Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Ask the Experts about Nutrition and Exercise
95 year old man will not eat
Aug 18, 2008
My 95 year old dad's been in the hospital for 2 weeks. We brought him in because he stopped eating and then drinking. They hydrated him with potassium and saline or suger water until 2 days ago. 4 days ago they gave hime something to make food flow easier through the digestive track and increase appetite. Not sure what that was, but I think the drug began with an "R". They say there is nothing else they can do. He is alert and says he is full, not hungry and feels sick to his stomach. He won't drink the liquid for a cat scan. They found he had a bladder infection, which they treated and anemia which they did not. He seems to be able to swallow the small morsels we convince him to eat, but does not enjoy the food. He has had dementia/Alzheimers symtoms for about 7 years now. Is there anything left we can do?
Response from Mr. Vergel
I am so sorry to hear about your father's condition. It must be very difficult for him and you guys.
They probably prescribed Remeron, an antidepressant that increases appetite in some patients
Talk to his doctor about using TPN intraveneous feeding that contains esential fatty acids, glutamine and vitamins
There is also Oxandrin, an oral agent approved for intentional weight loss
Megace increases appetite but the weight gain is mostly fat and we have seen no survival benefits of using that drug in HIV, but it could also be an option to discuss.
nelson
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
