Posted by Chris M. on 7/25/2008, 1:28 am, in reply to "Megestrol Acetate"
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I have never heard personally of such, but I would like to offer encouragement in the endeavor of regaining some weight. I have known several folks who have needed to regain health after severe illness and loss of weight.
The product you mention seems to have a reputation for adding weight as fat...I could hope you might concentrate on muscle which weighs more than fat. Unless there is some other factor involved (in general health) the loss of weight in COPD generally occurs as the body using your body to survive the lack of calories it takes to breathe.
Generally, we use 20% more calories breathing than anyone else. Muscles for breathing are needed, and if you are not eating adequate protein, you are having a hard time recovering muscles.
If normally you need 2500 calories, you need 20% more just so the muscle loss for breathing doesn't lighten you. That's how it started, needing 3000 calories minimum and eating half or less than you need.
I'd guess you asked the Doc for a prescription because you have less appetite. In short, you are starving. If you cannot rally to that, I am enough of an amateur to suggest some sessions with a therapist and a nutritionist might help, too. I think your question implies you want to change.
Protein and good fats and in something you normally like to eat. Soup, slurpees, smoothies, a blended meal full of good food may help. Powdered milk can be added to most foods without affecting it's flavor much and hiding as a thickener and calcium boost.
Many folks who drink coffee and soda have problems with eating...you might skip such until you have eaten as many meals as you can first.
Normally it is suggested that six meals is more helpful than trying to cram more into three meals. I'd suggest finding a soup you can make as a basic and adding as much as you can to reinforce it. Meat, nuts, milk, more nuts, meat, and eggs, and milk, and fruit and vegs you enjoy, snuck in as snacks. Check out the cake making aisle for packages of pre shelled nuts of all types.
Try the half and half or even cream to smooth out your concoctions.
Most everything is common sense and increasing amounts over time. Getting the body used to being fed well. Try to avoid the fillers, the white and sugary foods with little nutrition.
And here comes the essential part...start to exercise gently. See if your Doc would agree to send you to Rehab if you start to gain some weight. You need a plan to regain bone and muscle and the folks at Rehab can help you with diet, exercise and learning the critical breathing muscles.
A multivitamin would be smart and I take additional calcium with vit D, and vit C and magnesium and zinc (which also seems to help with appetite)I have also heard that ginger may help also, but you might add that as a spice along the way.
As you know, we aren't Docs, but fellow patients, and I've wasted a long explanation if you are off to other forums, but at least it's the basics. It's wonderful that you seem to be interested in regaining your health...never hesitate to add a question or turn up a new problem. Good Luck.
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