Appetite - after finishing chemo

Hi Glan,

My name is Keith and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.

I hope you are finding the support and information on the online community helpful.

Everyone can be affected by any diagnosis and its treatment in so many ways. It’s difficult on this platform to discuss and advise on individual situations for this reason.

Side effects and duration of side effect are variable from person to person and in some cases can be more chronic and last indefinitely where others resolve at varying timescales.

It’s good to hear that your treatment has gone well, and you are recovering well and you have returned to your normal weight.

However you mentioned you are still currently having maintenance therapy but didn’t mention what treatment you are having. Even with maintenance therapy side effects may still be possible. One of them being loss of appetite as well as others.

As I have said everyone is affected differently by their treatment. If your symptoms don’t improve it may be worthwhile contacting your treatment team to investigate this further. They may also refer you to other health professionals to help with this situation, for example for a possible dietetic review as well as other possible solutions. Which may involve trying different things with medical support and on your own. But always check in with your treatment team before trying anything different just to be on the safe side, as they would know you best and would be best placed to support you with this issue.

Diet and nutrition is so import all throughout your treatment as well as into your recovery time after treatment, looking at this information from Lymphoma Action may be helpful also.

 If you’d like further explanation or have any other questions, please feel free to recontact us, either on this platform or give one of our cancer information nurses a call on our help line.

take care

Keith, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref KM/GG

Hi Thank you for this.  My maintenance is obinutuzumab, the same as the regime I had in chemo O-CVP.  I believe there should be no problems with side effects as some people on here have mentioned.  But no-one has mentioned the lack of appetite - still - perhaps I am being impatient, as I do feel very well.  I did mention this to my own CNS team and they suggested maybe I had COVID as this also has loss of taste side effects - I did the tests a few times, and gladly there were negative!  I do try to eat sensibly as well, but sometimes, I cannot face vegetables etc., cooked or otherwise - but I still have them - in a smaller portion - so I think I am doing my best thing.  I will monitor it more going into maintenance. This is every two months, so end of August if still, experiencing loss of appetite, I will mention it again.  I also take an antiviral, antifungus every day an an antibiotic 3 times a week.  Perhaps they might be contributing to the appetite business?  Many thanks.

Hi Glann,

Thanks for getting back in touch.

I’m glad you’ve talked through your appetite and taste changes with your CNS and am even more relieved you don’t have COVID.

It sounds like you’re doing everything to make sure you’re getting the most healthy and balanced diet you can.

Antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic medications can all cause a reduction in your appetite – let alone considering the effect of taking all 3. Yes, these could be contributing to your lack of appetite.

Taste changes can sometimes take months to get better. It could be worthwhile having a look at these recipes that were compiled by people affected by disorders affecting their taste or smell.

Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

Best wishes,

Karla, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: KS/LJ