problem eating.. 30ml fortisip 4 x a day enough ?

thank u ... i think on a good day im up to 300 cal .... so it might explain why im feeling so rough .. 

Hello Steph.   I'm sorry that you are struggling to get eat / drink the Fortisips very well, but you really need to get the nutrition down in order to help your body recover from the treatment .... Rosame has offered some good advice, too.

I can't stress enough the importance of trying to keep your weight / nutrition up - towards the end of my radiotherapy I lost way too much and really suffered for it. I know that it can be ever so hard but you have to keep persisting .... if the Fortisips are unpalatable then ask to try something different, perhaps something from the Ensure drinks range ? Maybe a word with your dietitian would help as she can recommend other products for you to try.

Without something substantial in your stomach then you will most like as not feel sick and nauseous, so please do talk to someone about it as the medical team is there to help - take care.

Joycee x

Hello again Steph.   Just a thought, if I am remembering rightly so far you have only had a tongue biopsy and are awaiting surgery ? If so, it really is important to have more than 300 calories per day - this is far below the recommended daily allowance.

As Rosame said, your body does take a battering and has to have the nutriton to heal .... so talk to your medical team as soon as possible. After my RT I had to have a nasogastric tube put back for feeding because my weight went under seven stones and I was dehydrated - so please try your best, sweetheart !

Joycee x

Hi Steph,

Without wanting to sound like a nagging mother you really need to get more down you.  I, like all the others on here know how hard it can be when your mouth is sore to get anything down you but you must!  I wasn't keen on the Fortisip or Fortijuice either as to begin with they aren't the best.  I went through all of the flavours until I found one that was the easiest to consume (Strawberry).

Speak with your medical team and let them know you are struggling, your body needs to be as strong as possible to prepare for any possible treatment that might be suggested.

During the peak of my radiotherapy I was having 4-5 fortisip a day through my PEG feeding tube and still losing weight, I think this highlights that you need to speak with your GP or whoever you are currently liaising with.

We're all behind you whatever the results of your biopsy may be!

Keep trying with the fortisip/fortijuice, your body will thank you.

Best wishes

Gen x

Hi Steph, if i was you forget about trying to eat whole food and take liquid supplements for the time being so you are able to build your strength back up. You will feel better and not as exhausted you seem to be doing more harm than good. If you do not get on with the juice you are taking ask to try a different company ,as there are a few to choose from ,for example Ensure that come in about 7 different flavours ,so have a word with your dietician.Best of luck.Chris

Hi roseanne a i led to beleive yu had neck surgery and since then have had trouble swallowing, i had a neck disectomy 5 weeks ago and cant seem to swallow properly, was wondering if anyone else is going through the same thing x

Hi Steph

Have the team not suggested  a naso-gastric or PEG feeding tube?  My husband stopped eating (because he couldn't swallow in week 3 of RT.  I know you haven't started treatment yet but he takes water, enteral feeds and Fortisips plus protein shakes straight down the tube. He's taking at least 1500 calories per day and still losing a little weight due to RT, so I urge you to talk to the team. Our dietitian has been brilliant. If they want you to continue eating by mouth, try and get Metoclopramide Liquid prescribed (anti sickness) or a PPI like omeprazole (to stop reflux and generally calm your stomach).

All the best

Pip

Hi Pip. 
Steph posted in 2013.