[Bruins88]

As a lot of you know im 11 month into my brain injury journey. But somethings been bothering me, and im not sure why its the way it is.

When this all happened in january, I would go a few days without eating. Was told its very common with brain injuries. As time went on it did improve a little, but still not that much.

Around may-july all I craved was sugar. That was it, just anything with sugar in it. Weird.

Well now its December. I eat once a day, and even then its not much. Im 6 feet and was 235 lbs, and worked out daily, so trust me, I ate A LOT of food before this happened. Thing is, now im barely eating. No appetite at all.

Ive brought this up to the dr in the past few months, and he said its depression. Bull crap, im not depressed buddy. Ive been depressed, I know what its like, and you have no warrant to say that based on just not wanting to eat alone. Heck, my neuropsych says im not even close to depressed. Everytime I ask, he just says that.

The new neurologist im seeing says she has no clue, but maybe its because of all the meds ive been on, and the fact that im not really physically active anymore. Ok, thats a start I guess, but I still dont buy it. I literally force myself to eat dinner now adays. I could still go for days not eating if I desired, and I have, but I want to know why, or maybe why?!
Anyone know why this happens with brain injuries? When will it return to normal? Going back to doctor soon, so trying to compile a list of stuff to ask, again.....

[Mark in Idaho]

Kev,

Have you had your Thyroid levels checked ? Improper Thyroid function can cause a lack of appetite. Also, boredom and stress.

I'm enjoying my new weight. I was 187 before July 2013. I'm 157 now. I'm 5'10"+

I have not eaten out of a sense of hunger in decades. I eat because I sense a lack of energy, mentally and otherwise. Other times, I eat out of discipline.

[Bruins88]

No I have not. Asked both drs already and both said I was grasping at straws trying to find answers, that I need to relax and take more time.....

[russiarulez]

I've been having weird appetite swings as well in addition to stomach issues.
This past winter I had crazy cravings for sugar. I always had a sweet tooth, but this was something else, I was like a drug addict looking for a fix.
Like Mark said it's probably a good idea to have thyroid/hormones checked which I will be doing in January.

[Mark in Idaho]

Kev, If you are not losing too much weight, they have a point. But, if you are dropping weight too much, you should push for a Thyroid test.

[Kitty]

kevbo887, if you don't feel like eating you might want to drink a high protein drink like Ensure.

Whenever I don't have an appetite I usually can handle one of these type drinks if they are really cold. At least you'll be getting some needed nutrients and protein.

I would press the doctor to run tests and find out why you have no appetite.

[qtipsq]

How do you plan to heal if you are not eating anything? I thought that a complete diet was the first step to heal. I myself make really nasty smoothies that I chug down for the sake of nutrients. I throw everything in them, raw eggs, almond milk, broccoli, spinach, carrots, berries, coconut oil. They taste like crap but I know that my body is psyched on them. I mean think of food as medicine, if you don't eat your medicine how will you heal?

[Estreetfan]

I have had no appetite since my accident - it will be 3 years soon. I was told it happens sometimes with frontal lobe injury.

My doctor gave me a stern lecture about not letting my blood sugar go low and that the brain needs to be fed on a regular basis. So I schedule my meals - 4 small meals and a couple snacks per day and I eat whether I feel like it or not.

What I have discovered is that the best thing I can do for my intense headaches that come with nausea is to eat like a lumberjack - good nutritious food. Amazing but it works to lessen the headache and the nausea goes away.

I am noticing now (just in the last few months) that my stomach has started rumbling when it needs to be fed so that helps me remember to eat.

[Abbilee]

My appetite is swinging wildly around. My accident was in January too.

I love food and have always had a very good appetite, even when I'm ill I want to eat, in fact I worked hard to lose weight and lost 2 stone plus last year to get to a healthier weight.

Now I'm struggling to eat and hardly feel hungry but I figured it was the depression, I'm pretty depressed.

I've also found I'm not hungry all day but late at night get hungry and eat loads of junk.

Would be interested to hear other people's experiences of this

[Bud]

Kevbo,

I just noticed this post....I have the same thing going on. I am 6' and 225 when this started but am down to 195 and finally stable.

I exercise and have ate well and love to eat as well. Since my head I enjoy dinner usually...the other two meals are force feeding.

This started before 6 months before the anxiety/ panic set in so it ain't no depression problem. Basically I would say it is like sleep, really off cycle.

Bud