Hi, everybody:

I have full body RSD. I have a very, very poor appetite. Whether it is at breakfast time, at lunch time, at dinner time, or at supper time, I do not want to eat. I am never hungry. Just seeing some food cuts my appetite off. The more food I see, the less I want to eat. Even if there is only a little bit of food on my plate, I do not want to eat. It does not matter whether I enjoy the food or not. I drink little water, juice, or tea (I am allergic to milk).

I have never been anorexic, even if I am very thin. People from my mother's side of the family are usually very thin. I measure 1.63 meters and I weigh 48 kilograms.

1) Could this poor appetite be caused by my having full body RSD?

2) If yes, what organ(s) is (are) involved (stomach, brain...)?

3) What is (or are) the mechanism(s) responsible for this?

4) Could my allergy to milk (lactose allergy) be caused by RSD?

5) What solutions do you see for this problem?

Thanks for your information and advice.

Hi Kitty, I have had the same thing going on since April. At that time I was very ill with an upper intestinal blockage, infection and lysis. I was hospitalized for two weeks, and by the end of that time the docs told me I had developed a very large hyatal (sp) hernia, and since then have been in the same boat you are in. I have lost over 40 lbs. since then. My pain doc said it was because of the RSD slowing down the body's functions and the various medications. This may not answer your questions, but at least you know you are not alone. Lisa

Hi, Lisa in Ohio:

Did your doctors tell you your poor appetite was caused by one of the problems you mentioned you had, such as upper intestinal blockage, infection, lysis, very large hyatal hernia? Could RSD play a role in one or more of these problems?

Quote: "My pain doc said it was because of the RSD slowing down the body's functions and the various medications." This is interesting. I did not know that.

Quote: "This may not answer your questions, but at least you know you are not alone." You did answer my question and I thank you for your kindness.

Hi Kitty, yes this is part of the RSD for me. I also very weirdly turn from one thing that tastes good to the next week not being even to stand the sight of it in a cupboard. Right now I am doing OK with some fruit, rice, crackers and vanilla wafers. If my kids would have eaten like this I would have had much to say about it, but oh well life with RSD. Lisa

I'm feeling the same way! I have had GI studies which have come back normal... Burning, slow drop of food feeling...makes me not want to eat...Dr. Has said it is RSD that is affecting my tummy and GI tract...slowing down...When I hear this or even type it...it's scares me...so in our big picture of RSD...what does this mean for us??

Hugz, Kathy

Hi KS, I just wanted to add a little bit of my experience of late. With the slow down of the GI tract, the intestinal system may get blocked as it slows down too. I woke up one day and thought I had a really bad case of the flu, vomiting every 15 min, couldn't keep anything down. I just felt really sick and thought that this was a vicious flu bug. By that night symptoms had progressed to the point where I had to call for an ambulance ( I felt like a fool-an ambulance for the flu-seriously?) At the hospital a CAT scan revealed the blockage, and since it had been left untreated a serious infection.

I do not write this to scare anyone, but just to make you aware of what this presents and feels like. The PM doctor did say that this would probably happen again. Lisa

Kitty Im sorry to read about appetite problems...I have the same thing going on myself. Its crazy how any food would want me to vomit because Im used to army chow. Now on any given day I wont even look at food. My poor wife is going crazy and I really dont blame her. I was never a picky eater you couldnt be in the army. You ate what they gave you, period and you really were shoveling down and running. After the service I ate anything and everything. My wife loved it. I never minded I was glad that it was hot and actually had a taste to it. Now its like I look at it and I know right there if Ill eat or not and more often its not. Ive lost 30 pounds of mostly muscle. Im not bragging here because my waste line hasnt moved an inch and I still have a chubby belly. I had some problems swallowing for a while until my neuro chiropractor told me to gag myself and the swallowing problems are doing better. But I think its the disease Im no gastronuclearbiologicalinterologist or anything I just know Im not the same.