Any caregivers gaining weight?

I feel for you husband. My husband does not eat much at all. He weights between 105 and 113. His weight fluctuates. Trying to get him to eat high calorie meals is a losing battle. Someone told me that WalMart has high calorie boost. He will drink boost but I have not been to walmart yet to get the high calorie. And I had to take time off from my part time job and the lost income is really hitting hard. I did get a gas card from the social worker at the hospital that will really help alot. Stay strong, my friend.

Same. We've got the high calorie Boost and he's been managing 2 a day but that's still only 1/3 of the calories he's been told to consume to maintain weight. (It's available on Amazon, by the way. Hopefully that helps so no fruitless searching happens for you). Found some recommendations for Boost Soothe on the Head and Neck Cancer subreddit as it's created for cancer patients with oral discomfort. Supposed to be just slightly thicker than water, clear, and I'm hoping he can turn to that when trying to eat to swallow down food. 300 calories per 8 oz.

Meanwhile MIL made greek stuffed veg that burned his mouth so... I guess I know who will be eating that for the next however many days. I can hear the scale screaming in fear already.

I understand that. I am not sure what greek stuffed vegetables are. I know about stuffed grape leaves, but I did not care for them much. But I would probably eat them too. My mom gave me a bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies and I can't leave them alone. I knew that would happen. Husband ate 1. I wish I could give him some of my fat. When I am depressed I don't have much self control when it comes to sweet stuff. My scale does not scream in fear) lol but in a very loud voice, it says "GET OFF!"

I too have gained weight. 15lbs since 2019 when my mother was diagnosed with dementia. I had been caring for her since 2004 before that and managed to not gain weight. I'm not eating more, and my doctor says stress and not getting regular and good sleep is the cause. Not getting good sleep and the enormous stress of caregiving can affect people differently. Please don't forget about good, regular sleep. I know personally that can be a challenge or nearly impossible, but it is just as important as maintaining a healthy diet. I hope you manage to keep the pounds off. My heart is with you.

Caregiving had the opposite effect on me. I was a busy guy trucking and farming which caused me to eat on the run,, junk food. Since I'm no longer doing that and am cooking for my wife and me I have lost 5 to 10 lbs and my blood sugar has dropped. It's hard during the holidays but I'm eating better. It's more work cooking and grocery shopping though

Yes, I am depressed and sad. Not to the point of being clinically depressed, but I know it is stress and depression. I don't feel like doing anything any more from just worrying about my husband. Worrying does not change anything, I know. Yesterday, I hardly ate anything at all. I need to start walking to my walking videos and doing some exercises. It is hard to eat healthy when everything healthy costs so much money. And mine is running out fast. Well, as I remind myself, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come and all we have is today. God bless you and have a Merry Christmas.

Hello overeaters,
I too feel your worries around weight gain. My husband has MCI for 14 years now. About year 5 into it i began eating from denial, arguing, and lots of sadness. Then depression (from personal body pain for 15 years) took over my life for the past 3 years. The good news is i made food diaries and found connections to inflammation/pain.
Today my physical pain is a 2-3 instead of 6-8 daily. Im a praying woman and i give God all the glory!
The depression has lifted and now im working on getting rid of 50Lbs. Im down 20, feel better, no longer pre diabetic, and am more successful in being a better wife to a gentle man who has MCI.
Food does comfort many personalities so i really understand your battle. Stay strong, and be gentle to yourself!
Whether you Pray, journal, or exercise, keep going! We can overcome being a slave to food.
My moto is “ONE DAY AT A TIME, NO GUILT, MOVE ON.”
I hope this encourages someone 😊.

Thanks for your understanding. You have been there. I was working part time as a cashier at a grocery store but had to quit recently so I could be home with my husband. He will be wearing his oxygen and then light a cigarette. I caught him doing that numerous times and I always tell him that he needs to stop doing that or he will really hurt himself. Or others. HIs answer was that he forgets but he never had a problem doing that. Plus many times he nods off while holding a lit cigarette. You would not believe the holes he has burnt into our living room furniture, the carpet, his blankets, and his bedroom floor. He has been on oxycodone for years due to spinal stenosis. I am surprised that he hasn't started a fire and burnt the house down. Now with his advanced copd and lung cancer, he gets confused and does not really know what he is doing most days. Everyday it is something new. I am so happy for you that you have taken control over your own body. I know that I need to do that or this will spiral out of control. Right now it is not too bad, but I keep on, the pounds will grow. I have some depression and don't feel like doing anything to change yet. I, too , am a believer and I pray also. But I need to get closer to God. My faith has been wavering and my trust. Still, I believe with all my heart that he is my savior. I need to spend more time with his word and praying more. I need to not only improve my relationship with God and get closer to helping get control of my own body. I hope you and your husband have a wonderful day and great New Year.

Hi Denise96,
Wow, your plate is so full! It really sounds like being home full time was timely. Ill be praying for safety around his smoking. My father use to do the same thing, Totally scarred.
Have you considered attending a support group? I attend one a month and plan on attending a second one each month. I believe having an outlet to share our successes and struggles, as well as supporting others in my group has healed heal my depression. Of course thats the beauty of Gods word. Take my eyes off myself by loving and giving to others.
I wish you well Denise, and hope you have support while navigating this ever changing road we have found ourselves on.

Thanks for your understanding. Yes, I have checked into meetings for caregivers and have not found one in my area or even within 25 miles. I live in Pa and they do have them in Pittsburgh and that is about an hour away. I do not drive to pittsburgh ever. All the traffic and I don't know my way around. Give me my two lane roads. lol But I will keep searching for one. Yes, I believe that it would help. Even texting on here helps. Have a great day!