Nutrition advice

FormerMember over 4 years ago

3 replies
28 subscribers
771 views

Hello, I’m being treated for secondary bone cancer and the chemo has the unfortunate side effect of knocking my taste buds for six, everything I try to eat tastes absolutely terrible. My mouth is also very dry and so each mouthful has to be washed down with some water. Having spent 5 weeks continually trying different things and failing, I am now extremely anxious and stressed as I am losing too much weight. I don’t feel as though I can ‘force feed’ myself any longer. But I have another 21 weekly treatments to go.

The taste of sweet things such as yogurt, ice cream or fruit is also completely unpalatable, so I really feel I have a huge problem. I haven’t slept for the past 3 nights mainly due to the anxiety of this situation.

I was wondering if it would be possible to change to some form of liquid diet? This might come with it’s own issues, but at least I’d be getting more nutrients in myself than I am now.

Has anyone else experienced something similar, or would an expert be able to offer some advice?

FormerMember over 4 years ago

sorry to hear you are struggling to eat, my dad is also struggling and we were advised to buy mass weight gain powder which is 500 calories a scoop, he then has full fat milk, ice cream and peanut butter then blends with ice, this makes it up to about 900 calories in one drink. I’m not sure on nutrients but it’s great for getting calories in. We got the powder from B&M it was around £13

i know you are struggling with sweet but might be worth a try

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thanks for this information, I will give this a try. I hope that if I drink through a straw I won’t have to worry about the taste too much. All the best to you and your dad.

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi , I just came across your post and helpful reply. i can’t tell if this is your first post but I am assuming it is as you are posting here, so welcome to the community.

I haven’t had the same experience but I know the site quite well. I wondered if you had come across the information and support section on the Macmillan site it has a section on eating problems. I went on a Macmillan HOPE course in February and 2 dieticians came along for a section on problems and they mentioned that they get referrals for problems like yours, any way I thought I’d put the link below incase it helps.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/eating-problems

You also mentioned maybe an expert replying, there is an ask an expert section, 8 noticed the dietician one is currently closed but the Ask a Nurse on is open and might be suitable.

I hope you get it sorted and your remaining treatment goes well.

I can see you have joined the secondary bone group, It might also be worth joining your primary cancer group as well for mutual support going through your treatment.

Take care