Depressed husband, eating fine but losing extreme weight

Hello @pdnorm and welcome to Connect,

I am so sorry to hear that your husband is losing so much weight. Your concern is very appropriate. He is fortunate that you are there to advocate for him. You might consider keeping a journal of his meals and the time and quantities that he is eating. Perhaps that would give you and his doctors a better picture of his eating habits, weight and health. Is your husband able to exercise at all, perhaps take walks?

Please know that getting a second opinion is always appropriate when you don't feel like you are getting the answers that you need and especially if your husband is not responding to the current treatment.

Please keep in touch. I hope that you find some answers to help him.

Teresa

Thank you, Great advice!!!

@pdnorm

Your welcome and I look forward to hearing from you again!

Teresa

@pdnorm

Please have your husband’s doctor refer him to a gastroenterologist who can do an endoscopic ultrasound look at his pancreas. AN MRI of the pancreas may also be needed to get a good look at his pancreas. My cousin lost a large amount of weight suddenly, and after many tests they found pancreatic cancer. He is fine now, after undergoing chemotherapy. My mother also had pancreatic cancer and displayed the same symptoms you relate about your husband, except she couldn't eat. It took them over a year to find her cancer, but that was in 1993. There are much improved techniques for finding tiny tumors now.

Keep in mind that I'm not a medical professional, so I am only relating my personal experience. I'm hoping the best for you and your husband.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Thank you Gail . I appreciate any any everybody's ideas and certainly will have that looked into. Next Dr. Appt is Wed. The 18th. I'm glad your family is fine now. Thanks again

I’d be concerned too. I’d track what he eats every time. One week should be enough if you both testify that it’s average. He has to speak up too. I’d be concerned about diabetes, cancer and thyroid to start. Take some pics. And keep searching for a doc to listen. Good luck and love. Let us know how it goes.

Could it be an eating disorder?

He is a diabetic but is controlled with Metformin. I'm think now of pancreatic cancer. Looking at the symptoms and what Gail had said. It's scary, but next wed. Will explore this with Dr. I'm a cancer survivor, I had renal cell carcinoma. I had one kidney removed and have a 4 percent chance of it returning so I'm very thankful . Finding the right Dr. Makes all the difference. I'm in northern Utah and used Huntsmans Cancer ? Eating disorder no, he eats plenty it's going thru him. He had a colonoscopy less than six mon. Ago normal. It's crazy. I'm starting a journal of what he is eating . Thank everybody for helping

Had my husband get a CT SCAN with double contrast. I followed Gail advice and brought a journal for a week of every thing he ate, and a picture of him without a shit. The pancreas was normal, I got the results early from radiology, since his Dr. Is on vacation till next week. It did show ATHEROSCLEROSIS disease of the abdominal Aoorta with degeneratetive changes of the lumbar spine.. Also 2 low-attunation areas in the inferior pole of right Kidney, plus diverticulitis,and a hernia. Does anyone understand what the first two problems I mentioned. I won’t be able to talk to his Dr. For another week.. looking in the internet is confusing and scary. Anyone with experience? Would be gratefully appreciated. I got this far following your advice, people please keep it coming. Thank you so much

Hello @pdnorm

I appreciate your post. I'm so glad that cancer of the pancreas was ruled out. I'm sure you were relieved as well. I found some more information on the first two diagnosis you mentioned in your post.

Here is some information about the first diagnosis that you mentioned if you click on these links you will get more information, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350575

The degenerative changes of the lumbar spine speak of arthritis in the spine, here is a link regarding that https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/expert-answers/arthritis/faq-20058457

I am going to invite Volunteer Mentor, John Bishop, @johnbishop, into this conversation as well. He often does research on Google Scholar and can come up with some good information.

When your doctor returns will you be talking with him about what treatment will help your husband?

Teresa