HELP! re Megace/Other appetite remedies

[Guest guest]

At CF clinic today, the doctors recommended that my son, 17 with CF, ADD and

failure to thrive (5'ft 8 in, 106 pounds, after trying all the usual remedies

including Scandishakes, nutritionists, ensure, incentives etc etc etc) start

on Megace twice daily to stimulate his appetite. He has no pancreatic

involvement from CF but they are going to put feeding tube in place if he can't

get

weight on. Difficulty keeping weight on /gaining weight has been a life long

problem, not related to CF. I would very much appreciate any ideas/ opinions

re using megace (megestrol, which is a synthetic progesterone). I know he

needs to gain weight and the situation requires creative remedies, but I am

concerned about the side effects from megace including possible adrenal

suppression, depression, diabetes, etc.. Has anyone used Megace for weight

issues with

CF? What do people think about the benefits vs risks of using it? Any and all

suggestions re megace and/or alternatives would be appreciated as soon as

possible!!

Thanks in advance!

Marcia s, mom to , 17 w/cf and , 14 w/o cf

[Guest guest]

Hi,

are the CF docs saying that his weight gain issues are not CF related? Even

though he has no pancreatic involvement, his body is using more energy to fight

off infections than most of us. Therefore, I would think that his weight

issues, while not enzyme or absorbtion related, probably are CF related.

People with CF simply use more calories in their everyday living than those of

us without CF.

I had asked about appetite stimulants and weight gainers (like the ones for body

builders) for my daughter and was told to stay away from them because of the

side effects. So, I can't give you much info on that front. Have you tried

DuoCal? it is a tasteless powered additive that I add to a lot of foods for

. I put it in milk and other things that are liquid. (things like soup

once it has been heated, salad dressings, juices, even ketchup) I hope this

helps but the feeding tube does take the pressure to eat off.

HELP! re Megace/Other appetite remedies

At CF clinic today, the doctors recommended that my son, 17 with CF, ADD and

failure to thrive (5'ft 8 in, 106 pounds, after trying all the usual remedies

including Scandishakes, nutritionists, ensure, incentives etc etc etc) start

on Megace twice daily to stimulate his appetite. He has no pancreatic

involvement from CF but they are going to put feeding tube in place if he

can't get

weight on. Difficulty keeping weight on /gaining weight has been a life long

problem, not related to CF. I would very much appreciate any ideas/ opinions

re using megace (megestrol, which is a synthetic progesterone). I know he

needs to gain weight and the situation requires creative remedies, but I am

concerned about the side effects from megace including possible adrenal

suppression, depression, diabetes, etc.. Has anyone used Megace for weight

issues with

CF? What do people think about the benefits vs risks of using it? Any and all

suggestions re megace and/or alternatives would be appreciated as soon as

possible!!

Thanks in advance!

Marcia s, mom to , 17 w/cf and , 14 w/o cf

[Guest guest]

I know you will hear many person comments on this. I can only tell you

what I have seen & friends have used. They were very pleased with the weight

gain. BUT..they did say that once you stop taken , you must have redone your

diet & gotten back on weight gaining track in order to maintain. Sooooooo

follow all the instructions so you will be able to see the weight stay on &

he will continue to gain (maybe less-) but holding weight as gained. Good

luck & I hope it works for him.---and you all:)

LOVE & HUGS< GRANDMOMBEV

HELP! re Megace/Other appetite remedies

At CF clinic today, the doctors recommended that my son, 17 with CF, ADD and

failure to thrive (5'ft 8 in, 106 pounds, after trying all the usual

remedies

including Scandishakes, nutritionists, ensure, incentives etc etc etc)

start

on Megace twice daily to stimulate his appetite. He has no pancreatic

involvement from CF but they are going to put feeding tube in place if he

can't get

weight on. Difficulty keeping weight on /gaining weight has been a life

long

problem, not related to CF. I would very much appreciate any ideas/

opinions

re using megace (megestrol, which is a synthetic progesterone). I know he

needs to gain weight and the situation requires creative remedies, but I am

concerned about the side effects from megace including possible adrenal

suppression, depression, diabetes, etc.. Has anyone used Megace for weight

issues with

CF? What do people think about the benefits vs risks of using it? Any and

all

suggestions re megace and/or alternatives would be appreciated as soon as

possible!!

Thanks in advance!

Marcia s, mom to , 17 w/cf and , 14 w/o cf

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/20/03 2:56:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time, drea@...

writes:

Traci was on Megace about 2 years ago. It was wonderful. She gained all kinds

of weight. Almost 5 pounds in 3 months. BUT her doc quickly removed her

because research showed that it was linked to diabetes. I'm not sure how, but he

pulled her off real quick. I still say today that it was the best. She continues

to gain weight even after being off of it. It was just enough to stimulate

her appetite. She is now on Periactin, an antihistamine, also thought to

stimulate appetite. She has been on it for 2 years.

Lynette Carwana