my mum is 92 and wont eat and has lost weight,we are giving complan, is this sufficient to keep her alive?

Question

We have seen a doctor who says she has a slight underactive thyroid and has prescribed medication starting with the lowest possible dose but it takes many weeks befor they can build the dose to a relevent level, she has always said she wants a telegram from the queen and I would like her to get that chance.
god willing.

Answer 1

I believe that Complan are nutritionally complete meals but what is the underlying cause of this? You should speak to her doctor or health visitor about any medication she may be on which is affecting her appetite or any illness that may be causing this.

Answer 2

Good god, these people want to let her die because of an underactive thyroid. Yes complan will keep her going for a long time although it's not ideal. If she's taking these ok, then maybe try getting her to take some yoghurt as well. Just until the doctor's get the medication right. If she's otherwise healthy then good luck to you. My great gran lived to 102.

Answer 3

My gran got to 92, and had led a very active, and sometimes, very hard life. She was a cheery robust woman, but during one Christmas she caught a fairly heavy cold. It took her a while to make any sort of recovery, and it was fairly obvious that she was tired, and worn-out at the age of 92. She never fully recovered, and gradually spent more and more time asleep in bed, and she ate less, and did less until her death in April of the year following Christmas.

As much as we loved her, it was obvious to us that at 92 she had reached the end of her life. Her previous zest and verve had gone. She dies peacefully and comfortably after a couple of days in hospital, and the post-mortem revealed nothing of any relevance, apart from the fact that this was one tired elderly lady who had lived through nearly a century on Earth.

My gran died at 92 because she was tired, exhausted, and everybody knew, including her, that her life was coming to a close, and we strongly believe that was what she wanted, hence the reason she wouldn't eat, and had taken to her bed.

I probably haven't answered your question, but I trust you will understand the reason for my reply.

R.I.P. Bertha H. 1904 - 1996.

Answer 4

Go back to your doctors and ask him to send your mom to a nutritionist. My daughter was given a formula called polycal, and you added this to drinks, it is a clear liquid with no taste basically, but has calories in it. I don't know if that may help. Other wise, how about juicing her foods, so she still gets all the nutrients she needs. If things persist and get worse, the other thing you could ask from you doctor, which is extreme, is for your mom to have a nose feed. I know its extreme, but that way, she will still get food in her tummy.

I wish you all the best.

Answer 5

good god. she's 92 yrs old, how long do you want to prolong her suffering? I hope I haven't offended my kids to the point that they would do this to me when and if I make it to 92 yrs old. Maybe you haven't taken a look at how selfish it is of you to want her to continue to suffer just so you don't have to. I wonder about people like you. You seem to be a valid excuse to continue capital punishment. I don't know that murder is as bad as intenionally prolonging suffering, and yet strangely enuff murders are the ones that will receive the death penalty before you..... strange, eh?

Answer 6

Complan is good if you go to boots they sell drinks that are a complete meal my dad loved them.Hope your mum picks up.I know how you feel my mam died on the 10th of october age 85.

Answer 7

probably not. My mother in law was exactly the same --- 92, and not eating. When she died, we decided it was technically starvation as she was not benefiting from whatever food we could get her to take. At 92, she has had a good long life and you should be getting ready to let her go.

Answer 8

You should contact your GP immediately. She may be depressed or suffering from other problems that are not apparent at first sight. Do it now. The elderly can deteriorate very quickly, especially if they are not receiving sufficient fluids.

Answer 9

for a time, yes.
long term, no.
how about spreading the yolk of a soft boiled egg on strips of toast?
wheat products give a feeling of fullness, but some protein is also needed.

Answer 10

it has a lot of things in it for the human body if she is happy with that it becomes hard if she does not want anything else.have a word with her docter to see what can help you to get her to eat something more