think you should consider food as medicine, cod liver oil, if you will and hold you nose and take it down. Nobody says you have to enjoy it. Not eating enough has an obvious end point!
Posted 9/25/2012 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi David

I posted this link in another post.

Hope you don't need it.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/27/health/la-he-cachexia-20120227

My thoughts are with you

Best wishes to all the brothers and familys

Gerry 

Posted 9/25/2012 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
i grew up on cod liver oil, yuck, never going to touch that stuff again, not as an adult. don't think if ever did me any good then either, but my mother made me take it until i was about 16.

robert - thanks, i am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. still here trying to help, and at the Chronic Pain group as well.

thanks to everyone elses concern and support.

david
Posted 9/25/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
info - if they can't diagnose what is going on soon, its possible that some kind of short term hospitalization could be required, using IV's to stave off what is happening.

i am more astounded at the weight loss picking up speed, despite going out of my way to try to eat more. and no, i am not vomiting at any point, but its seems by observation, that i am "exiting" what i eat 2 to 3 to 1 easily.

not going to much left to prep for, for thursday's upper and lower gi tests, couldn't imagine there being much of anything left inside at this point
Posted 9/26/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
David, I'm hoping that the tests you are doing on Thursday will reveal the reason for the weight loss and the pain that comes along with it. I pray that whatever it is, it can be reversed without complications or major surgeries. Best wishes.
Posted 9/26/2012 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hoping for the best David. Hopefully they find out what's causing such a drop. Hugs sent your way!
Posted 9/26/2012 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
thank you ed, and silverlace (cool name)
--------------------------------------

went to greenville this evening to eat dinner with my last boss and his wife. ate tuna steak, pasta, and a very plain salad, small portion of course. it was by candlelight on their back plazza. really nice time.

we retired to their living room to talk. in 10 minutes, i was cramped over in pain. i excused myself, and drove home as fast as i could. it was all i could do not to mess myself. i barely made it in the door at home and flew to the crapper. there i stayed for 3 major rounds of diarhea.

this is how bad and fast i am reacting to having any food inside me. and no, i wasn't remotely hungry, in fact not hungry at all when we sat down to eat. never felt any hunger all day and didnt eat until this evening

something has to be majorly not right, as its getting worse by the day. tommorow is "prep" day, starting at 1 pm and fasting all day. just want to get these tests done and over, but more importantly, praying there will be an obvious answer and solution, even if i dont care for the answers.

david
Posted 9/26/2012 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
David,
It seems that every time I disappear for a short time and then return I find you have another hurdle to overcome. That is really some serious weight loss going on there ----- with luck the Thursday tests may shed some light on the cause and a then a plan to overcome this hurdle can be set in place. The symptoms you describe would really relate to anybody with Celiac ---- most especially the cramping and absolute urgency you described( the pasta would have triggered an instantaneous attack). I sincerely hope it is something along those lines for then it can be dealt with dietary changes.
Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/26/2012 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Oh man, David... more bad news.

You hang in there and I'll keep a good thought. Maybe something good happens in this next round of tests.
Posted 9/26/2012 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
David, sounds like you're in some good hands, but do they know how fast you're losing weight now? How about your cruise, was it this bad during the cruise?
Posted 9/26/2012 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys

billy, the celiac is still possible, but gastro dr ruled it out on first vist. but at least that would be a less invasive problem to deal with - just a major diet change

squirm - on the cruise, the reaction time was slower, more like an hour, and i hid most of the cramping and pain from my wife, so that she could enjoy the trip more. it was a hard act to pull off at times, but that is what us guys will do when we have too. plus there were bathrooms all over the ship to duck in.

david
---------------------------

well, things have settled down the past 2 hours. at least with tommorow's required fast for the tests, i won't feel bad about not eating.
Posted 9/26/2012 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
David my friend, (think I can call you that after 5 years),I have been away for a while, I am mortified with what is happening to you, and really worried that the doctors can not find out why you are losing so much weight, I will continue to monitor your posts, I wish you and family all the best under these extremely trying times.

Regards Mal.
Posted 9/26/2012 10:14 AM (GMT 0)
Best wishes for the test and hoping for results. Information is definitely better than not knowing!
Posted 9/26/2012 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
David, it just doesn't end for you...the good news about the tests on Thursday is that they should be able to tell you right away what they saw (or didn't see). Any biopsy samples taken will have the usual 5 or so days wait for results but the gastro should be able to give you some information.

Five pounds in two days is not good at all...but I'm not telling you anything you don't know. Since your symptoms mimic celiac disease, I'm kind of surprised that the doctors didn't recommend staying away from gluten products to see if that had any effect on your symptoms.

At least during the fasting period, you shouldn't have to worry about the horrible cramps and Hershey squirts. Take care of yourself and remember to take in plenty of fluids 'cause you've already lost alot of water and will lose more.

You'll be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow.
Posted 9/26/2012 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Purg / David - you are the Sensai out here, and have set a bar that I don't believe anyone will surpass in terms of what you have/are going through and yet you still fill this space with posts to help others. I am not an expert or versed in what you are going through so I cannot offer any advice - what I will offer are my thoughts and prayers - and be here waiting anxiously for your results after tomorrow's test.

My very best to you sir. . .
Posted 9/26/2012 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I second Ensure Plus. Each small bottle is 360 calories and a ton of nutrition. Prayers and good luck David.
Rick
Posted 9/26/2012 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
thanks one and all.

have drank both ensure and boost products, same effect. both cause me severe cramping and back aches. it honestly doesn't matter what i eat, it does the same thing. its like my body is rejecting any food. only time it doesnt happen, is i am drinking water, crystal light, or diet soda. liquid as in drinks not bothering me.

thanks yooper for your kind words

sephie - i really need these tests to find something, anything. so that a solution can be found. the gastro dr ruled out celiac at the first meeting, not positive how he determined that. i feel nothing is ruled out at this point. so let the tests begin

david
Posted 9/26/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
David,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12