7 replies to this topic

[gayle31]

Hi I am new to the site and I have an 8 year old son who has SCI T1-T3 due to an spinal abscess at birth. He is a very happy active boy however he is not gaining any weight and we have been told we need to increase his fat and calorie intake and the quantities he eats. This is proving difficult, he doesn't have a great appetite, says he's hungry and doesn't eat anything and gets distressed at the thought of more food as he seems to get full really quickly. He also loves fruit and veg but we have been told to limit that in favour of higher fat and calorific foods - this then impacts the bowels!! We could start tube feeding him again but my fear is that reduces what little appetite he has. Does anyone know if the level of injury can affect feelings of hunger and the amount they can eat? We have had no referral to SCI injury specialists and feel we are definitely at a point where his Pediatricians do not have the expertise required.
Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

[edlee]

Here in the States,, there is no shortage of fattening stuff. Any McDonald's franchise can load a thousand caleries into what most would consider a light lunch. I don't know what kinds of fast food/carry out places are popular in the UK. As expansive as McDonalds is, I would suspect there are a few there that could fatten up your son in short order.

There are also dietary suppliment drinks,,, some that don't taste half bad,, that you might consider, before tube feeding. I'm sure he would prefer the former to the latter. I used them for a while, while recovering and in rehab,, when my appetite turned off.

The key is taste. If he likes the taste,, he WILL eat more of it. Good luck.
ed

[ebeth]

The only suggestions I have is if he likes fruits and veggies, maybe pair them with a high caloric food. For example, eating peanut butter with fruit, or veggies with a high fat dip. Try introducing more high caloric dense foods into his diet. At the same time, be sure he's getting enough fiber - not necessarily from fruits and veggies, but from bran muffins and other high fiber foods. Hopefully this will offset any possible bowel issues.

[quadinva]

Im sorry I don't have any suggestions as to how to solve the problem, but I do eat much less than pre-sci. I sometimes have to schedule meals or else Id forget to eat due to the lack of feeling hungry. I dont know if my lack of hunger is a result of using less energy or not being able to feel my stomach, but I definitely dont eat as much and do get full much more quickly.-Bags

[goose]

Hey Gayle

Welcome to the forum! Have you tried eating lots of small meals? Milkshakes with protein powder. I think you can get it that's just for weight gaining. Peanut butter on fruit was a good idea. I wouldn't give up the fruit and veggies just add to them. What about brownies with nuts? (this seems to be a forum favorite) Don't push food on him since that can be a turn off...wait till he gets hungry then he'll eat.


I would think as long as he's active and feels okay then weight shouldn't be a problem. Some kids are just skinny and then they grow out of it. Bad eating choices now to gain weight could cause problems later on. Doctors here in the states don't push trying to gain weight any more. I was a skinny kid whose mom was always trying to get me to gain weight...that just pushed me away from food.

[wheeliebear75]

In winter my B/F makes a smoothie/shake for me to try & keep some of the weight on.....

peanut-butter
bananas
ice-cream or yogurt (vanilla or strawberry)
substitute ensure for milk (pick your flavor)

These don't taste AS good as a regular shake but they're not too bad & they're easier to choke down than a meal. BUT I know what MY problem is, it's due to the pain making my stomach upset.

I would ask the Dr. about our need for fiber.....we can be so prone to getting plugged up.

[Trinity]

gayle31, on 26 October 2011 - 03:34 PM, said:

Hi I am new to the site and I have an 8 year old son who has SCI T1-T3 due to an spinal abscess at birth. He is a very happy active boy however he is not gaining any weight and we have been told we need to increase his fat and calorie intake and the quantities he eats. This is proving difficult, he doesn't have a great appetite, says he's hungry and doesn't eat anything and gets distressed at the thought of more food as he seems to get full really quickly. He also loves fruit and veg but we have been told to limit that in favour of higher fat and calorific foods - this then impacts the bowels!! We could start tube feeding him again but my fear is that reduces what little appetite he has. Does anyone know if the level of injury can affect feelings of hunger and the amount they can eat? We have had no referral to SCI injury specialists and feel we are definitely at a point where his Pediatricians do not have the expertise required.
Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

If he has a poor appetite then obviously every calorie counts! I had a friend who needed an immense amount of calories a day because of her health issues, some of the ways to increase calorie counts include mixing extra cream, butter and cheese into foods such as mash potato, fried food instead of grilled etc You can also get a tasteless powder called maxijul which can be mixed into any food, soup, drink ect to give a boost there is also calogen which is a small "shot" of pink (strawberry I think) liquid which is very calorific. If he's not already seeing one get a referral to a dietician. There are many many many different supplement drinks around, it may be a slow process working through them but there may well be one out there he will like. They taste a million times better straight from the fridge too otherwise try making your own with fruit, milk, cream, ice cream, meringue all blended up together.

[Edinburgh Colin]

gayle31, on 26 October 2011 - 03:34 PM, said:

Hi I am new to the site and I have an 8 year old son who has SCI T1-T3 due to an spinal abscess at birth. He is a very happy active boy however he is not gaining any weight and we have been told we need to increase his fat and calorie intake and the quantities he eats. This is proving difficult, he doesn't have a great appetite, says he's hungry and doesn't eat anything and gets distressed at the thought of more food as he seems to get full really quickly. He also loves fruit and veg but we have been told to limit that in favour of higher fat and calorific foods - this then impacts the bowels!! We could start tube feeding him again but my fear is that reduces what little appetite he has. Does anyone know if the level of injury can affect feelings of hunger and the amount they can eat? We have had no referral to SCI injury specialists and feel we are definitely at a point where his Pediatricians do not have the expertise required.
Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

I have not really been hungry since my accident and can go for a day or two without eating and do not feel any different. My mood is obviously affected and probably my energy levels but there is no feeling of emptiness or desire to eat. I can sit down to a meal with the wife and kids and eat a reasonable adult potion but I do feel full and quite often a bit uncomfortable afterwards.

I don't know if this helps much but it's my feeling for the last 2 years as an incomplete T3/4 so comparable level to your son.

EC