Copd and loss of appetite

[Hunoonah]

My name is Amy. I was diagnosed with copd 6 years ago. I also have asthma. I am stage 3 they tell me. I also have a weak enlarged heart. Annoyingly I look ok. I recently started to use a mobility scooter, which is wonderful, as I felt trapped indoors. Now I can go out and get fresh air.

However I just don't fancy food any more. I buy food, home delivery, every week and stuff it in my fridge and freezer, but I just don't want it.

I am forcing myself to make meals but I throw a lot of it away, and everything seems tasteless. Is it common with copd. I was never a smoker but was a passive smoker and kept having bronchitis.

I would love to feel hungry and enjoy food, but I don’t.

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum, Amy. I'm sorry I can't offer advice on loss of appetite- my problem is quite the opposite, but I hope you will soon get some sensible suggestions. The mobility scooter sounds fun. Won't it be good when the weather improves. Best wishes. xxx

[Hunoonah in reply to Alberta56]

Hi, thanks so much for your kind wishes. I live on the south coast, as soon as there is a spring day, I will be down to the seafront on my scooter! I know I've got seawater in my blood, I could never move away from the sea...love your black cat by the way. I don't have a cat anymore, but I love all cats...

[Alberta56 in reply to Hunoonah]

My black cat sadly died 2 years ago. She was a stray who finally decided to live with us. I'm not sure I could look after a new cat, who would have to be an indoor cat, because the traffic in our road has got horrendous. Sooty never tried to cross the road, thank goodness. Still miss her. xxx

[Hunoonah in reply to Alberta56]

Sad about your cat...I would love a cat again but unfair as it might out live me.....I am in an upstairs flat too.In the past I had Rajah, the love of my live. A sealpoint siamese. Mega affectionate, extremely agile and clever, sort of half cat, half monkey with a dash of dog thrown in.

I still miss him so much. He was amazing in every way, and not noisy as people say, He did a couple of small meows when he saw his food arriving, and purred like a Rolls Royce engine....he was stunningly beautiful too with his blue eyes...they really are a breed apart, very special....sigh

[peege]

Hi and welcome, I think you need to contact the GP just to eliminate any other cause of appetite loss and then get medical support. The helpline opens at 9am tomorrow, 0300 222 5800 . Best, P

[Hunoonah in reply to peege]

Hi, I'm currently having blood tests anyway, next lot 6th December. But I'm sure my discomfort in tummy sometimes is due to hiatus hernia which I have had for years...we will see...

[Monty93 in reply to Hunoonah]

I get a lot of stomach rib and back discomfort doctors can’t find nothing wrong with me apart for copd it must be connected

[Ergendl]

HI. Sorry to hear about your problem with appetite. Have you spoken to your GP about this? They should refer you to see a dietitian as it is not good to lose too much weight. In the meantime, The British Dietetic Association has produced a Food Facts sheet covering this - visit bda.uk.com/resource/malnutr... to take a look, and read to the end where it has some tips.

I was diagnosed with moderate COPD in 2015 but have improved my results to mild (bottom end of normal range) by following all the tips on here to improve my fitness. I also run a weekly singing for lung health group which I'm sure has helped.

My previous husband died in 2003 of conditions related to severe COPD, and I did not want to go the same way, so I've done everything I can not to. His condition kept getting worse because he continued to smoke after giving up with me for four years in the 1980s and then starting again. Medics think my COPD was caused by passive smoking after he started again.

[Hunoonah in reply to Ergendl]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your husband....I have never smoked myself. I will use that link and have a read. Thankyou. I always sing in the shower! All my favourite hymns. Somehow my voice sounds better in the shower!

[CDPO16]

Hi and welcome. You aren't alone. I have stage 4 emphysema and never feel hungry. I often feel nauseated at the thought of food. I force myself to eat a meal each day, a child's portion which I never enjoy. I have dietary supplements on prescription, advised by the dietitian but am underweight non the less. I'm advised to snack throughout the day but I don't as I wouldn't want the main meal. I think it's also due to never having snacked being brought up not to eat between meals.It may help you to get more nourishment if your GP will refer you to the dietitian for assessment. They will give lots of advice on supplementing your diet even though I appreciate that you may not want what they tell you to have. Best wishes.

[Hunoonah in reply to CDPO16]

hi, thanks for your reply which I really identify with. Snacking or grazing !! is recommended as you say. I too find that if I do that then I can't eat the "main meal"...but I feel I'm better off snacking on healthy stuff (mostly!) and just forget about a main meal, which I waste, then worry about....less washing up too! I am just relieved to know its not just me. That has helped in itself. Thankyou to everyone who posted a reply.

[6538]

Hi I had the same problems as you with eating my weight plummeted from over ten stone to nearer eight over a year or so , when it got to the stage I hadn't the strength to eat, I very fortunately was double booked at the doctors and saw the senior doctor who prescribed me a low dose of Prednisolone 5mg daily, within days I found myself eating more and more weight started to come back as well, I now look forward to mealtimes, and thank God for seeing that doctor as I genuinely believe I wouldn't be here now, there are consequences to taking Preds ask a doctor.

[Hunoonah in reply to 6538]

Hi, sorry you've been having such a hard time...I do have Prednisolone as well as antibiotics at home always in case of a bad infection, but I wouldn't want to take them all the time. Your needs will differ from mine but I appreciate your reply....I am just trying to eat what I can, sometimes weird little combinations! And I keep Complan and have one of those here and there. Also try not to stress about leaving food on the plate...I really just wanted to know that it wasn't just me, but is common in this condition. Take care.

