Feeling very down

I think it's all normal, try to find things to do even if it's hard work to do anything, I got very depressed as well. The recovery takes months not weeks (not what you want to hear) and you should keep trying different foods to see what you get the best results with, just because you don't get on with something one week doesn't mean you won't the next. The best thing is to keep busy so you don't have time to dwell, I had a grandson and I think that helped me allot.

PS most get back to some kind of normal.

Yes. Agree with Ron. You’d think we would all be grateful to be alive but it doesn’t work that way. Depression is always just there hiding out of sight. 
Things will get better. 

Hi, is there anything else you enjoy doing? I certainly found it helpful to maybe do more of the things you enjoy - hobbies, sports, the arts etc?

Hi, is there anything else you enjoy doing? I certainly found it helpful to maybe do more of the things you enjoy - hobbies, sports, the arts etc?

My hospital staff tell me that I am their favourite patient. Most people of my age with my cancer treatment similar to yours are really down and have no more will to live. Yes I cant eat or do anything else and everything is a struggle and it is not getting better. One must find something else in life to make life still worth living. 

Hi Bradlou 

It is certainly normal to feel the way you do now, I went through the same thing about 2 years ago.

My taste did eventually come back but it took time. I sympathise with you but hang in there.

 I will have to go through it again as I have a second Neck Dissection coming up.

so I hope that I can practice what I preach Like I said hang in there be positive.

Thank you for your reply michael gives me hope. Good luck and best wishes for your up and coming op and treatment x

Hi Bradlou

I'm pleased your oncologist is happy with everything so far.

I too had a huge problem with my tastebuds after treatment.  All my food either tasted of nothing (which was a bonus) or tasted absolutely revolting.  There were very few foods on my menu that were bearable including all sauces.  It took about 4 months before I began to be able to  vaguely taste some vegetables.  Since then my taste has been gradually improving although variable day to day and some foods I still don't enjoy.  It's now 16 months since I finished treatment.  

I would say it's fairly normal to find the difficulty with eating frustrating to the point where it can really get you down.  I've read many posts on the forum written by people who have found their taste  continues to improve 3 years after the end of treatment so there's always hope.

As Ron advised it's good to keep trying little bits of different food every day.  What isn't ok one day may be fine another so it's important to keep trying.

Do have a chat with your GP if you feel you're becoming depressed.  You may also find an article on the internet entitled  'After the treatment finishes then what?'  by Dr Peter Harvey a helpful read.

 All the best Bradlou.

Linda

Hi Bradlou, on the food front, suggest keeping to fresh unprocessed foods, and avoid deep fried / oily foods. Try it - it may help. I found I sometimes craved oily foods but they tasted foul! By contrast fresher, palin foods actually tasted ‘normal’!

good luck !