Question For a Friend??? Please Help

I really am not sure of the answer. What happens if you stop taking your vitamins? What are the sign's of malnutrition? She stopped taking her vitamin's about 3 week's ago. She is tired all of the time now, has big dark circles under her eye's, and complains of headache's. Could this be from not taking vitamins? I don't think she is eating properly either, I believe she said she is taking in between 284 to 607 calories a day for the past 6 weeks. Any answers or advice I can pass along would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, May God bless you, Annette

Is she doing her protein? How far out is she? Of course this is from malnutrition, and she needs to knock it off. why is she doing this intentionally? Is it that she can't afford it or she just doesn't want to do it? Get on to her about all of this , she's doing major damage and will soon be hospitalized. Hugs Linda

Hi Linda, I should have asked her about her protein, but I did'nt. She said she ran out and hasn't been able to get any more. Think I'll go get her some. Thank you Linda. God bless you, Annette

Annette: Why is she doing this? We go through this surgery to get healthy, not put our health at risk!!!! She sounds like she needs some counseling and may be going through depression. There are drugs for that and she needs to get some NOW! She's losing bone mass, the iron that keeps us healthy can be depleted quickly, that has a lot to do with energy levels. She can be hurting all her organs. Without the protein and such low calories, her body is going to start shutting down. She is literally killing herself. The electrolytes are probably shot, too. She better get back on those vitamins and eat! She can get chewables on sale at any drug store or Meijer's. Most of the time you can get buy one get one free at Meijer's. Pam

Thank you Pam. I know she is having a hard time right now. She told me she ran out of the vitamins and hasn't been able to get any. I'm going to give her some vitamins, show her the replys from you all, and have a talk with her. Thank you for the help. God bless you, Annette

Hhhhhmmmm, send her to my profile. I didn't stop taking my vitamins, but I certainly found out the hard way that my body was not absorbing any of the vitamins I was taking!!! Either way, it's the same results. My result was ending up in ER being told I had a stroke!!!! (not so good). Vitamin deficiency can lead to all kinds of physical problems. I spent a lot of time in the hospital trying to find out what was wrong with me. Most docs just assume that if you're taking vits then you're absorbing them - not necessarily the case. This friend needs some major intervention right away before she is left with permanent damage. She can not go on eatting less then 600 calories per day. Her body is going to start shutting down. Kidney, liver, heart problems all will result. If she can't EAT more food then she's got to get the calories in through liquid. I had to do that for a long time because I couldn't eat enough food with my ulcer and hernia. If she's not taking her vits and not eatting enough; then I assume that shes not drinking enough either. This person is on a downward spiral that ends in the grave!! Why she's where she's at is important to find out. Is it a physical problem? (stricture, hernia, ulcer, etc) Is it a psycological problem? (depression, anarexia, etc) I guess the advice I'd suggest is for her to get in to see her surgeon ASAP!!! They should rule out physical problems and get her on to the correct person for help. It sounds like she could use a nutritional consultation as well!! Give her hugs, tell her she can do this!!! Encourage her all that you can. I'm sure this is a depressing time for her. Laurie

Thank you Laurie. I will ask to to read your profile. I don't think she is doing this on purpose. She has a lot going on in her life right now. She did make an appointment to see a psych. thats a start. God bless you, Annette

We call that starvation/malnutrition. A very slow and painful way to die especially when you dehydrate. She needs to slowly add to her eating. Protein shakes with vites in the are best. Myoplex Lite and Isopure will help. Fruit 2o plus is great and chelated vites are a must. It must be taken all day long in small amounts. Tell your friend to get with the program. Sorry, That's the truth. kp

Thank you Kevin, No need to apologize. I took some stuff to her tonight. If she does'nt start to look and feel better soon I'm going to make her go to the Dr. Thank you. God bless you, Annette