Complete Loss of Appetite

[lauralee77]

Does anyone else get this as a lupus symptom? For the past month i've had to force myself to eat something during the day because I'm just not hungry. I've lost about 12 lbs. Everyone has been saying how great I look, but it worries me. I have had no changes in medications recently. Could this be lupus related? My rhuemie did say that my white blood cell count was down on my last visit. I have not yet talked to him about the appetite problem. I am not having any other flare symptoms, just the usual joint and chest pain that I deal with daily.

[peonyprincess]

I too have had a loss of appetite, however, I thinkI have found your 12 pounds. I eat when I am supposed to and I have been very good at watching what I do eat as far as porportions, seasons, and the way the food is prepared. I do have a bad habit of eating when I am not hungry, just bored. The biggest thing that I do is take in alot and I mean alot of fluids which does not help me at all.

When I first started having problem, I was seen by my GI doc an after a few tests, it was found that I had Gastroparesis...aka...lazy stomach. It seems that my food was not being digested fast enough, so that when it came time for me to eat anothermeal, I wasn't hungry. I went on Reglan and that has seemed to help, although I will admit, I do not always take it.

Regardless, you need tot alk to your doctor and let him know what is going on. While it couldbe nothing new, related to the Lupus, there couldbe other problems brewing that you and he need to be aware of.


Nancy

[evie-f]

Well, I've not been properly dx'd yet, but I will say I've had this too when I've been stressed. The summer before last I was very fatigued and almost unable to eat solid food for several months. I would just retch at the thought and never felt hungry and I lost 2 stone. Then last summer when when I had some other symptoms which could have been a mild flare I had the same thing, but only for a few weeks.

I also remember after the birth of my son when I was first very ill one of the tests they did was a barium swallow because I kept choking on food. I'd almost forgotten about that as I was having so many other tests at the time. They said it was because choking/swallowing problems could be related to my suspected lupus, but I can't even remember now what the results were or exactly what they were looking for.

Sorry if this is isn't much help! But I agree with Nancy, you should mention it and get it checked out.

Eve x

[halfpintfl]

:) Hi there Laura, and welcome. First of all, the short message area, to answer is not working and I hope that someone will tell whome ever can fix it.
I was not eating for a very long time and lost way too much weight
after a long process, we found out that it was one of my meds. I stopped that med, got on another one, and am drinking Ensure, and eating high calorie pudding. I will get back to my old self sometime, but, don't be like me, I waited too long, don't wait.:eek:

[spellbinder]

hi laura,

i was about to write a similar post. i can't seem to gain weight at all, i'm down to 100lbs at 5'4", since being diagnosed i've lost 40 to 45lbs, and i'm not sure it will stop here. like nancy i too have gastroparisis and i'm on meds but i still can't eat. after a few bites i feel like i will barf at any moment. if you find out how to gain weight please let me know ... i'm going to try milkshakes or smoothies if i can find a recepie for them

good luck and feel better