Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | [quote=nellg]So what I get from reading is that once weight loss gets to a certain point and is catabolic, it's not about calories in anymore but takes on a life of its own. And this cachexic state might be because of a tumor, but not necessarily.
Chris has lost almost 15% of his pre-treatment body weight, and he did not have any extra weight to lose. He's lost a lot of muscle at this point. He's been on 100% tube feeding since pretty early on. He finished tx a few weeks ago.
I'm wondering when he might be expected to stop losing/start gaining, or is that all over the place depending on the person?
Nell [/quote]
I am curious if Chris is being treated at a major cancer center. There are a couple drugs that are used specifically to try and break the catabolic state of cachexia. The first defense is Megace ES (megestrol acetate). If the weight loss reaches 20% and intake isn't the problem, this is what is being used.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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