My boyfriend doesn't want to eat. I'm worried about him.

[Anonymous]

Hey, guys!

So I'm together with a wonderful man, we're together for 3 years and living together for 2. Some time ago my boyfriend started to have health problems and after doctor check we found out that he has hepatitis C, a liver disease.

The thing is that he has almost no appetite at all. He just eats something a little bit at breakfast and also only because I make him to. Then he goes to job and spends the whole day without eating anything. That's normal for him, I guess, because even before he started to feel bad, he never liked to eat during his working hours. I think that after some pieces of bread in breakfast and then whole day without any food a person should be dying of hunger in the evening. When he comes home, I always prepare some dinner for us, but he doesn't really touch it. First I thought that maybe there's something wrong with my cooking, but he says that no, it's fine, he's just not hungry.

Doctor said that it's very common for hepatitis patients to lose appetite. He's using some preparations for his liver and feels better, he's energetic and drinking a lot of fluids, but his eating worries me. He's losing weight and I'm afraid that he'll just faint at some point. I would be ready to get any food for him just to see him eat. I love him very much and when I think about what might happen, I get really scared. Human cannot live without food. He keeps comforting me that he's fine, but for how much longer?

[Bowyn Aerrow]

The problem with eating... or not eating... is once you have done it for a while then hunger just never seems to hit anymore.

Seems to me he has done the not eating so long his hunger pangs are weak to non-existent - which is problematic. Further more, he stomach may have shrunk - so a few bites here, a bite there will leave him filling full.

That coupled with a health condition - most likely nothing sounds good, smells good, tastes good - he is going to have problems.

There are supplemental health drinks on the market, not so much dietary replacements but supplements that give a body their full count of nutrients. Perhaps doctor can sign off on his using one of those like Ensure?

These drinks stave off starvation and are often easier to force down than solid foods. 16 servings/bottles run about $20.00 where I live. I drink 1-2 a day most days... IF I remember too

http://ensure.com/products/ensure-nutrition-shake gives the nutritional value - mind only 180-250 calories per serving depending on the product. These are not food replacements - however they work in a pinch. Hospital will use these with patients who can't keep down solids or anorexics 'forced diets'.

There are other products - there is this fruit smoothy product (I can't recall the name) that is high in protein and is 400 calories per 12 ounce bottle. You can make your own: https://www.google.com/#psj=1&q=400+calo...ie&spell=1 Various sites out there cover this.

Now there are protein waters and waters which are supplements. While he may not eat at work, he might drink a 'juice-like' product which is chocked full of nutrients and stuff.

Since he has a dietary issue here, perhaps smoking pot will help? I have no idea where you live, but a lot of places now have medical marijuana which does tend to lead to the munchies. Even if the medical pot isn't legal in your area, there is synthetic pills with the active ingredient which boosts hunger. Talk to the doctor.

Doctor may also be able to refer him to a food specialist/dietician/nutritionist who will undoubtedly have other tricks to get around the depressed appetite.

[Geminize]

I agree with BA. If he's losing weight and doesn't need to, he should talk to his doc about it. Check out nutritional drinks if he is more inclined to drink than eat.

[matty7]

not eating is going to cause problems sooner rather than later, its just a fact,,Geminize has said what I would have - vitamin drinks etc, even supplements for gym training like weight gainers etc just to see if that can maintain his weight and keep his immune system goin cos if that starts to fail he will be open to viruses and all the rest - get him back to the docs m8,,, that's the person who really has the info you need

[Rawr]

I'm no expert, but you say he's drinking a lot of fluids? perhaps it may be good idea to purchase a blender and start blending some fruits and vegetables for him. I find smoothies nice tasting drinks, and it's also a nice way to gain vitamins and all that. Maybe someone else has a better insight, but it's a decent enough suggestion?

[Woollyhats]

Well you said he drinks fine, consider getting him things like "Ensure" (drinkable meals), and giving him several small meals throughout the day.

On a personal level, I rarely feel hunger any more, and it's a consequence of going through a period of time when I never ate, since in highschool, I went through a bit of a break up over a relationship that never really existed, and love pains make me feel sick, so I went several months eating only what was required for me to stay alive. As for your boyfriend, he probably doesn't feel hunger because he didn't eat for a long period of time either.

So it will be easier for him to force feed himself small meals, meals that taste delicious to him, and liquids.... Also, talk to your doctor as well, he might have some advice, and it will be useful for him/her to know his loss of appetite, in case it's because of a problem.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he's HIV+ or has AIDS?

Make him get tested and make sure to be there when he gets the results.

[Anonymous]

No, he doesn't have HIV. He has hepatitis.

[Arkansota]

Maybe he's HIV+ or has AIDS?

Make him get tested and make sure to be there when he gets the results.

That is an absurd statement. There are dozens of medical conditions that can cause loss of appetite.