Loss of appetite?

[chocolatelover_123]

Hi everyone.

It’s been a long time since I have posted but I haven’t forgotten about this forum. My first post was made when I was in university but now I’ve graduated and have started the big girl life with a big girl job.

My dad switched from Zytiga to Chemo this year. His left leg has gone numb and he has trouble walking so we bought a cane for him to help. He sometimes has pain on his leg as well. He has his next cycle of chemo (#10) around the beginning June. During the beginning of his Chemo journey he was hospitalized with an infection and low platelets and was put on blood thinners. He was discharged a couple of days later. He’s been doing alright on Chemo overall. However, he’s been very cranky and irritated lately, a lot of mood swings and not his old jolly self. Today, he’s been saying he has a loss of appetite and some weight loss. This is making me very worrisome. Are these symptoms temporary? He did a bone and CT scan before cycle #9 and it showed stable (no progression). However, his PSA is still rising while on Chemo. My dad’s oncologist is planning to do a break after cycle #10 and said to just focus on what the scans show. I’m just so worried that the end is near and I haven’t prepared myself enough.

[Schwah]

As a father with stage 4 prostate cancer and a living daughter, let me say a few words so you understand. Your love and attention and caring is beyond the best medicine for him. Know that you will never be prepared for the end so try and enjoy moment to moment. And know the most important thing to us dads is that when the time comes, know you did what you could and we appreciate it with all of our hearts. Feel no guilt and live your life to he fullest using the lessons we taught you. That will make us the happiest.

Schwah

[Kaliber in reply to Schwah]

well said …

[Linebacker75 in reply to Schwah]

Ditto brother. Thank you!

[LongevityAT in reply to Schwah]

Such a beautiful, concise statement that applies to any loved one that is supporting your care. You brought tears to my eyes.

[Pte82]

chocolatelover_123, have you consulted with a nutritionist for his symptoms? The B vitamins as well as magnesium are impacted by chemo in addition to the gut microbiome. Antithiamine factors diminish or destroy vitamin B1. Search for a list of them. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) when activated by magnesium has an important role in digestion as well as brain function. Research each of the B vitamins in addition to the other vitamins and minerals to understand their function so you can benefit more from the consultation.

[Currumpaw]

chocolatelover_123.

Ask your father's onco to consider prescribing Dronabinol. If he is experiencing nausea while on chemo this drug can not only help with nausea but is an appetite stimulant.

My very best to yu and your father.

Currumpaw

[SteveTheJ]

Sorry to say but the end is always near, you just don't always know why and when... I have had good results on appetite from legal-in-TX (weak) THC tincture. Appetite for me is worse at night than during the day; it's pretty unpredictable.

Personally I'd say to avoid Delta-8 or the other variants in favor of Delta-9 but YMMV.

I'm sure your dad appreciates whatever you can do for him.

[j-o-h-n]

Congratulations on forgetting all you learned in the university and now having to face the real world.

As far as your dear sweet Dad is concerned.....I sympathize with him and his Pca status cause it's a tough climb for men to admit their weaknesses. Sure he has pain and he is taken aback by all of shit he is enduring, I would be too. Give him love and plenty of slack when it comes to his personality change(s).

"I’m just so worried that the end is near and I haven’t prepared myself enough."

No one is ever prepared....it just happens.....and thank God for that. Let's hope and pray that he lives to be my age and walks you down the wedding aisle and gets to play with your child(ren) for many years. Give him my sincerest regards and if I were there, I know I would make him laugh...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 05/25/2023 9:41 PM DST