1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Caregiver's changes in appetite

Posted by chris20 @chris20, Jun 16 1:26pm

I wonder if anyone else is experiencing a loss of appetite due to caregiver stress. And sense of humor as well. I start out the day pretty upbeat, even looking forward to some of the routines and errands planned. Breakfast tastes good, and we both eat a healthy one, with fresh fruit and cereal and toast, or eggs. By noon, I am not very hungry, but I will fix us something, usually not fast food or microwave meals. By supper time I have no appetite at all, and nothing seems to have any taste. I fix a meal but don't eat much, and honestly, my wife eats too much. My sense of humor is starting to improve lately, but for the past several years it has gone downhill.
Any ideas or suggestions?

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 16 8:21pm

@chris20 I am so sorry that you feel the way you do. You may be experiencing some depression. I’m not a doctor so don’t take my word for it. But, I would suggest that you speak with your primary care physician. You may not like the idea of depression, but it’s so real. With all that you have been dealing with these years, a case of depression would not surprising. I was also diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants. The medicine hasn’t changed my personality or my ability to function. Quite the opposite, they have made it possible for me to be myself without crying and having no energy.
Or maybe you just need a day or two of respite care. A day to do something fun, visit with friends, or just do nothing. Let yourself heal.
What do you think your doctor would advise?

REPLY
2 replies
chris20 | @chris20 | Jun 17 6:51am
In reply to @becsbuddy "@chris20 I am so sorry that you feel the way you do. You may be experiencing..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@chris20 I am so sorry that you feel the way you do. You may be experiencing some depression. I’m not a doctor so don’t take my word for it. But, I would suggest that you speak with your primary care physician. You may not like the idea of depression, but it’s so real. With all that you have been dealing with these years, a case of depression would not surprising. I was also diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants. The medicine hasn’t changed my personality or my ability to function. Quite the opposite, they have made it possible for me to be myself without crying and having no energy.
Or maybe you just need a day or two of respite care. A day to do something fun, visit with friends, or just do nothing. Let yourself heal.
What do you think your doctor would advise?

Jump to this post

I see what you are saying, and I appreciate it very much. Yes, I have talked with my Dr. about this, and faithfully took antidepressants for over two years, Zoloft which after a year and a half hadn't done much of anything, Lexapro with the same disappointing results, and more recently Trazodone to help with the insomnia. Had some psychological counseling as well, when I could arrange it. I take all prescribed medications religiously and administer my wife's the same way. Not sure what I am missing...

REPLY
jan83404 | @jan83404 | Jun 17 11:42am

chris20, I think I may be 2 steps ahead of where you are. I started my day off just like you. By dinner I was throwing half of my meal away. I’m an epileptic and could sense that I wasn’t in perfect control of my condition. I called my stepson, who’s a teacher, and asked if he could stay with his dad for a week. I am enjoying time alone about 2 hours away from home. I am taking time to care for ME! I have found my laughter, my appetite, and myself again. I was so tense without knowing it that my muscles cramped as I relaxed. Today is Day 3. I’m loving this and will go home a much more peaceful and loving caregiver.

REPLY
1 reply
chris20 | @chris20 | Jun 17 12:13pm
In reply to @jan83404 "chris20, I think I may be 2 steps ahead of where you are. I started my..." + (show)
@jan83404

chris20, I think I may be 2 steps ahead of where you are. I started my day off just like you. By dinner I was throwing half of my meal away. I’m an epileptic and could sense that I wasn’t in perfect control of my condition. I called my stepson, who’s a teacher, and asked if he could stay with his dad for a week. I am enjoying time alone about 2 hours away from home. I am taking time to care for ME! I have found my laughter, my appetite, and myself again. I was so tense without knowing it that my muscles cramped as I relaxed. Today is Day 3. I’m loving this and will go home a much more peaceful and loving caregiver.

Jump to this post

I love this! It offers some real hope that with one or two decisions we can get back on track. I have tried everything from antidepressants (long term), counseling, self help programs, prayer, meditation, etc etc. It could be it's as simple as telling my adult children I need them to take their mother for a couple of weeks, for my own sanity.

REPLY
chris20 | @chris20 | Jun 17 8:34pm
In reply to @jan83404 "Prayers are a must! 😉" + (show)
@jan83404

Prayers are a must! 😉

Jump to this post

I'm sure you are right.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 18 1:12pm
In reply to @chris20 "I'm sure you are right." + (show)
@chris20

I'm sure you are right.

Jump to this post

@chris20 Chris, did you see this? You might be interested in joining this Caregiver support group. Everyone in the caregivers group can join!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/caregiver-support-group-meeting-3-8191/
How do you think this might help you?

REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Jun 18 2:05pm
In reply to @becsbuddy "@chris20 I am so sorry that you feel the way you do. You may be experiencing..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@chris20 I am so sorry that you feel the way you do. You may be experiencing some depression. I’m not a doctor so don’t take my word for it. But, I would suggest that you speak with your primary care physician. You may not like the idea of depression, but it’s so real. With all that you have been dealing with these years, a case of depression would not surprising. I was also diagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants. The medicine hasn’t changed my personality or my ability to function. Quite the opposite, they have made it possible for me to be myself without crying and having no energy.
Or maybe you just need a day or two of respite care. A day to do something fun, visit with friends, or just do nothing. Let yourself heal.
What do you think your doctor would advise?

Jump to this post

Hi @chris20, I'm caregiver to my husband who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2019.
In 2020 I started experiencing a number of strange symptoms, which lasted over a year before I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Two symptoms are anorexia, a complete loss of appetite and malaise, an all encompassing feeling that sucks all energy and enthusiasm. I lost about 13 pounds, and basically forced myself to eat.
GCA is treated with steroids, which increase appetite. Type II diabetes can result - so I still watch what I eat.
My husband is very food oriented and he's started to forget that he already ate. He's always looking in the fridge, hoping that some new food will magically appear. He loves everything. I make our meals from scratch and have healthy snacks on hand. He's gained about 10 pounds, but he was skeletal before so he's healthier now.
I make numerous stupid jokes throughout the day as he gets the jokes and we laugh a lot together. I'm grateful for his good disposition.
I can leave him for a few hours so I volunteer in the Archives of the local museum once a week, which I enjoy.
This isn't a sprint or even a marathon, it's a test of endurance.
I wish you the best.

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