79 yr old. Always weak;120lbs, 5'10". What tests should I request?

Question

The docs are scratching their heads over me. Meantime, I'm miserable. All labs come out ok, though platelets alone were hi. BP is fine, sometimes a bit low. Heart checked out ok. Note I had one lung removed at 30 yrs old, never had complications thereafter. The Neurologist says it is not neurological... he says, quote "your muscles and nerves are starving for nutrition". He believes it's a small cancer. The oncologist says there is no cancer. Diet is balanced but I have zero appetite and no sense of taste. I make sure I force myself to eat, it is balanced and includes Ensure. But I can't get too much into me so it's just consistent with the little energy I need; I want to be hungrier; I want to have more energy; I want to gain weight; I want to be active. This has gradually worsened over about 3-4 years, very slowly.

Answer 1

If you haven't had one already, ask about a PET scan. It's sorta like a CAT scan, but it's used to detect any cancer in the body. When my husband had cancer, it's what they used to see where it was, and then they used it once more after his treatment was finished to see if all of it was gone. Also, ask about maybe getting put on a steroid. My grandfather-in-law, has some health issues, but he had gotten to where he would eat maybe once a day, if that. They put him on some sort of steroid(not sure of it's name)and now he eats like a pig.(good thing)
I would also consider going to a different doctor and letting them give you the once-over as well. Having a fresh set of eyes and a mind on the case may help. I wish you the best, hope you get everything figured out and get to feeling better!

Answer 2

First off have they given you any TPN? Its a nutritional boost for your system. Many places have in home infusion companies that will come out and do it while you are in the comfort of your own home. Personally I would think they'd need to build you up FIRST that way. Sounds like some sort of malabsobtion issue, but you need to get your stats up to continue looking for a cause. See if they will do this for you here.

I'd get all of your medical records together and copied onto your computer including all of the test results for the past year or 2 and all that has been done for you just in case you need to go elsewhere for treatment.

You might want to look into the international hospital posted below. You can ask them for a quote etc, this is a very highly rated hospital and very reasonable. I've not been there yet, but have no insurance, so I plan to go myself because everyone has GLOWING reports on the place. With all of those specialists in one place they might be able to help you faster than they can here.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Lots of older people lose their appetite, have a lowered energy level and also lose their desire to drink fluids. You also tend to sleep more as you age. All of these things are common and normal for your age. You are already doing the correct thing by forcing yourself to eat healthy meals. Make sure you are drinking lots of water and take a walk or other light exercise every day. If you had cancer there is a 99% chance your oncologist would have found it, so take the neurologist's opinion with a big grain of salt. Also you don't have cancer for 3 years without having clear symptoms of the disease somewhere. Sorry but the answer is you are aging.

Answer 4

At your age you should check for these also:
LUNGS: too see if you have an infection in the other one.
VITAMINS: Are you on multi-vitamins, like centrum silver or of same value, must be for over 50+
BLOOD:check to see if you are anemic
SEX: if you are, and have/had multiple partners or otherwise check for Virus,this might be laughable, take note.
SPECIALIST: See a specialist who is able to deep root your symptoms, most Gen. Practitioners will not give the true diagnosis, even though they might be well intention, but a specialist is more versed in diagnosing your illness
SLEEP: sometime you might have a sleep disorder, and don't know, again check more thoroughly, most of all there is hope don't give up once your body is telling you something that's not right with your mind, please go by your mind, get more advice, only you know how you are feeling, also see where your health provider can offset these doc. visit so you can get quality help, with a peace of mind, God bless you, wish you best.Also check yahoo.health advice see what they got to say, but please get more opinion.

Answer 5

ensure is awesome for you at this age, you might even consider it with every meal (and in between). It definitely sounds like a nutrition thing. I've always heard the fresher the foods the better. Things for you to consider protein! Broccoli is the one veggie that is packed with protein and has a lot of nutrients in it as well, eat it fresh with some dip (that'll give you a little extra fat), fresh baby leaf spinach isn't bad either (with veggies remember the greener the better), fruit is great too- I've always been told one piece of fruit every 4 hours while you're awake. I'm not going to tell you about supplements or vitamins though because I'm not sure what medications you're on. Make sure none of the foods conflict with your medications (coumadin, blood thinner, conflicts with a lot of stuff surprisingly)

Answer 6

Are you taking any medications that could possibly be causing these side affects? Have you seen a nutritionist or a dietitian? Perhaps they can recommend something other than ensure to provide you with more essential vitamins and nutrients and foods that will boost your energy.

Answer 7

I wish I had some answers for you. Maybe you could see a nutritionist to help you find certain foods to help with energy and weight gain. I kind of agree with getting a second opinion.

Answer 8

Mabey you could be Anemic. That could make you weak and not hungry. And your blood pressure being low sometimes can make you feel really bad to. But that would only cause problems for a short amount of time. God Bless and I hope you get better.

Answer 9

Eat some food.

Answer 10

have you had a colonscopy? could be polyps perhaps. sounds like all the symptoms. maybe even your throat is closing. it happens.