Vomiting and Nausea after BMT

Hi Lori,
He was diagnosed will ALL in July 2023. They did traditional chemotherapy the first month but it didn't work so they did chemo and added immunotherapy which brought him into remission in October 2023.
There really does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to his nausea and vomiting, it's very random. He is looking weight quickly (24 lbs in 3 months). He is still hospitalized and has zero appetite. I've tried some of his favorite foods and he barely touches them.
His mental health has really deteriorated in the past few days, he's irritable and just wants to sleep all day/night. He wants more than anything to get out of the hospital but is unable to meet the criteria of up and walking and eating.
As a Mom it is difficult to see him struggle so much. I just wish he could start feeling better. He told me, "everyone keeps telling me how good my numbers look, but I can't feel it." Thanks for listening.

Wendy

Hi Wendy. I’m so sorry your son is having such a challenging time with the nausea. For me too, that was the worst part of the whole process. As a mom I’m sure you feel so helpless and frustrated because there is little you can do to change how he’s feeling. I watched my husband age during my whole AML/transplant odyssey. For both of us, my lack of appetite and nausea was the most troubling. That actually started with my chemo for AML and then carried over with the transplant several months later.
For whatever reason, some of us have more nausea than others. I lost a total of 40-50 pounds between the AML chemo and then with the transplant…and I’m not a large person. I understand how frightening this level of weight loss looks and feels. Sadly, malnutrition can take a toll mentally as well as physically.

My husband was determined to get me to eat. I’d instantly get nauseated if a plate of food was set in front of me. So he started creating very small, bite sized, pieces of food for me and only put one or two at a time on a saucer. For instance there might be two little 1 inch square pieces of a PBJ sandwich or a bite or two of Swanson’s Canned white breast of chicken, or he’d broil chicken and cut it in pieces and serve with a veggie. Sometimes it would be little Ritz crackers with cheese and chunks of apple, or a spoonful of hot dish or bite of burger. You get the idea. He brought little jars of baby food and Kozy Shack Rice Pudding. Rice Krispie bars and banana bread were also something I could tolerate. I didn’t do well with Ensure shakes but I could occasionally drink Ensure protein infused juice. I know, some of these don’t sound healthy but my dietician was adamant she didn’t care what I ate as long as there were calories going in. ☺️.

What finally helped to pack meat on my bones, Lactaid Ice cream~Salted Caramel. My husband made me smoothies and for some reason I could drink those and keep them down. There was enough protein, fat and sugar to help me gain weight. Little by little he’d introduce some protein powder into the shakes. That powder has a peculiar taste and even though I lost my sense of taste, I could still ‘smell’ it?

At some point I would think your son’s doctor would suggest a feeding tube. My doctor was going to this for me if I continued to have problems eating. Another person I mentor locally in my home town had a transplant last year and wasn’t able to eat either. Her doctor was concerned and requested a feeding tube for a couple of weeks to provide her with nutrients. It worked to get her jump started back to health. It could be a good option for son. With nutrition, his mental health should improve. It would be wonderful if he could get out of the hospital. That takes a toll mentally as well.
Has his doctor discussed appetite stimulants or a feeding tube?

Hi Lori,
His doctor has mentioned a feeding tube but my son is adamant he doesn't want one. I understand his hesitation but his body is lacking and he is considered malnourished. However he is an adult and has the final say. He came home from the hospital this past Sunday. He hasn't felt great and tonight he threw up again a lot. It just feels like there is no end in sight. Thanks for all of your suggestions and for listening.

Wendy

Hi Lori,
His doctor has mentioned a feeding tube but my son is adamant he doesn't want one. I understand his hesitation but his body is lacking and he is considered malnourished. However he is an adult and has the final say. He came home from the hospital this past Sunday. He hasn't felt great and tonight he threw up again a lot. It just feels like there is no end in sight. Thanks for all of your suggestions and for listening.

Wendy