NO appetite, nausea, losing weight,

Wow; you are a wealth of information! I have given me a lot to think about, and I will start researching. I believe the Upper Endoscopy is what I am waiting to get. We have only one Gastroenterologist in our area, so it is taking a very long time to get anything done.
You are spot on about doctors now; they are not taught to get us well, but to keep us on "drugs" they want us to have; rarely do they help. I am very discouraged about doctors. Thank you again for caring enough to send me all this great information.

My memory is failing. Correction, I did have to pay upfront for the 1st visit over the phone, before I was seen. It was $250. A whole lot better than $2,000!

Your welcome, I have learned all this the hard way. Sad, but it is true. Wish it was different.

I had this problem from long Covid and lost 20 pounds. Had no desire to eat and suffered with nausea. My psychiatrist suggested Mirtazapine, an antidepressant that he gives cancer patients to help with appetite stimulation. It helped! It took a long time, but I was able to regain the weight I lost. I also went to a dietician who helped me learn how to eat 2100 calories a day to gain about a pound per month. You need to eat high protein, high calorie foods and beverages. I was able to drink smoothies on days that I could not face eating food. Hope this helps. It is awful not having an appetite. And everyone would just say "oh I wish I had that problem" which did not help a bit! Praying for you!

I have tried Mirtazapine; cannot take it. I've tried many antidepressants, but my system won't tolerate any of them. Thank you for your prayers.

@animallover25 Pricey phone call...They do find ways to get us.

I’m sorry to hear about your illness, but it is confining to hear about someone who is going through what I had in 2023. I had exactly the same symptoms a month after Covid: total loss of appetite, dry heaves, extreme weight loss, weakness, etc. After a lot of doctors and a motility test, I was finally diagnosed with viral gastroparisis. I got no relief through the usual meds. but it was good to get a name for what was happening. Although it took a while, I finally got an appointment with a motility specialist in Philadelphia who also put me on mirtazapine which turned the corner. Doctors aren’t quite sure why it works but it does. Stick with the program. Eventually a psychiatrist got me off the mirtazapine very easily. Good luck in the journey.

@dorma, thank you for sharing more about your health history and what is going on now. Not being heard by your doctor(s) and not feeling comfortable that you are on a path to feeling better is frustrating.

I am in a good place in that I have providers that are patient with me and want to understand how I am feeling, though this has not always been the case. You mention that you have been counseled to speak up for yourself. Wise counsel! I have also learned it is helpful to take someone with me to my appointments and make a list of questions I have. I “star” the top one(s) that I do not want to leave my appointment without having a satisfactory resolution/next step about. I know providers have limited time to spend with me and they have specific things they want address, so I usually feel like I really do not know what to expect from appointments. Having my “have to get an answer” question written down reminds to, well…..get an answer.

You mention waiting for an upper GI test at the surgery center. Here is an overview of an upper endoscopy if that is the test your doctor is referring to. It provides an overview of why the test is being done and what to expect.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endoscopy/about/pac-20395197

Are you thinking the intestinal surgery you had years ago may be causing problems now? When do you see your doctor again, and do you have a friend/family that could go with you?

So right about advocating for oneself…ideally, patients and doctors have a very interactive relationship…i also make a list of my questions along with a brief progress and/or symptom report…it becomes part of my medical record..sometimes i can’t find someone to come with me to the doctor, so this helps everyone. . (Some appointments do require you to have someone to take you home.)

@dorma
Well, it was paying upfront for my first visit, fyi. Like a deposit to secure your appointment, so you don't cancel kinda thing.