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Eating and Esophageal Cancer: Anorexia 18 months after Ivor Lewis
I’m a cancer survivor for 18 months now. I had my j tube removed 3 months after surgery and maintained my weight for a year no problem. Now my weight has dropped another 15 lbs. and can’t gain it back.
I’m able to eat but I have an issue that feels like my esophagus closes up ( it doesn’t) and right after it’s nausea or vomiting. I’ve been diagnosed with anorexia because I can’t get the nutrition I need. It seems to happen when I’m in a stressful situation or a negative thought and most of the time it happens when I’m not eating. Has anyone else gone through this, is it possible that my brain is causing this? At a loss here and tired of losing the food- weight loss game!
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Hi @deb005. Sorry to hear your husband is going through this, I understand how difficult it is to go through it as well for loved ones feeling helpless and concerned.
First I’ve never heard of the feeding tube going down the throat, I have a j-tube. I’m surprised to hear they didn’t send him home with a feeding tube after the surgery.
I still have a feeding tube now 3 1/2 years after surgery. I have been unable to maintain weight without it. I still work so I burn a lot of calories and can’t eat enough ( because of the surgery) and have tried to come off the feeding tube but in a couple of months lost the weight I had gained only to return to the feed tube. That was a few months back and with using the feeding I’ve gained back 20 lbs. It definitely takes longer to gain weight than to lose it.
Currently I use the feed tube at night while I sleep and eat or snack during the day. Knowing that the feed tube is taking care of my needs I can eat and try to eat foods to help me maintain or gain a few more pounds. Hoping my body will start storing some extra weight and see if I can maintain enough weight to go without it again.
I’m not a quitter and very grateful I’m alive and cancer free this long! Don’t get discouraged about the feed tube, be encouraged that your husband will gain some weight and be able to maintain a more functional life. One thing at a time!
Is there something I can answer more specifically feel free to ask. Prayers for you and your husband.
Thankyou manz, I was overtired when I wrote your message, I meant to say a Nasal gastro tube, not down his throat…he was using one in the hospital after his surgery. No one has mentioned the J tube yet but perhaps they will. Maybe they do things a little differently here in New Zealand but I do know of people using them here.
20 lbs is a good gain, I’m so pleased you have managed to do this, my husband is also quite active and it affects his weight. We are still trying to get the “dumping” sorted. Early days after his surgery I know. Thankyou so much for your answer. If you don’t mind, I will probably message you again. 🙂
It is early after surgery, anyway feel free to msg me. Something positive I weighed today and it’s the highest in 2 years. Anyway hoping all goes well!
I’m so happy for you ! Hope you continue to gain. Thankyou for that, so encouraging..
Hi manz, does having the feeding tube while you’re sleeping cause any problems ? Is it noisey ? Is it easy to use and set up every night ? I worry about him getting infections etc. does it just become second nature to maintain ? Sorry, so many questions it seems complicated but maybe it’s not ? He is beginning to find it more and more difficult to eat and drink as much as he did the day before so we’re thinking he will probably need the Jtube..
thanks again..