Crossstich: my 85 year old husband has... - Lung Conditions C...

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Crossstich

Xrossstich profile image
9 Replies

my 85 year old husband has got Pulmonary Fibrosis, diagnosed in 2021. No treatment up to know. He’s losing weight despite eating well, adding chocolate biscuits with coffee, cake with afternoon tea, Complain as an evening drink. He had a blood test two weeks ago that didn’t show up anything wrong. The coughing is bad at times. Has Anyone got any ideas why this would happen. Thank you.

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Xrossstich
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9 Replies
Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hello there. Breathing for people with lung disease is often laborious. For people with normal lung function only 5% of energy is used for breathing. For people with lung disease up to 10 times more calories is necessary to accommodate all the energy used. It is really good that he has an appetite. If he is losing too much weight I would recommend talking to his doctor and perhaps getting him on calorie drinks which are very small but packed with calories. Also there may be other underlying conditions that are causing weight loss. So talking to his doctor is important. Do let us know how things go. 😊👋

Xrossstich profile image
Xrossstich in reply to Caspiana

Thank you, I did think it was todo with the coughing. He’s on Complan as an extra food.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Xrossstich

Yes, coughing continually is extremely exhausting. 😑

PaulineHM profile image
PaulineHM

Sorry to read your husband is losing weight. Though as Caspiana says it is not unusual for Respiratory patients ( or older people )to have this happen.

Hope he manages to regain some weight soon.

Go well.

Pauline

Xrossstich profile image
Xrossstich in reply to PaulineHM

Thank you.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

I can't help with your problem- sorry- but best wishes to you and your husband,

Germantara profile image
Germantara

Could you're husband maybe have an irration at back off throat I'm only thinking that if nothing shown up but I know coughin everyday does exhaust and runs peaple down I hope he finds a solution and gets some relief

Xrossstich profile image
Xrossstich in reply to Germantara

We think he using up more calories than he’s eating with the coughing.

Thank you for your reply’s. Kay

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

You may find this downloadable leaflet from ALUK helpful. Wishing you both all the best xx

shop.asthmaandlung.org.uk/c...

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