So hard to eat anything.

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I'm about to have 4th EC chemo just after Christmas, then I switch to 4 fortnightly cycles of Paclitaxel.Then I get a wee rest, then radiotherapy.

My biggest problem is finding food which I can manage to eat since everything tastes so awful that I almost gag after a few mouthfuls. I'm losing weight, inevitably, so I'm working on a regime of finding six snacks a day just to get calories. I can sometimes manage a scrambled egg, or a Slimfast (it has vitamins etc), a wee salad with cold meat, half a yoghourt, a cuppa soup, and so on. I can't eat bread as my mouth is so dry in spite of regular mouthwash. Nurses say I must treat food as essential fuel, so I try to distract myself by watching TV or reading a book while I eat. 

Does anyone have any suggestions? Does anyone know if Paclitaxel has the same side effects? Will my sense of taste come back after chemo, and how long will it take? I sometimes despair that I won't ever enjoy food again!

  • Soup! That was a life save for me - load of nutrients and hydration too Easy to eat.

    You will definitely enjoy food again. Stick in there.

  • Maybe ask to speak to a dietician to try nutrition drinks? And possibly think about (I know it’s odd at this time of year) milk shakes with ice cream in them? 

    Hope things improve soon 

    Hugs xxx

    Moomy

  • Protein powder, the same thing body builders use, available from health shop and can be mixed with either milk, juice, or even water, and some of them come flavoured. I use these sometimes to get the needed protein when eating is not really an option.

    Eggs in any form are a great idea.

    I also take a vitamin supplement in liquid form, which my oncologist said was perfectly ok for me and even recommended.

    Freshly squeezed juice, when I am able to face it. 

    Also when things are really rough, just lemon and honey hot drink, or honey with cinnamon hot drink, as the honey is good and does provide some calories.

  • Hi, I found - and still sometimes do, sweet things taste yuk. As said by Beathebreast I also ate  lots of soup with loads of veg and shredded chicken - sometimes puréed. I also found that foods with a wee bit of a kick we’re good - mild curry, sharp cheese and salty crackers. I finished EC  mid September then Docetaxol ended end of October and I’m now starting to taste things again but not my gin!!!

    I know it seems like a long haul but you will get there. 

    Best wishes for Christmas and 2022. 

  • Try salivix plus pastilles. They will help your mouth.

    I found I could eat cereals and milk to help when I couldn’t face anything real. Also drink or eat pineapple it has an enzyme that helps you.

    Good luck!