Depressed husband, eating fine but losing extreme weight

Posted by pdnorm @pdnorm, Jul 11, 2018

My husband has been suffering from severe depression for the last year. Last month he "accidently" over dosed on his pain Meds. He had just started taking Serequel and Zoloft a week before, so I don't know if that had anything to do with that incident or not. But I've got him off pain med completely, but he had been loosing weight for the last year, so fast, he looks like he's been in a concentration camp. He's a walking skeleton. I feed him all day. I buy special premier protein drinks, he eats about a carton of ice cream daily. He's had blood word done. He was in the hospital for a week last month. There is no explanation why he is so thin. I keep begging dr's. Run more test but they keep saying he needs to eat more. I'm afraid they are going to think Im starving my husband. How do I prove to them he eats and snacks all day but continues to loose weight. His normal weight is 190 he is At 140 size 29 pant. Any suggestions out there would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 27, 2018

Thanks for inviting me into the discussion Teresa @hopeful33250. Hello @pdnorm -- I know it can be a little scary when looking for medical information on the Internet and it can sometimes be misleading. I think the links Teresa provided on Mayo Clinics website can give you a general idea of what the conditions are but it is probably best to discuss how it relates to your husbands condition with his doctor. I would make a list of the questions that are popping into your mind and have them written down so that when you meet with the doctor you can go over your questions with the doctor and hopefully get some answers.

John

pdnorm | @pdnorm | Jul 27, 2018

Thank you Gail and John, and Teresa and everyone who cares. Much love in return

Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Aug 2, 2018

Hi, @pdnorm -- wondering how things are going with your husband? How are you doing?

pdnorm | @pdnorm | Sep 2, 2018

Still the same, weight high 130’s Ct scan ok still searching.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 29, 2018

In reply to @pdnorm "Still the same, weight high 130’s Ct scan ok still searching." + (show)

Hello @pdnorm
I just noticed that your last post was a while ago. Has your husband improved any or have his doctor's found a reason?

pdnorm | @pdnorm | Oct 29, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @pdnorm I just noticed that your last post was a while ago. Has your husband..." + (show)

I have been able to stabilize his weight, using Hemp oil, also started high doses of Cbd has really help with his panic attacks!! He has an colonoscopy done last week showed a few polyps, but Dr,s still can’t find out anything. His concentration level is horrible, it’s like I’m raising a toddler. Non of the oils have any psycho effects. Weight it’s up to 150. I CERTAINLY attribute that to the help oil. Thanks for asking Teresa

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 30, 2018

In reply to @pdnorm "I have been able to stabilize his weight, using Hemp oil, also started high doses of..." + (show)

I appreciate your update, @pdnorm. I am glad to hear that his weight is up but I can understand your concern about his behavior and concentration.

I don't recall if you mentioned his past medical history, but I'm wondering if he has seen a gerontologist (MD who specializes in aging adults). Because of the combination of weight loss and concentration, perhaps a neuropsych exam at a multidisciplinary medical center might also be a good idea.

Has the behavior/concentration problems increased with the increase in the Hemp and CBD? I'm wondering about how they might affect older adults. Generally, older adults assimilate drugs slower than younger people so that might be an issue to run by a good gerontologist.

Here is a link to a good article from the US Food and Drug Administration about medications, herbal products, etc. for older people. I would encourage you to read it and then discuss with your husband's doctor,

https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm399834.htm

Here is the introduction to this article:

"Whether you’re settling into your sixties or heading into your ninth decade, be careful when taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, and supplements. And if you’re caring for older loved ones, help them stay safe, too.

Why the special concern? The older you get, the more likely you are to use additional medicines, which can increase the chance of harmful drug effects, including interactions. And, as you age, physical changes can affect the way medicines are handled by your body, leading to potential complications. For instance, your liver and kidneys may not work as well, which affects how a drug breaks down and leaves your body.

“There is no question that physiology changes as we age. Many chronic medical conditions don’t even appear until our later years,” explains RADM (Ret.) Sandra L. Kweder, M.D., F.A.C.P., a medical officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “It’s not that people are falling to pieces; some changes are just part of the normal aging process.”