Hi Everyone,
I have a serious problem with food. I use food to deal with emotions and I am a chronic overreater.
Usually I am able to deal with it and eat mostly keto. However since radiotherapy I have been eating sugar. I do eat protein and vegetables but my craving for sugar is really bad.
I am wandering if this is a side effect of radiotherapy or if I am having an addiction binge which I do have from time to time.
I have put on three kilos in four weeks. I have now stopped radiotherapy but find myself still eating things like sugar and bread.
What I am trying to work out is whether or not this is my addiction or whether it is a true thing for radiotherapy.
I would be grateful to hear of any similar experiences.
Thank you
Jackie
Hi Jackie
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing some sugar cravings post treatment.
My experience of radiotherapy was that it made me feel really unwell and I was only able to eat really bland and plain food during treatment and for some time after. I did not have any cravings.
I wonder whether the emotional aspect of going through cancer may be triggering your previous eating issues. Radiotherapy is not an easy treatment and I found the constant travelling challenging. After radiotherapy ended there was a period where the side effects intensified before slowly becoming more manageable.
I found the following programme helpful. it is free and all online. You can just dip in and out at your own pace.
Online HOPE programme for your patients | Macmillan Cancer Support
It may well be worth mentioning to your CNS/doctor that you are experiencing these cravings just in case there is a need for bloods to rule out any potential physical cause. We are not medically trained on here and can only really talk from our own experiences or signpost you to other advice. However it would seem a sensible step.
Jane
