OT- Weight GAIN ideas

[peglem]

My MIL has for the last 4 months or so been rapidly losing weight. She's had all kinds of tests- all negative- for all kinds of GI problems. She's in her mid seventies. Right now, she is really scared that she's dying. She's trying to eat a lot and drinks the high protein Boost shakes, but still not gaining weight. She's so bony and frail looking and I'm scared for her too. So, we need ideas for how to put on weight and build muscle. It seems like everything out there is to help people lose weight.

[milivica]

I don't know if this would be right for her, but my friend has a son with Spina Bifida, after getting a trache he was like NOT willing to eat food again. I think he felt it was about to choke him, I've seen him get that 'look' like he can't breathe, when swallowing. So he pretty much lives on (I believe it is called) Pediasure, and even that she has to bribe him to drink sometimes. If I said the correct name, it's got all the vitamins, minerals and so on - however, it probably has casein which might really irritate her gut even more. I think of casein and gluten, as a protein that is shaped like one of those chinese throwing stars, know what I mean?

That's all I can think of other than things like Rice with things known to be soothing. Aloe vera pills before eating or after - not sure how they are supposed to be taken.

Gosh that sounds so scary, I'm real sorry to hear she's going through that, how frightening. I wonder how things like avocado would be for her? Even fruits. I suppose look up the things known to be most gentle on the stomach.

That's all just my guesses, I don't really know.
My best to her, that's scary.
Mili

[milivica]

Here's the PediaSure site
http://www.pediasure.com/index.aspx

On the top toward the center, you can click on FAQ's, or click on PediaSure next to FAQ, then I think click on Nutrition, and it will show you all the PediaSure they have, and you can access exactly what is in each one in terms of nutrition and ingredients.

[callyflower]

I would think it would be time for some other testing--thyroid, adrenals, reproductive system. Simply trying to gain weight without knowing the reason for the loss will be difficult, if not impossible.

Good luck.

Cally

[peglem]

I would think it would be time for some other testing--thyroid, adrenals, reproductive system. Simply trying to gain weight without knowing the reason for the loss will be difficult, if not impossible.

Good luck.

Cally

She's had the thyroid and adrenals checked-normal. Reproductive system? How would that be involved? She had a hysterectomy years ago- after my husband was born. Not sure what the problem was- fibroids maybe? She IS eating and the Boost is total nutrition, w/ extra protein. It seems like the only thing they haven't checked is CNS. She's had problems with her spine for about 20 years- could that be involved? What about pain meds- for her spinal problems. I need to do a check on oxycodone.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

If she's eating tons and still losing & it's not thyroid, then it might be a good idea to have her checked by a geriatric specialist. It may be something that is age specific.

[callyflower]

I was thinking reproductive mainly for the cancer aspect that can affect those organs. Since she's had a hyster, that's unlikely.

Very strange....has she had a lung scan? I doubt spinal difficulties could cause it unless she's either in too much pain to eat or too drugged from pain meds to remember to eat properly.

Boost is "ok" but has so much sugar it actually is kind of "junky with vitamins added." I have trouble keeping weight on when my autoimmune disease is active and I have used Boost, but feel much better when I can do without it. If she does use it, have her down a can after eating a full meal. If she drinks it before or between meals, she won't have an appetite for real food. Also, try to limit sugars elsewhere in her diet.

This is so puzzling....

Cally

[peglem]

Gosh, just looked up her pain med- oxycodine...she's got many of the side affects. She's so excited, because this looks like it may be the problem. She's also got respiratory depression and heart palpitations. To top it all off, her dr. gave her ativan to help her sleep. She's going to the dr. tomorrow to get her meds changed. And, anorexia is a rare, but possible side affect. She said to thank you all for trying to help.

[mrsjerome]

Has your mil had an upper endoscopy? The reason I ask is that my husband also experienced weight loss. He lost like 40 lbs. over a 9 month period. The Gastro Dr. did an endoscopy and found ulcers and a condition called Barrett's esophagas. He did take tissue samples and it showed the cause was H.PYlori Bacteria. He was put on anti-biotics for a couple of weeks and told to take aciphex twice daily. The Dr. did another endoscopy 3 months later and the inflamation had subsided. He still has him on the aciphex. He did gain back about 5 lbs. and his weight has remained stable. Don't know if this is what is causing your mil problems or not. Weight Loss can be caused by a variety of things. Also medications can cause some weight losses too. Best is to get a full evaluation from her Dr.
My husband never complained about stomach problems. One would think he would have had some pain there.
Hope your MIL finds out what the cause is. Does she complain of anything bothering her?
Best of wishes for her
mrsJ

[dcristo]

Eating right is fundamental to weight gain. Follow the diet plan outlined on this page http://www.gainingweight.info/weight-gain-diet-and-nutrition/

[RathyKay]

Sounds like her pain med is a good place to start. I was really thinking along the lines of MrsJ and an endoscopy, although I was leaning toward celiac or gluten sensitivity. Last I checked, PediaSure was GF, but I think most have dairy (and I don't like dairy, either;)). Let us know how she does.

[Keggy]

I watched my husband eat like a horse and drop tons of weight for months.... it was diabetes. Its a simple blood test..
There are products out there for adding pounds. I had a few friends that were very underweight, and I know of kids who are HIV that needed to add pounds.

[peglem]

My MIL has an HMO that has its own clinics. She's gone through test after test. A month or so ago, I took her to the ER w/ heart palpatations and trouble breathing. Once they had scanned her lungs and did an EKG they started acting like she was an old lady faking for attention. She'd gone to urgent care about a week before that. Well, yesterday she called for a same day appointment- her reg. doctor is on vacation so she went to his associate. He said that its undoubtedly the pain med and its a very common reaction to it.:mad: This woman has been so terrified the last couple of months-actually preparing for her imminant death. Constantly going to the doctor, test after test after test-all negative. Every doctor was supplied with a list of her meds. Now, since her reg. doctor is on vacation and she has a contract with him (guess they are doing that now ith narcotics), they want to wait til he's back from vacation to change her meds. They gave her an appointment for in a month!:eek: The prescription is for the time released capsules so she can't even cut dosage. She's very relieved right now, having finally figured out what's wrong, but in the difficult situation of still needing pain relief, but knowing the pain reliever is making her ill. I hope if she keeps bugging them they'll get her in sooner than a month to take care of this...they should have figured it out much sooner.