Hello again! I just replied to your earlier post seeking info on pancan. Take a look at that, please, and if you're comfortable with it, please provide some more info so we can help you more effectively.
OK, diet. I sound like a broken record, but this too is dependent on so many factors. Here are some general thoughts:
Pancreatic cancer is called a "wasting disease." That is, patients often lose their appetite and/or are unable to pull all the nutrients and calories out of food, so they lose weight, sometimes rapidly. So obviously, nutrition and diet are really important. However, the chemo regimen (I assume the patient is doing chemo?) can be brutal on appetite, and sometimes it can cause mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea and general malaise, so sometimes you just don't want to eat anything. In my case, when I was first diagnosed, I played to what sounded good and didn't worry about a super-balanced diet. I decided calories were more important. So if sweets sounded good, I ate sweets. Baked potatoes? Yes, please. Etc. I went on food jags, eating the same things for days or weeks in a row. I also drove my spouse nuts by catering to a sudden food whim. Some patients turn to protein shakes and soft foods. Some crave meat, probably to counter anemia. And so on. Note that it makes a difference whether the patient has had the Whipple procedure, which causes diabetes. I haven't had that surgery. Finally, hydration is hugely important. I am finally able to drink lots of water, which I did before diagnosis, but it was tough at first. Some folks find sports drinks (Gatorade, Pedialyte) can help.
There are a lot of people who are adamant that cancer patients must be scrupulous about their diets. Some work very hard to avoid certain foods and/or focus solely on certain foods. I am sure people will post about this, and I'm also sure you can tell my stance from what I wrote above. Everyone has to do it the way that suits them. For individualized help with nutrition and diet, you might want to consult with a dietitian who's trained to work with oncology patients.
Does any of that help? Please post more details about your situation so we know what additional assistance to provide.
You will get a lot of very different answers to this one.
Some avoid sugar at all cost. Some go with a "metabolic" diet. Some go with lots of protein to avoid muscle wasting. There are lots of options and opinions, some with good supporting data, but not necessarily applicable to specific cases or individuals.
I've read one study showing that high sugar availability can help pancreatic cancer mutate and metastasize (spread), but read another showing that higher sugar levels could make chemo more effective because it provided a "cushy" environment that discouraged cancer cells from needing to mutate and evolve.
Bottom line, in my opinion, is whatever makes you feel good and maintain weight. People have various issues with digestion (nausea, diarrhea) with pancreas issues in general, and more so while on chemo or after a major surgery.
More specifically, nutrition is good; starving yourself or eating food that makes you feel like crap is not. One oncologist told me cancer cells, especially pancreatic cancer cells, are "stronger" than your average cell, and in attempting to "starve cancer" you'll just starve the rest of your body and brain first.
My first oncologist also recommended eating anything I wanted, as long as I gained (or at least maintained) weight. I had lost 30 pounds in the months before my diagnosis, and he pointed out I would probably lose more after 6 months of chemo, and even more after surgery. I didn't have that much to spare, so I ate like a pig and regained all 30 pounds during those 6 months on Folfirinox. As predicted, I did lose 15 pounds after the Whipple surgery, but have been stable at that weight in the 15 months since then (including these past 10 on more chemo).
I would add that as you are determining who will provide your health care, be sure they have a dietician on staff. At my physician’s office, that is the first person that sees me.
I was fortunate to have access to a hepatobiliary dietician who helped me tremendously with getting the Creon dose I needed to save my life. Make sure that pancreatic insufficiency is diagnosed if present. I initially lost 25 lb before the pancreatic insufficiency was diagnosed. It resulted in muscle weakness, I am still trying to regain.
Consult with a Registered Dietitian. Look for one with the credential of CSO (Certification Specialist Oncology). They are part of the care team and found in a pancreas and hepatobiliary/GI Cancers department. The CSO designation signifies that have 2000 hours of specialized training and familiar with the needs and requirements of GI cancer patients. They can assess an individual’s needs and specific requirements. I never needed an appointment nor was I charged a fee for their beneficial services.
My loved one was recently diagnosed.
They were not placed on a scheduled however when they don't eat on time for example breakfast which is normally between a set time they feel weird in the stomach.
They are not on any medz currently.
I'm very scared hurting afraid of the worst that can happen.
Screaming out
Can someone share experience is there hope??? I'm dying inside for my loved one.
You can find out if there is any pancreatic insufficiency which could be a factor in the symptoms. Learn as much as you can. I believe that when you learn more, you will be less anxious. You will also be able to better understand what your providers are talking about. A pancreatic center of excellence is key. The national pancreatic cancer foundation has a listing of the centers of excellence. If you have access to one of the top cancer care centers, this is also quite helpful.
Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center, New York, NY
Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston Massachusetts
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
MD Anderson, Houston Texas
Reading the posts in this discussion group give an idea of the wide range of experiences.
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What are the best food or fruits to be consumed?
Hello again! I just replied to your earlier post seeking info on pancan. Take a look at that, please, and if you're comfortable with it, please provide some more info so we can help you more effectively.
