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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Lack Of Appetite And Vomiting While On Dilaudid In A Cancer Patient?

My husband is a cancer patient in remission from Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. 3 months since last radiation treatment. For several months he has had excruciating pain in area of stoma from iliostomy in 1995 due to ulcerative colitis. In October he had 4 hospital stays. They just keep him on Dilaudid 25 mgs which he takes every 4 hours. Also a Fentanyl Patch 50 mgs changed every 72 hours. No doctor/surgeon has found cause of pain. . My theory is that this heavy use of Dilaudid may be cause of inability to eat or drink. We have to force Powerade, etc. Try to get a lot of calories & protein in him. He has lost great deal of weight. 35 lbs since chemo began in January. But most loss has been in last month. He cannot eat. Thought of food causes nausea, disgust, vomiting. Living on Powerade & Ensure (only vanilla) Do you think there is anything to the possibility of using Dilaudid could cause this. He is dying from starvation in front of us. So weak, confused, angry, crying. He is 75.
Mon, 11 Feb 2019
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
H,

I am really sorry to hear about his condition and all his sufferings. Yes, Dilaudid is an opioid and one common side effect of opioids such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Constipation is another cause of loss of appetite which may be caused by the same drug. So yes it's possible. If the pain is better now, we may think of gradually tapering the drug.

Other then the drug, his chemotherapy, his own disease can also cause severe loss of appetite. Whatever is the reason, it important to address the cause. There are a few medicines available which may help his appetite a lot. So you should raise your concerns with his doctor.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mahboob Ur Rahman, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Lack Of Appetite And Vomiting While On Dilaudid In A Cancer Patient?

H, I am really sorry to hear about his condition and all his sufferings. Yes, Dilaudid is an opioid and one common side effect of opioids such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Constipation is another cause of loss of appetite which may be caused by the same drug. So yes it s possible. If the pain is better now, we may think of gradually tapering the drug. Other then the drug, his chemotherapy, his own disease can also cause severe loss of appetite. Whatever is the reason, it important to address the cause. There are a few medicines available which may help his appetite a lot. So you should raise your concerns with his doctor. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mahboob Ur Rahman, General & Family Physician