Loss of Appetite & Taste with bronchiectasis & IPF

Hi @totty. I had IPF and went down to about 95 lbs due to lack of appetite. My doctor had me drinking Ensure or Boost protein shakes (the ones higher in protein) 4x a day. I had a hard time eating pretty much anything that was dry. I would eat PBJ with extra jelly to make it more moist (and extra calories). I tried to eat very high calorie items to try to keep on some weight. You might want to try to give him juice or milkshakes. I wasn't able to do that because I was stuck in my bedroom at the end, since I couldn't do stairs for a while before my surgery. Good luck.

Hi @totty, in addition to the helpful reply from @chickytina, I added your discussion to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

You might also be interested in these related discussions:
- Big 3 and weight loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/big-3-and-weight-loss/
- Appetite stimulants: Has anyone tried anything that works? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/appetite-stimulants/

Totty, do you think that the loss of taste and appetite might be related to the medications?

I had no appetite, and almost no energy to eat, when I was on the big 3. While I did not lose my sense of taste, it was horribly distorted - for example, V-8 juice and salsa, 2 things I have always loved, had a horrible metallic taste. Marinara sauces had to be heavily spiced and full of garlic, or they were metallic as well. It took a long time after the antibiotics stopped before my appetite returned.
Sue

There are many ways to increase appetite with these debilitating conditions. I was prescribed medical marijuana to help with appetite. Since I am not a “party kind of gal” I really did not make good use of it, so I was then prescribed Marinol which is a pill. It was very helpful at increasing my appetite. I found that you can have all the high calorie foods and drinks on the market, but if your appetite is non existent it doesn’t matter. Good luck. Quality of life is everything! irene5

I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and NTM a year and a half ago. I am not and have not been on the big three. But last fall I lost my appetite and foods I ordinarily ate just didn’t taste good. I try to eat healthy but I started eating the fast food my husband would bring home, just because I needed something to eat and it tasted good to me. I typically pass on fast food. I also supplemented with Orgain nutritional and protein shakes. I went to NJH last December and the nutritionist recommended eating a cup of pecans a day and supplementing with Kates Farm nutritional drinks-the ones marked 1.5 and 1.4. Those particular ones are higher in calories. You have to order from their website. They are plant based. My appetite finally picked up so I never ordered them.

Did you put into practice any of the nutritionist’s suggestions and if so, which ones? Did your sense of
taste return? One cup of pecans a day is a lot! Thank you so much for the details you shared and thanks in advance for answers to these question.