She won't eat. How can we improve her appetite?

Thank you for your reply. She's 45 with a glioblastoma, 4th stage, though we really haven't been told much about stage ... only that it's very, very bad. Thanks to God and a super medical team at Duke, we've been given 8 more months with her since her diagnosis. She does have some issues, but we're still able to visit and talk with her at home. She's lost her short-term memory and is paralyzed on her left side, but her loss of appetite concerns us the most. She has no desire to eat anything, so my fear is that it wouldn't matter how good a food tastes; she wants no part of it. We will take a look at the book, though. Might come in good one day. Thank you!!!

I'm very sorry to hear this, and am glad you can be with her. See what the doctors can prescribe in terms of increasing appetite that won't have side effects that might stress her out. I think marinol can be be prescribed even in states without legal or medical marijuana. Is she getting any adjunctive palliative care for pain and symptoms? A palliative care doctor or team might also know what to prescribe. And often patients can have this support along with oncology. Wishing you and your family all the best.

My husband had no appetite, but I got him to eat Entemanns chocolate covered donuts. Then I got him to drink Pure Protein vanilla drinks. It was challenging and concerning, but we got through this period. So anything she can tolerate (for me, I could only suck on chocolate squares during a bad stretch), is a start. Best wishes

Hello, I’m going to bring up RSO or Rick Simpson oil. No smoking. Just put a little oil on a cracker will help with appetite without getting high. Comes in a syringe easy to use. Just look it up. Might just be what you’re looking for. Hope this helps made a big difference for my appetite when I had no appetite. Didn’t have to worry about getting high.

Also not expensive. Doctors might write prescription for her.

Hi, When I was going through my treatment, I would mash everything or blend anything possible to get it down.

What insurance does she have? I am medical billing specialist. If she in on one of the “DECEITFUL “ Medicare Advantage Plan-or Medicare Replacement Plan- get her back on Medicare. Straight Medicare will cover most of everything. If your Advantage Plan tells you you can’t change til open enrollment, that is a lie. PERIOD. Everyone in the United States can return to Government Medicare at anytime regardless of open enrollment, these plans lie because they would loose money. Just last week I helped someone go back. I would bet a Medicare drug plan would cover this cost. FYI-to all others on this site. Advantage Plans DO NOT pay for almost any type of wound care for foot and leg ulcers. They absolutely will not cover any high tech graphs that heal diabetic or vascular ulcers. MEDICARE covers all with your secondary. Plans will cover to amputate though. Sorry to get off topic. —- If she is on replacement plan call Medicare I am about sure they would cover drug cost so she could have help to eat. I have been in that position before too. If you are unable to figure out how to do this message me back and I will help you. Julie

Hey Julie, Thank you for sharing this information for my daughter. As a diabetic, I'm also interested to read the other part of your message. Thank you! An earlier commenter suggested we go back to the doctor at Duke, which we did, and she prescribed a different medication that insurance will cover. Thankfully, our Kelly's appetite is back and she's eating great! Whew!!!

I've always heard once a person chooses to go to Medicare Advantage choices, they've forfeited any opportunity to return to original Medicare! Along w my secondary insurance, I've always retained original Medicare and have been pleased with any outcomes. But I know alot of people who wished they'd never changed. Is it really as simple as calling Medicare? Is there a (permanent) penalty?

I took THC gummies when I was going through chemo (I still take them for sleep issues)

It was the only thing that helped with appetite