losing weight

reenie · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject: losing weight

Sam has lost 50+ pounds. Dr. recommended three boosts or ensure a day but they are not helping. Does anyone have anything on feeding tubes? I am not talking drastic end of life feeding tube intervention here, more something to give him a little more energy so he can enjoy these next months. It seems a walk to the bathroom knocks him out. This is his week off gemcitabine and we were expecting a higher energy level. We see the Dr. this Wed and will ask about the tube but if anyone has any input pls reply.
thanks, reenie

reenie · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:05 am Post subject: Re: losing weight

Kinda feeling like Christah seems to be feeling. Sorry, can't help wondering what I am doing wrong that no one would venture a reply. Hey Leo, do you check this sort of thing? Is it that Pancreatic is so difficult that no one has time or knowledge? if that is the case a simple " yeah, I hear you would be okay... Nevermind

missumom · Experienced user Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 65

Hi Reenie,

I haven't posted for a while because of the same reason. It turned me off from replying because nobody replied to my post (although I haven't stopped reading). Then I realized that people read these posts and sometimes, as much as they want to reply, they just don't have anything positive to say, so they don't bother. But what we have to realize (like you said), a simple 'i hear ya' helps.

Is Sam able to chew/swallow? If he's unable to chew/swallow, then the feeding tube is your only option. If he is able to chew and swallow, try food that are easy to digest. With my mom, we asked her what she wanted to eat and basically, went out of our way to get it for her, just so she'll eat something. I read your other post where you mentioned a drug called Magacees. Is that not working for him anymore? My mom tried Diabeta (similar to Ensure), but she ended up with severe stomach cramps because of high fat content, her stomach had a hard time digesting it.

We often gave her jello, oatmeal (diluted w/ milk), chicken congee (chinese soup - chicken/rice soup), mashed potatoes...She loved ice cream, but would have stomach pains after because it's high in fat. We asked for her meals to be pureed - carrots, peas, pureed beef, etc. I feel awful for even doing/saying this...but there were times when she didn't want to eat or she ate very little and we (myself, my dad/sister/brother)...were very mean to say that, if she didn't eat, she wouldn't get strong...and we told her that it's the cancer that's taking her appetite away and she's letting the cancer beat her...stuff like that. I feel awful now, but at that time, we just wanted her to keep fighting. You might want to try some herbal remedies (but ask the doctor first for approval).

I hope I've helped a bit...if anything, just stay positive. Spend as much quality time as possible. Tell jokes...talk about the good ol' days...laugh. Stay strong and positive...

rechargeable · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: losing weight

reenie,

I think the general medical policy may be that if people can chew and swallow, then they don't get any kind of tubes put in them. But it can't hurt to ask the doctors. I think people may not have responded to your question because they just don't know the answer to it or have any experience with it.

I have my doubts that the doctors will be agreeable to this, but it can't hurt to ask -- There is something called a TPN line that feeds a milky looking substance directly into a central intravenous line. It can supply all the necessary sustenance a person requires for basic living, but it's definitely nothing that will make someone gain weight. If Sam has a central line in already for chemo, then perhaps they could just hook it up to that. If he's at home, it would probably require a nurse coming in daily to hook up the bag and everything. I think unhooking temporarily is pretty easy, for showers or just more mobility or whatever.

Again I don't know much about this. I only know about TPN lines because my mom just had to get one after a major stomach operation. My dad is having a lot of difficulty eating as well. At his next treatment, we're going to ask the doctor about getting a prescription for one of the various appetite-stimulating drugs. Sounds like you've already been down that road though.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

reenie · Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:27 am Post subject: Re: losing weight

Thank you. I know why people don't always answer, the same reason I don't, I guess I was just having a "moment".
Sam is able to eat, nothing appeals. That was up until we tried Megacces, which turned him into an eating fool! Maybe it can help your dad. I hope so. Reenie

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