Poor Appetite and Nausea

AuntPeggy

AuntPeggy

Final Approach
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Namaste
Over the past 8 weeks, I have lost my appetite. Eating or drinking anything (including water) makes me nauseous. For a while, I was eating 1/8 my normal meal size and feeling very full. I've managed to increase that to 1/4 and sometimes 1/2, but that can lead to upchucking. I've tried to be sure to snack often to keep my blood sugar up and my bowels working. The good news is that I've lost 18 lb. -- a much needed loss.

My regular doctor has done blood tests and only found my kidneys need me to be drinking more electrolyte water. A CT scan found nothing significant. I'm on the list to schedule a colonoscopy and whatever it is called, to scope out the other end, too. Has anyone ever heard of this? As a pilot, what do I have to consider? By the way, I've already self-grounded. Will only fly with Hubby.

Given the restrictions on my intake, what should I be eating? I haven't changed my normal diet, just eating considerably less than before. My doctor seems to be OK on this.
 
Whatever you've got, I need about 20 pounds worth.

But seriously, it doesn't sound like anything that has risen to the level of being reportable for flying purposes.
 
My very uneducated opinion is to keep doing what your doctor is asking of you. Especially appropriate hydration.

If sipping water is getting "boring", try making your own popsicles that will satisfy your sweet tooth, provide some fluids, carbs, and electrolytes, and not create difficulties for other areas of care/treatment.

As far as flying, I think you're doing the right thing by the IM SAFE risk assessment system by grounding yourself. On return to flying, I'd say once you're back on an even keel with energy levels back at norms, then do a consult with an AME to not only gain their opinion for the immediate sense, but what items you should be rounding up from the doctors and diagnostics before their memory errodes. As you know, having all of this available when time to renew the medical is easier than not having it. Better for the AME/FAA to say, "We only need a few of the bits you have, and we can approve you" than, "We require more than you brought, and you're still grounded until you go get it".
 
While I envy the weight loss I don't envy the medical concerns. I hope your docs find an easy solution to a minor problem.
 
AuntPeggy said:
I'm on the list to schedule a colonoscopy and whatever it is called, to scope out the other end, too. Has anyone ever heard of this? .
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The good old " Rotisserie Chicken" as my doctor calls it.
 
i would be operating at mil power looking for the worst case ... CT head abd chest and pelvis and all labs & other tests for a female assuming aunt peggy is a lady. eat calories. come back to flying when this is done and over. I had a pilot with west nile virus ... took a month to find it and 6 mo to recuperate and another 2 to get his medical back. He is back hauling U and me across the friendly skies.
 
Time to indulge yourself. Whatever looks or sounds yummy. You can eat all the high calorie foods I am forever avoiding. Hope it gets worked out.
 
Thanks for all the replies.
Had West Nile back when it first hit the US. That's not it.
CT scan chest and pelvis, not head.
Snacking includes a previously forbidden box of chocolates I got for Christmas from son-in-law. At least there are some benefits.
Aunt Peggy is a 72-year-old great-grandmother. Not pregnant.
Could not tolerate the Gatorade and derivatives, so am adding a spoon of lemon juice to 17 oz bottles of electrolyte water. Forcing myself to drink 4 a day.
 
Ask your doc about a diet for weight gain. I'm guessing he will have contacts with a nutritionist that can get a good idea from her on what you need to do to either gain or maintain weight until all this is sorted out.

I did a 5 second Google search and came up with this:

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/educatio...ple_menu_high-calorie_and_high-protein_meals/

There should be something you can find that you agree with.
 
Matthew said:
Ask your doc about a diet for weight gain. I'm guessing he will have contacts with a nutritionist that can get a good idea from her on what you need to do to either gain or maintain weight until all this is sorted out.

I did a 5 second Google search and came up with this:

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/educatio...ple_menu_high-calorie_and_high-protein_meals/

There should be something you can find that you agree with.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I just followed the link. The breakfast on the first day is about as much as I can manage in one day.
 
Did you start any new medications before this happened? I'm sure your doctor would have asked the same question. Also, how is your sense of smell? If you can't smell food it isn't appetizing.
 
What ever it is, I'm wishing you a speedy recovery....
 
Answering only in regards to the food request, and wishing you all the best in every other regard...

You might do a high-cal, nutrient-dense, frozen smoothie (think Wendy's Frosty consistency). You can blend one up and work at it all day, keeping it in the fridge or freezer.
I pick from a variety of the following to make either a fruity or chocolate-compatible flavor profile:

Carbs
- frozen fruit like bananas (peel before freezing!), berries, mango, pineapple, or other bagged frozen fruits available at Trader Joe's or Costco and such
- frozen baked/mashed sweet potato

Protein
- protein powder (vegan blend, whey concentrate, casein, etc. - with the fewest additives I can find)
- soft-boiled eggs
- milk

Fat
- raw egg yolks
- canned coconut milk/cream (Thai Kitchen, organic w/o carageenan)
- full-fat cream
- avocado (works great to make any combo creamy, without adding any noticeable flavor)

Spices
- cocoa powder
- salt
- vanilla
- cinnamon

Liquid (only as needed in order to blend)
- water
- fruit juice
 
Get a scrip for marijuana. Nausea and appetite are the main reason it's prescibed.
 
Stewartb said:
Get a scrip for marijuana. Nausea and appetite are the main reason it's prescibed.
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Dr. C always says 'get healthy first, they worry about flying', but I wonder what the Fed. Air Surgeon has to say about cannabis use affecting medical flight qualification? If only for political reasons and not medical ones, he may have to toe the prohibition line drawn by federal law. Your Rx records are not confidential medical information where the gov't is concerned.

And do feel better, AP.
 
