Loss of appetite and really worried

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi

Im a more mature lady in my 70s . I lost my husband 2 yrs ago without warning in his sleep . At the time I was numb and traumatised by what had happened. 6 months after I lost my appetite completely.

At the time I had blood tests, ultrasound scans sigmoidoscopy etc and everything came back as normal ( this was last year) and the doctor put it down depression after my husband died. Now 18 months later, I again have lost my appetite completely. I don’t feel hungry I don’t fancy anything to eat. I’ve been to the doctors who seems to think it could be to do with anxiety. I am a worrier but I can’t understand why this should happen again. I had some blood tests taken but have not yet had the results. My mind is going in overdrive and I’m convinced I have something really scary. Has anyone on this forum had appetite loss and can anyone give me any kind of reassurance I am worrying myself sick. Thank you so much

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello Angela,

    First of all, so sorry for your loss.

    I don't know which country you are in, but I'm in Spain and it has started to get really hot and that puts me off my food completely. If you are in he UK, I have heard that there is a heatwave, that is one of the simple reasons that can put you off for sure.

    Wishing you the best! x

  • Edited

    I’m so sorry you are going through this. Make sure you are staying hydrated with water. if you are not eating very much.

    With all of this going on, do you have any Friends to talk to or visit or do things with? It’s really important as we get older to have connections with other people. I I noticed that if I don’t connect with others, that I am more prone to depression, and lose interest in things.

    Your blood tests are most likely going to be fine. Grief and the depression that can follow can last quite a while and have you ever considered speaking with your doctor about a medication for depression? Just something to think about. But remember to....

    1. Take care of yourself. Get in a little walk for some exercise if you can.
    2. Connect with others for companionship. There may be an active senior center nearby with some great people and programs.
    3. Try to calm down the racing thoughts in your mind by practicing slow, deep breathing. You can find some great calming meditations for anxiety on YouTube.
    4. remind yourself that all of your testing so far has been normal.

      The main thing is to take care of yourself in every way including physical health, mental health, spiritual, health, emotional health. If you are really struggling, I would advise speaking with a counselor which could really help and even bring back your appetite! You can even do virtual counseling right at home everything will work out! Take care

    • Edited

      Thank you so much for your reply and for all your good advice which I will be following. I had the results of my blood test today and they were all fine except the thyroid one. I have been taking thyroxine for 25 years at the same dose and the receptionist said to me the doctor would phone me next week, but that it was nothing to worry about. My thyroxine probably needs to be increased. I am thinking that maybe this has some link to the low appetite and probably needs to be increased.

      My husbands death was such a shock as it happened in his sleep and his health had been absolutely fine in fact we had been out for a meal that night. The post-mortem showed sudden cardiac arrest. My Doctor wants to up my anti depressant a little.

      Thank you again your reply made me feel a lot better.

    • Posted

      I'm so sorry about your husband Angela.

      My Dad also died of sudden cardiac arrest at age 42 and it really is a shock.

      I'm not saying that death after a long illness is better by any means, but you do sort of prepare for it, but when it is sudden in a healthy person it's just a really a weird, sad and scary feeling, as you state, a complete shock.

      I now take some comfort in the fact that he didn't suffer.

      One day at a time x

    • Edited

      Thank you for your reply. and so sorry about your Dad at such a young age. Losing someone you love is devastating for everyone, but when it is so sudden with no warning, feel like you have been hit from behind and it takes awhile to get your head around it. Like you I take comfort in that he didn’t suffer but it is still so very hard. Thank you again x

  • Posted

    you’ll probably feel a lot better once your thyroid medication is adjusted. You’re going to be OK! Take one day at a time and make yourself your first priority! ❤

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Its made me feel so much better and I do appreciate it x

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