Loss of appetite/can’t finish meals

[Bubblegum89]

I usually have a huge appetite. I eat two large meals a day and I snack in between. I’m always hungry. On Christmas Day, I had an upset stomach and wasn’t able to eat anything. I felt a bit better on Boxing Day although the rest of the week, I still didn’t feeling like eating much. That Saturday I had an upset stomach again but Sunday I felt better but ever since Christmas Day I’ve just had very little appetite and the food I do eat, I can’t finish.

For example, when I go to McDonalds I always get a chicken wrap meal and a double cheeseburger (I know, I’m a pig lol) today I got a wrap meal but no burger and could barely finish the wrap and only had a few chips and I was full. I’ve not had an upset stomach (very slight nausea in the mornings but nothing else) and feel okay in myself apart from being a bit tired which I assume is due to lack of food, but I just can’t seem to get my appetite back. I’ve only been eating because I know I need food but I’ve not wanted to nor really enjoyed anything. I’m just not hungry and it’s really unlike me. I’m not having difficulty swallowing and I’m not having any bloating or vomiting and no diarrhoea since Saturday. I started drinking some probiotics to try and see if that would help but it doesn’t seem to have done yet. It’s coming up to two weeks since I ate properly and a normal amount. I’m down to one small meal a day and no snacks. Any idea what it could be? I’m not having any other symptoms but I suffer with health anxiety and I’m worried I have stomach cancer or something. I just want my appetite back, I’m not sure why it just disappeared all of a sudden without warning!

Pregnant?

I have been ttc for the last 14 months but I had my period last week with two days of killer cramps (started on Christmas Day, how fun!) so I don’t think it would be that. I’ve not got any other pregnancy symptoms either. I know there are lots of bugs going around but usually they come with cold/flu symptoms/vomiting etc but I’ve not had any of that. I just want to eat properly again :(

Have you tried forcing yourself to eat healthy foods (ie not burger and chips)? If you normally eat huge portions could it be your body having a reaction to this?

If I eat unhealthily for a few days in a row (so the whole Christmas period) it can sometimes take a week or so for me to get my appetite back. I do have issues with stomach acid though and have had ulcers several times.

It always takes a while for my appetite to return after a stomach upset. I think it's quite normal. Obviously if it continues for a long time or you develop other issues then you should seek medical help, but otherwise I'd just focus on eating gentle foods as and when you feel able and hope that you're soon back to normal.

How old are you? Without any other symptoms, stomach cancer does not seem like a particularly likely diagnosis, and it would be rather a coincidence for it to come on immediately after a bug.

Very common.
Your body has had a run of poor health focussing on stomach. It’s a bit fragile.

Why don’t you take advantage of the fact and start to manage your portions better going forward? You have an opportunity here to make a positive change....

Thanks everyone! Glad it’s normal. I’ve never had this before ever even after being ill, my appetite always comes back within a day or so. I’ve been eating less heavy foods mostly (crackers, toast etc) but I just don’t feel like eating anything at all. I’m 28 and I’m not overweight or anything so I’m a little anxious that I may start losing weight which isn’t ideal as I’m only just over 8 1/2 stone as it is. I’m forcing myself to eat whatever I can stomach but it’s like my mouth doesn’t even want to chew it lol I can only eat half the portions I used to. I’m trying to put a positive spin on it by thinking that maybe it’s a good thing to cut down on my portion sizes but again, I have a fast metabolism usually so I’m worried if I eat much less, my weight will drop again (only a few years ago I was 6 1/2 stone and so skinny and horrible looking) I guess I’m just not used to it being so long not having an appetite. I didn’t get to binge or eat junk food at all over Christmas on account of not feeling well :(

Seriously OP, don’t stress

Your body has been through it. It’s a bit tender and fragile.

You’ll get back to where it was. Maybe use the opportunity then to focus more on healthy food?

Thanks :) I normally do eat fairly healthily (just had a maccies today because I was out) I eat a lot of salad and green veg and stuff like that. My snacks aren’t so healthy though so maybe it’ll help me cut those out completely! My BM’s were green for a couple of days last week so wondering if that’s maybe an indication of a bug of some kind. They’re fine now though. I’m praying I feel less nauseous before work starts again next Tuesday, considering I work in a kitchen and I’m nauseated by the idea of food at the minute!