Mum won't eat

Less than one minute read time.

FormerMember

1 Feb 2010

Hi all

Mum is still in hospital and we have been told that medically there is no more that can be done for her. So it is only palliative care now. She is on morphine for the pain and seems quite at peace with herself.

The only trouble is that she refuses to eat, she is drinking a little but the hospital think that they may have to put the drip back in to top up her fluids. They do not seem concerned about her non-eating though.

Is this normal?? They seem to think it is, but surely if she doesn't eat she will reduce her time left??? Comments please...... finding this hard to reconcile in my head!

Julie x

4 comments
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Julie, I can understand your worry about your mum not eating! does she normally enjoy food? the hospital staff may not be too worried about her lack of eating as it is possible to top up her needs with certain fluids! how does ur mum feel with herself? .. could she be feeling nauseus or sore, in which case she may not feel eating! the nurses etc wont force food down her because it is important (especially in the palliatvie stage) for comfort and happiness.. and if this would cause distress to your mum then they wont do it. i think you should discuss this with her nurses and see what they say about her eating habits .. has she coompletely stopped eating? or just not enjoying food anymore!

jillian

xxxx
FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Jillian

She says that she just doesn't want to eat, and is not eating anything. This has reduced from a healthy appetite last year to a gradual weaning off of food to now.

Just a bit worried as obviously if she isn't eating it might affect what time she has left

Julie
FormerMember over 15 years ago

i understand how you must be feeling! .. have you spoken to your mum about this? and how you feel about it? .. this might be a way of slipping into conversation that you are worried about it! i would also advise that you speak to the nurses, or doctors in her ward! they should be talking to your mum about it and they should have an idea of what to do in these circumstances xx
FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Julie, if your mum doesn't want to eat

because she doesn't feel Hungary then

the nurses wont distress her by trying to

make her eat, your mum is having

fluid that's the important thing. And yes it

is the case that not eating will make your

mum less well, but her comfort and being

pain free is the utmost importance now.

Its very upsetting for you to see your mum not eating, you could try and tempt

her with a little ice cream, that's easy to swallow and a little yogurt is refreshing.

and as Jillian has said speak to the nurse

on your mums ward and tell her you are

worried about your mum not eating, and

im sure they will explain and put your mind at rest.

With Love Lucylee. xxxx