Ways to INCREASE appetite?

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Iguana - 26 Jul 2004 20:51 GMT

An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
by now it is a bit better. She does not want to eat much.

I am looking for ways to increase her appetite. We are looking for any
medications or tricks to that effect, that do not interfere with her
diabetes treatments.

We are aware that eating more is not going to cure cancer, but,
perhaps it could somewhat prolong her life and improve its quality and
stop cachexia.

thanks

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Diana - 26 Jul 2004 20:53 GMT

My heart goes out to you and your friend. I wish I
could help but with her having uncontrolled diabetes my
suggestions would just pose problems for her diabetes.
Maybe if you are permitted to speak to her doctor on
this that would be the best thing. Again I am very
sorry I can't help much however I will keep you and
your friend in my thoughts and prayer

Diana

> An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> thanks

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Jarkat2002 - 26 Jul 2004 21:16 GMT

>An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
>quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>thanks

You sound like your in a similar situation that I was w/ my grandmother. It's
very hard and I'm glad she has you to help her.
These are some of the things I made for her:
Peantubutter milkshake (I can just give you the ingredients, I'm sure you can
figure out the measurements on your own, to meet personal taste.)
Peantubutter milk shake
Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
Big spoon of Peantubutter
Splash of cream
Scoop of protean powder
A packet of splenda if it's not sweet
enough for her.
Mix in a blender.

Also if you look at some of the low carb recipe sites you will find higher fat,
low sugar recipes;
http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/lowcarb-recipes.html
is one.
I would also make sugar free cheese cake and Mac N Cheese w/ protean powder.
Wishing you well,
Kat
~Kat

"The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese."

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Guess Who - 26 Jul 2004 23:28 GMT

http://www.prosure.com/

It is a special formula to assist with cachexia. With cancer that is stage
IV, most doctors do not suggest following a strict diabetic diet. I would
have her check with her doctor, the advice I hear the most is eat everything
you want to eat when you want to eat it....

Signature

> An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> thanks

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pam_in_sc - 27 Jul 2004 00:06 GMT

> An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> thanks

I helped an aunt who was dying of cancer and the only thing that she
could eat was baked potatoes. Remember that with diabetes the total
amount of carbohydrates is what matters, so if serving size is small
enough it is ok to eat almost anything. If she can only eat a half a
potato, that isn't that much carbohydrate.

Pam
t2 since Nov. 2003, diet and exercise

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Guess Who - 27 Jul 2004 04:13 GMT

When I worked as a hospice nurse, we often discontinued many diabetic
medications since as the cancer progressed there Blood sugars go down
decreasing the need for medications. Also the goal in diabetes is to prevent
complications that take years to develop like blindness, renal failure, etc
what is the point if you have stage IV disease but best to check with your
health care team.
sometimes I have seen drugs used to increase appetite, such as steroids,
hormones, and amphetamines but not with much success.

> > An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> > quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Pam
> t2 since Nov. 2003, diet and exercise

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J - 27 Jul 2004 01:11 GMT

> An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> medications or tricks to that effect, that do not interfere with her
> diabetes treatments.

Details might be helpful as to how to reply to such a post. (type of
cancer and organs affected, age of patient, on treatment or not, Karnofsky
performance, etc..

Hospice or her doctor can help with medications..
J-alt.support.cancer

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Peanutjake - 27 Jul 2004 02:46 GMT

You might want to try "Glucerna."
It tastes like a delicious milk shake.
It is diabetic friendly.
It contains pretty complete nutrition.
It is easy to drink when you have lost your appetite.
It is available in drug stores.

PJ

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Guess Who - 27 Jul 2004 04:13 GMT

I think that is the same thing as prosure but made by a different company.

> You might want to try "Glucerna."
> It tastes like a delicious milk shake.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> PJ

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Priscilla H Ballou - 27 Jul 2004 18:17 GMT

In alt.support.diabetes Iguana <iguana@desert.com> wrote:

>An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
>quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>perhaps it could somewhat prolong her life and improve its quality and
>stop cachexia.

I'm not a druggie or a troll. I do, however, want to let you know that
some people dealing with cancer have found that marijuana can be very
beneficial in terms of stimulating appetite.

Priscilla

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Ignoramus25231 - 27 Jul 2004 18:20 GMT

> In alt.support.diabetes Iguana <iguana@desert.com> wrote:
>>An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> some people dealing with cancer have found that marijuana can be very
> beneficial in terms of stimulating appetite.

Very interesting...

i

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Mike Radcliffe - 27 Jul 2004 18:32 GMT

> An individual whom I know has stage IV cancer and is losing weight
> quickly. She also has diabetes that is not well controlled, although
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> thanks

Unfortunately 'guess who' is right. Steroids are about the only thing that
would help with appetite in advanced cancer but if they don't work there is
little point trying too hard.
Make sure all the other obvious factors like pain, constipation and nausea
are controlled.
supplements may help but the only real rule at this stage with diet is
whatever the patient wants, when the patient wants and as much or as little
as the patient wants. Diabetes doesn't even come into the picture as an
issue.
MIKE

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