[jackdup]

I think at least a portion of it could be caused by hyperinflated lungs as they push down on the diaphragm which in turn puts pressure on your stomach and potentially large intestine. Eating food that causes gas or drinking carbonated beverages can also cause bloating which puts pressure on your lungs as well and makes you feel full.

There can be many reasons for poor or no appetite but as others have suggested best to check with your doctor to rule out other conditions or find a solution.

[Hunoonah in reply to jackdup]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. Currently having blood tests anyway.

[jackdup in reply to Hunoonah]

Always good to be checked out thoroughly to eliminate any other issues. Hopefully they will come up with some answers for you and more importantly have a way to treat it so you appetite returns, and pray that there is no other serious issue.

Good luck

[primrose71]

in have the same problems just no appetite most docs don’t say any thing one gave me nutrition drinks but didn’t help any have lost 2 stone have celiac as well expensive and not much taste hope you find an answer dietician gave up on me good you are enjoying your scooter take carex

[Hunoonah in reply to primrose71]

Thankyou, I'm sorry you feel drs have given up, I understand that...if I know it's the copd it makes sense, just want to know it's not anything else. Going out on my scooter is a real help, just having fresh air, mind you I don’t go out in the rain. Don’t mind the cold, but not wet!

[poppyshola]

Hi there ... you should explain to your consultant how you feel because even if its easier to leave it ... you are depriving your body of much needed fuel to keep it from not breaking down... I know I've been there and definitely suffering for it now .. I've ended up with osteoporosis and joint pains plus a bowel that doesn't want to work amongst other things.Some time ago I was prescribed a drink named FORTISIP which helps to give me needed vitamins .. your consultant might prescribed it for you but you must be honest with them and let them know your appetite has gone .,.

But for now maybe you need some gut health yoghurt and gut health drink.to encourage your tummy to need food again ... they are full of friendly bugs ...

[Hunoonah in reply to poppyshola]

Hi thanks for reply...I drink actimel, and take vitamin D...And I think I mentioned Complan, I have those too, and I try to tickle my appetite and eat what I can, I have an apple a day, and make banana smoothies too.

I really just wanted reassuring that this is common in copd.

I am in the middle of having blood tests anyway....thanks again, take care.

[Izb1]

Welcome to the site Hunoonah. I wonder if this site Fifth Sense: #LetsTalkSmellAndTaste | Parosmia Support Group

would be able to help you, they deal with loss of taste and so must come across people who have lost their appetite. I hope it helps x

[Monty93]

hi there sorry I know this is a little off topic . But really need someone to talk to that has the same condition as me, I have overlap syndrome like yourself but I’m only 30 years old, get pains in my chest tight feeling like my lungs are going to big if you get me. I was suffering with stomach and rib discomfort. And found a present of clubbing of the finger so went for a ct scan to look for cancers and clubbing symptoms and they come back with copd. What age was you diagnosed and at what stage did you catch it at? I’m finding myself pacing around my house late at night because I start scaring myself over thinking. Like a zombie then sleeping all the time through out the day. I’m trying my best to stop smoking now it’s been 5 days since diagnosis say and I’m down to 4 to 5 a day I was on about 15. Sorry for the big paragraph.. I hope your well

[Hunoonah in reply to Monty93]

Hi Monty, sorry for any delay.Well, I never smoked but lived with heavy smokers, so that was the real trigger, I was diagnosed at age 62, I'm now 69.

Please dont do the overthinking thing, loads and loads of people have copd, and can live fairly normally...if you are cutting down on smoking that's good. Try allowing yourself either a cigarette or a little foody treat at set times of the day, but dont have both. Just choose one of them.

You sound very panicky, and it's understandable.....I also have been doing the oversleeping, sleeping late, due to having a

mental health issue, but am getting up earlier now. I've kind of tricked myself into it. lol

if you want to know how, reply and I will tell you...its basically being kinder to myself, but more to it than that.

[Trevor6]

hi, hope this day finds you well?

Yes, I understand your posting , I have severe COPD and it messes my day to day movement, but over the past year, I don’t feel like eating, my partner does all the cooking , I say am hungry, but when served up it puts me off and I struggle to enjoy , I am now on 2 protein shakes a day

Bought u know I can still get down a chocolate bar each night

[Hunoonah in reply to Trevor6]

lol...the chocolate bar 🍫!!!I can report that I have had quite an improvement lately...I am not having the traditional "3 square meals a day" but I just didn't want to give in, and so I decided to just have anything at any time that appealed to me.....and have eaten a strange assortment of things, here are some of my weird meals....not suggesting you follow my example!!

1.A small bowl of instant mashed potato with lots of butter on it.

2. 12 Morrisons cheesey hash brown bites, with sea salt and black pepper on.

3. A bowl of very ordinary tinned Tomato soup, with 3 slices of garlic bread, only lightly baked so they stayed soft.

4. A few small bits of mini chicken breast baked with some Hunters sauce over them, and deliberately overcooked..

and though I shouldn't have sugar as I'm borderline diabetic, I suddenly fancied a Kit Kat and ate that...

So this is working for me, I've noticed that I have to add a bit more "taste" to things, I can't eat bland things, and I believe it's true, if we don't eat, our stomachs shrink...so the reverse must be true, for myself, I just needed to get my stomach used to food again.

I made myself a few guidelines, ie never eat late at night, don't panic if I have to abandon or throw away a meal, and forget the whole meat and 2 veg thing, just say to myself, if I could have anything in the world to eat, what would it be? Who cares if my dinner was one hardboiled egg, with salad cream? Or an overdone chipolata sausage?

I really feel better for just eating anything...anything at all !!

Because I live alone I cater for myself so no need to worry about waste, or weird taste..!!!

[Trevor6]

well done .