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Neuroendocrine tumours

Robin4fronts
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Hello

I have been diagnosed with primary prostate neuroendocrine tumour that has spread to lymph, liver and bone. 

I have followed a pretty good regimen in terms of healthy eating and exercise, guided by a physio who has experience with bone cancer patients.

After my second chemo of carboplatin-only treatment (due to poor liver function) I have been able to move to etopicide and carboplatin due to improved liver function. However I have struggled to retain body weight and energy and my exercises have ceased due to no energy and really low mood.

can you help me with some advice to get my weight up and help increase my energy? Thank you

  • Hi Robin4fronts

     

    Welcome to the Online Community here at Macmillan. My name is Vanessa, and I am one of the cancer information nurses here at the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.

     

    I can see you have joined several of our online forums. I hope you are finding them a helpful place to access support and ask questions.

    I’m sorry to see you are struggling with weight loss and low mood but so glad you have felt able to contact us.

    Weight loss can be a common problem when diagnosed with or being treated for cancer. Its important to ensure that any additional symptoms, for example, nausea or pain are treated to ensure you can eat and drink comfortably. Your GP or allocated nurse specialist would be able to help you with this if required.

    You may also find our information on a building up diet useful. This information gives background information as well as additional links to information to help you  maximise the calories in every mouthful. We also have a list of meal ideas and a suggested shopping list.

    Cancer Research UK has additional tips for putting on weight.

    Whilst Penny Brohn has a whole range of online and face to face resources in relation to eating well.

    It sounds like you have worked hard in relation to your fitness and loss of an ability to exercise must be very frustrating for you. I wonder if you might find some of the move more resources provided by Penny Brohn helpful? They have various online and face to face sessions including gentle movement sessions and yoga. You can also ask for a personal consultation.

    You do mention low mood and although eating well and trying to move more may help with this I also want to include a couple of additional resources.

    Understanding low mood appears to be aimed at younger people but it gives a good summary of how we can perpetuate our own low mood as well as things you can do to try and improve your mood.

    Better Health also has some information about low mood including a short video about what you can do when your mood is low.

    I hope you find this information helpful. You can also always us directly if you want to talk over your concerns or require any further support.

     

    Take care

     

    Vanessa G, 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 VG/LA

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