DJTorrente said:
Dr. C always says 'get healthy first, they worry about flying', but I wonder what the Fed. Air Surgeon has to say about cannabis use affecting medical flight qualification? If only for political reasons and not medical ones, he may have to toe the prohibition line drawn by federal law. Your Rx records are not confidential medical information where the gov't is concerned.
Click to expand...

If I were in that situation and thought cannabis might help, I'd just skip the scrip and score the weed the old-school way. The last time I fired up a spliff was almost 40 years ago, back when they still put people in jail for it, but it wasn't at all difficult to score. Nowadays, I doubt it would take more than 10 minutes.

AP, while you're waiting for the tests, you may want to consider consulting a nutritionist. I'd also suggest that you consider trying ginger candy, preferably from one of those left-wing, tree-hugging, all-natural-and-organic, hippie health food stores. In other words, real ginger candy. Or just mix some ginger into some Pedialyte or Gatorade and sip on it throughout the day, especially before, during, and immediately after meals. Ginger is a powerful anti-emetic.

In any case, get well soon.

Rich
 
One of my students (a fellow pilot no less) had similar symptoms, turns out she has giardia.
 
Sorry to hear about this, Aunt Peggy.

My Dad had a similar problem several years ago. He went to SEVERAL doctors with no diagnosis. Then, he just happened to go to a doctor who had run into it before, and he was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia. He had to take monthly Vitamin B12 shots the rest of his life, but that solved the problem. Strange disease.
 
steingar said:
One of my students (a fellow pilot no less) had similar symptoms, turns out she has giardia.
Click to expand...

My oldest son had that (couldn't remember the spelling close enough to get a hit from google!) when he was about 3. It took a good month to get rid of. Our pediatrician said at that time he'd just go ahead and prescribe the medicine and see if it worked because the test involved getting a sample of stomach contents which involved a tube down the throat. (This was 25 years ago so it may be easier now.)

Anyway, the symptoms do match and it's worth asking the Dr. Hope you're better soon.

John
 
steingar said:
One of my students (a fellow pilot no less) had similar symptoms, turns out she has giardia.
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Folks get that here quite often. They see the lovely mountain stream flowing during their nice hike in the woods and they drink... And then they think they have a little tummy problem or the flu and it doesn't go away... Heh. Nasty.

Also pretty common to see dogs get it that way also, and shelter dogs pass it around.
 
Well, thanks, folks. Saw another specialist and he says not a vitamin problem. Not giardia. Number 1 suspect is ulcer, followed closely by celiac disease. Bringing up the rear (lol) is colon cancer or some other colon disease. Going in for tests. Have lost a total of 20 lb. in 2 months and doctors say that maintaining my normal diet, but eating far less than normal is ok. I indulge in a piece of candy from time to time to bring up my energy level and that is ok. As mentioned, I'm pleased with the weight loss.

The surprise is the suggestion for an ulcer because my parents both had ulcers and I know they suffered pain all the time. According to the latest doctor, after 50, pain is not a symptom of ulcer, but loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea are. We'll see.

It will take a while to get the tests. Two are scheduled and another is approved, but not scheduled yet. I guess I'm getting my money's worth on the health insurance this year after decades of hardly using any of it.
 
I had an ulcer; did not eat a bite for 5 days. Just no appetite. Kinda scary, I love my vittles.
GI doc gave me one nexium sample in the office and I wanted a burger on the way home. Hope yours is similar.
 
One can actually hope for an ulceration, it is the most easily treatable of the conditions mentioned. I recall after my colonoscopy having no appetite at all for a week. Easy way to loose weight.

Good luck, I hope it works out.
 
Well, I had the tests and so far we just have a longer list of what is not wrong. Add to the list, no ulcer, no cilliac disease, no cancer, no crohns disease, no colitis. They verified long-time GERD, which I knew about, but is not the reason for my current distress. Other minor discrepancies have been found that don't require any treatment. I'm 72, after all. BTW, weight loss has gone to 24 lb. I've been forcing myself to eat despite the nausea and no appetite.
 
DJTorrente said:
Dr. C always says 'get healthy first, they worry about flying', but I wonder what the Fed. Air Surgeon has to say about cannabis use affecting medical flight qualification? If only for political reasons and not medical ones, he may have to toe the prohibition line drawn by federal law. Your Rx records are not confidential medical information where the gov't is concerned.

And do feel better, AP.
Click to expand...

Since Cannabis is federally a Schedule I drug with "no accepted medical use", the FAA would consider its use simply a criminal history of illegal drug use. This would not bode well for your certificate(s).
 
Diverticulitis is a possibility. Mine caused nausea and loss of appetite, but not as severe as yours.
 
bullwinkle said:
Since Cannabis is federally a Schedule I drug with "no accepted medical use", the FAA would consider its use simply a criminal history of illegal drug use. This would not bode well for your certificate(s).
Click to expand...
That is not going to happen. I first had the opportunity to indulge in Jr. High and gave it a pass then and throughout the 60s, 70s, etc. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I avoid all intoxicants of every level.
 
I am not a doc so I will not speculate. Here is wishing you a speedy recovery
 
I went through the same thing, persistent nausea for about six months, no physical explanation. It went away. The flora in our guts is the unexplored country of medicine. Eat granola and yogurt and drink lots of water. I get migraines and I'm 100% convinced it is a gut flora issue.

It can also be a psychiatric issue, it can never hurt to visit with a psyche doctor just to talk.
 
bluerooster said:
How's your pancreas?
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Significant question. The pancreas is responsible for digestive enzymes among other things. Nausea and vomiting point to it, but I'd suspect abdominal pain associated with this, also maybe diarrhea. A blood test should be able to check pretty easily. Some medicines can cause this. Gallstones can also cause the problem as well as too much alcohol.

Not a doctor - but been in league with too many lately.
 
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