I was stopped by an elderly woman who knows my mum has dementia, her husband has it also but is now in a care home . she said I looked terrible, and that I needed a break. I asked my sister if I looked unwell and was glad when she said no, I looked ok. my friend who I see went on holiday for 3 weeks, when she saw me , she looked shocked, said my face had sunk in, the weight I lost in 3 months was unreal. She said she knew I was losing but didn't want to upset me. a few more people have remarked on this, I knew my clothes were too loose, but I put it down to either they were obviously big made, or the tumble drier must have made them like this.as well as my 2 sisters helping to take of my mum, she also has a carer in the morning to shower, and make her breakfast, another at night getting her ready for her bed, she is never left alone for long.the carer remarked on my weight, my other sister said I looked terrible, that the bones in my shoulders were showing. I take my mother shopping, pushing her wheelchair is difficult, she is small, but very heavy.i keep putting it down to stress and anxiety, I do eat, adding veg, and also fruit, the only thing I feel different with is tiredness.i walk the dog, do gardening when I have the time, something I have done for years, so this is nothing different,i have now made an appointment to see my doctor at the beginning of next month, but I feel im wasting his time, I have never told him I worry about my mum, nor that she has vascular dementia and is getting worst.i take care of all her finances, and thankfully trusted by my sisters 100%, so that does not worry me at all.i have lost 2 stone in 3 months, I was a size 12-14, now a 8-10.i feel like avoiding people now in case I hear about how terrible I look.i do worry, but everyone would to see the person who is a mum disappear, and become like a stranger, getting our names mixed up, forgetting the memories we had with her, and becoming so confused, it does hurt.has anyone lost weight due to stress & anxiety, I would like to think im not alone, thanks.
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I was never prideful about my appearance but I used to be attractive or so I was told, and it is almost like a lot of folks are somewhat enjoying watching me fall apart before their eyes. I never had anything handed to me, always had to work my butt off for everything I got but I managed to do it....a lot of what I did I did for friends and family, who have long since flown the coop...and yet, it's all on me for doing it...the question I just keep thinking is ...how did I let this happen to me....in some ways I have let it happen all my life, it is just that the final episode, caregiving, has finally brought the pattern out where I can no longer hide it....maybe if any of it had ever been appreciated it might have made a difference. I don't feel that anything I have done is appreciated, EXCEPT by Mama and Daddy, so I just keep on keeping. I can totally see that there will not be another chapter to my life...This is the final chapter...I can feel it...my health is going down the tubes, I hurt all over and it is not normal pain, there are all kinds of signs of trouble but I can't address them properly and I don't even want to know anymore...my only prayer is that God will let me remain able to care for Mama as long as she needs me and place my beloved cats in loving homes and then I am ready to go.
When I have a serious illness, surgery etc that kills my apetite. Right now I also have swallowing difficulties so that slows down the amount of food consumed.
But the answer the original question stress does play a part and a visit to the Dr is essentail.
But to answer your question, yes, the stress of having my dad in a nursing home at the end of his life caused me to lose at least 20 lbs.