OK, diet. I sound like a broken record, but this too is dependent on so many factors. Here are some general thoughts:
Pancreatic cancer is called a "wasting disease." That is, patients often lose their appetite and/or are unable to pull all the nutrients and calories out of food, so they lose weight, sometimes rapidly. So obviously, nutrition and diet are really important. However, the chemo regimen (I assume the patient is doing chemo?) can be brutal on appetite, and sometimes it can cause mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea and general malaise, so sometimes you just don't want to eat anything. In my case, when I was first diagnosed, I played to what sounded good and didn't worry about a super-balanced diet. I decided calories were more important. So if sweets sounded good, I ate sweets. Baked potatoes? Yes, please. Etc. I went on food jags, eating the same things for days or weeks in a row. I also drove my spouse nuts by catering to a sudden food whim. Some patients turn to protein shakes and soft foods. Some crave meat, probably to counter anemia. And so on. Note that it makes a difference whether the patient has had the Whipple procedure, which causes diabetes. I haven't had that surgery. Finally, hydration is hugely important. I am finally able to drink lots of water, which I did before diagnosis, but it was tough at first. Some folks find sports drinks (Gatorade, Pedialyte) can help.
There are a lot of people who are adamant that cancer patients must be scrupulous about their diets. Some work very hard to avoid certain foods and/or focus solely on certain foods. I am sure people will post about this, and I'm also sure you can tell my stance from what I wrote above. Everyone has to do it the way that suits them. For individualized help with nutrition and diet, you might want to consult with a dietitian who's trained to work with oncology patients.
Does any of that help? Please post more details about your situation so we know what additional assistance to provide.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYou will get a lot of very different answers to this one.
Some avoid sugar at all cost. Some go with a "metabolic" diet. Some go with lots of protein to avoid muscle wasting. There are lots of options and opinions, some with good supporting data, but not necessarily applicable to specific cases or individuals.
I've read one study showing that high sugar availability can help pancreatic cancer mutate and metastasize (spread), but read another showing that higher sugar levels could make chemo more effective because it provided a "cushy" environment that discouraged cancer cells from needing to mutate and evolve.
Bottom line, in my opinion, is whatever makes you feel good and maintain weight. People have various issues with digestion (nausea, diarrhea) with pancreas issues in general, and more so while on chemo or after a major surgery.
More specifically, nutrition is good; starving yourself or eating food that makes you feel like crap is not. One oncologist told me cancer cells, especially pancreatic cancer cells, are "stronger" than your average cell, and in attempting to "starve cancer" you'll just starve the rest of your body and brain first.
My first oncologist also recommended eating anything I wanted, as long as I gained (or at least maintained) weight. I had lost 30 pounds in the months before my diagnosis, and he pointed out I would probably lose more after 6 months of chemo, and even more after surgery. I didn't have that much to spare, so I ate like a pig and regained all 30 pounds during those 6 months on Folfirinox. As predicted, I did lose 15 pounds after the Whipple surgery, but have been stable at that weight in the 15 months since then (including these past 10 on more chemo).
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1 ReactionI would add that as you are determining who will provide your health care, be sure they have a dietician on staff. At my physician’s office, that is the first person that sees me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was fortunate to have access to a hepatobiliary dietician who helped me tremendously with getting the Creon dose I needed to save my life. Make sure that pancreatic insufficiency is diagnosed if present. I initially lost 25 lb before the pancreatic insufficiency was diagnosed. It resulted in muscle weakness, I am still trying to regain.
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2 ReactionsSome helpful links on Diet and Nutrition-
http://media.pancan.org/pdf/patient-services/booklets/Diet-Nutrition-Booklet-Digital.pdfhttps://www.nyp.org/documents/nutrition/resources/Client-Ed-Whipple-Surgery-Nutrition-Therapy.pdfDIGITAL COOKBOOK FROM National Pancreas Foundation
https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=65499&i=685338&p=2&ver=html5PANCREATIC CANCER EUROPE.EU WEBSITE
https://pancreaticcancereurope.eu
Consult with a Registered Dietitian. Look for one with the credential of CSO (Certification Specialist Oncology). They are part of the care team and found in a pancreas and hepatobiliary/GI Cancers department. The CSO designation signifies that have 2000 hours of specialized training and familiar with the needs and requirements of GI cancer patients. They can assess an individual’s needs and specific requirements. I never needed an appointment nor was I charged a fee for their beneficial services.
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Hug
5 Reactions<p>Why is it when I don't eat on time I feel low in my stomach similar to a gas feeling? Anyone can relate?? Thanks</p>
I see that no one has replied, and I'm wondering whether it's because people aren't sure what you're asking (I'm not).
What does "Newbie pancreatic" mean? Are you saying that you were recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? If not, what are you trying to say?
What do you mean by "eat on time" -- who put you on an eating schedule, and why?
What do you mean by "I feel low in my stomach"?
Are you on any meds? If yes, which? Are you on a chemo regimen? If yes, which?
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1 ReactionMy loved one was recently diagnosed.
They were not placed on a scheduled however when they don't eat on time for example breakfast which is normally between a set time they feel weird in the stomach.
They are not on any medz currently.
I'm very scared hurting afraid of the worst that can happen.
Screaming out
Can someone share experience is there hope??? I'm dying inside for my loved one.
You can find out if there is any pancreatic insufficiency which could be a factor in the symptoms. Learn as much as you can. I believe that when you learn more, you will be less anxious. You will also be able to better understand what your providers are talking about. A pancreatic center of excellence is key. The national pancreatic cancer foundation has a listing of the centers of excellence. If you have access to one of the top cancer care centers, this is also quite helpful.
Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center, New York, NY
Dana Farber Cancer Center, Boston Massachusetts
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
MD Anderson, Houston Texas
Reading the posts in this discussion group give an idea of the wide range of experiences.
National Pancreatic Foundation
https://pancreasfoundation.org/
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
https://pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/patient-services
Lets Win Pancreatic Cancer
https://letswinpc.org/newly-diagnosed/
American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/pancreatic-cancer.html
John's Hopkins University
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-treatment
Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic
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4 Reactions