Lost nearly half a stone in 2 months, what to do?

[Clingingontomyforties]

I’ve lost nearly half a stone in weight over the last couple of months. I’ve gone from a size 8 to a size 6. My bones are sticking through and it’s uncomfortable lying in the bath and now in bed. I have no appetite at all, I can go all day without eating and have no hunger pangs. I have been suffering with really bad anxiety and think I am peri menopausal.

A couple of weeks ago I had indigestion for nearly 24 hours and had been having night sweats. I phoned my GP for an appointment for an appointment to get my hormone levels checked and they told me to go to A&E incase I was having a heart attack. I didn’t want to waste A&E’s time so went to the walk in centre and everything was fine. I’m taking propranolol for my anxiety but it’s this weight loss that’s really concerning me. I tried to make an appointment with my GP last week but it’s a four week wait, the receptionist thinks I might be having a reaction to propranolol so made me a telephone appointment with the pharmacist for next week. So what do I do, I really need to start eating.

I don't know but in your shoes I'd try eating calorie-dense foods and see whether I could put on weight, then go to the GP if no change in 2 weeks.

Things that might help you put on weight:

• milkshakes with full-fat milk
• cheese on toast
• macaroni cheese
• peanut butter sandwiches
• custard with full-fat milk
• less healthily: chocolate, biscuits, pastries, cake etc

P.S. Are you getting any other help for your anxiety?

Your weight loss doesn't sound sinister as you have said you have stopped eating properly.

Get some help for you anxiety and that is what is wobbling your world and eat good nutritious food. If you eat well the anxiety might diminish a bit too.

When my anxiety is bad, it kills my appetite. You need to make yourself eat, and as PP said, try to make it nutritious and calorie-dense. Although anything is better than nothing. I could get soup and bread down at my worst, although very little else.

When Renee Zellweger needed to gain weight to play Bridget Jones in the films, she just added one doughnut to her normal meals. Just one doughnut.

I’m taking propanol for my anxiety, I literally have no appetite whatsoever. I can go all day without anything to eat and I have no hunger pangs. My bones are now jutting through to such an extent it hurts to lie on my back.

You need some high calorie milk shakes and you will have to make yourself drink them. When you don’t eat your body becomes used to it and your tummy shrinks.

Your body will be suffering as you aren’t eating and it’s not getting any nutrients, this can ultimately lead to organ failure.

You really need to get into a routine of breakfast at X time and stick to it.

Going all day without anything to eat isn’t healthy though and isn’t good for your body

Get a GP appointment - say it is an emergency. A 4 week wait is unreasonable (my GPs don't allow you to book more than 4 weeks in advance).
I would expect at the least a full bloods and referral for further investigations.

You say you had indigestion for 24 hours - was it definitely indigestion? Could it be gallstones? When I had gallstones I lost all my appetite and was frequently nauseous and didn’t want to eat. It’s often overlooked if you’re slim or underweight as it happens most often to those who are overweight, but can happen to anyone.

Well, you've lost weight because you aren't eating. Nothing sinister there.

You might not have an appetite, but that doesn't mean you can't swallow food. Just cook what you'd normally cook, put it in your mouth and swallow.
You don't have to enjoy it, you just need to eat it to be alive.

If you'd have made the appointment when you phoned up 2 weeks ago, you'd only have had 2 more weeks to go before your appointment. Now you have 4.
Phone the doctors again today and make an appointment! If you get better before then, cancel it. If you're worse, the appointment will be useful.

Can't you just go into see a pharmacist without an appt? You don't need an appt. I don't think the receptionist should be giving out advice on medication. I'd also ask for an urgent appt. You can't carry on like this. I took citalopram for anxiety- panic attacks and that helped. Like you I had lost my appetite and lost loads of weight. It was difficult to eat so I just ate little snacks but often throughout the day. Flavoured milk also helped. The next time I started feeling like it again I was put on a different medication which made me feel awful. I can't remember it's name but it was the latest one so the GP wanted me to try it. I was so annoyed with him and ended up not taking anything but got through it myself. It might be the anxiety causing appetite loss alone but you need it checking out and quickly. Don't leave till next week. Either a go appt (you'll just have to be pushy and insist on an appt or telephone call from the GP) or a visit to pharmacy. Many have a private cubicle to discuss medical issues.

Bobby, I would have taken the appointment when I called but the receptionist thought that speaking to the pharmacist would be more appropriate and quicker, just a two week wait as opposed to four.

I can't understand why you would have to wait 2 weeks to see A pharmacist? Just go to a local Boots.

I had a total vagotomy, which means I don't have the ability to feel hunger. I add calories to everything I eat, for example double cream and butter to mashed potatoes. Eating is difficult but it's infinitely better than a feeding line.

Didn't mean to sound harsh there about the pharmacist BTW. If anyone hasn't been through not being able to eat because of anxiety then they won't understand what it's like. You can get through this. I did and I was dreadfully thin.

The pharmacist at the GPs surgery will review my prescription with a view to upping the dosage of the propranolol, I’m only taking 10mg. I’ve called to see if I can get an urgent appointment either with the doctor or nurse practitioner and I can’t because I have been seen about my anxiety it’s classed as an ongoing issue. I can see the trainee GP on Thursday. There is a walk in centre 5 minutes away from me so that’s an option.

This is probably going to sound ridiculous but I’m worried I’m going to get pressure sores, the skin on my lower back is burning and Im getting patches where there belt on my jeans is rubbing. I recognise this is probably my anxiety talking!

could be useful to work out how many calories you are actually eating - my fitness pal app good for this. Agree with suggestions above re high cal foods. I would not assume it’s all anxiety definitely take the appt this Thursday.

Take any appointment you can, and in the meantime, try to eat something. Anything. It’s hard, I’ve been there, but you need to make yourself. Small amounts at first, doesn’t need to be regular food, soup or shakes are easier than stuff that needs chewing.

Trainee GP is a fully qualified doctor and more appropriate for this than the pharmacist I would say.

I know it's hard but I think you must make yourself eat even though you have no appetite. If it helps eat little and often but high calorie foods.

Have you had any blood tests done? Please ask for them, to rule out any other causes of weight loss and night sweats.

I didn’t mean to sound condescending about the trainee GP, I saw him the last time I went to discuss my anxiety. I mentioned peri menopause and he told me as I am still having periods I can’t possibly be peri menopausal, he wrote a prescription for propranolol gave me a leaflet on counselling and sent me on my way. He made me feel like an idiot and I don’t want to see him again.

I’ve attached a picture of my wrist to give you an idea of how skinny I’m getting, I have arms like chicken legs.