Help with eating.

Posted by mbrenner @mbrenner, Jun 3 9:47am

Hi. My name is Mary. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on my birthday in November. I have lost 52lbs. I can't eat. Since chemo, my stomach, taste buds and textures are so different. The thought of eating hurts. I try but usually throw it up the next day. I have tried seems like every type of smoothie known to man. Chicken I can't get down anymore or or red meat which I don't like anyway. Can someone please help me figure out how to put some weight back on my body? My doctors aren't helping me

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@markymarkfl

You definitely need calories, and you need protein to maintain muscle.

How often do you get chemo, or how long since your last chemo?

Oatmeal has become my go-to food whenever nausea or lack of appetite flare up. I often add a whey-based protein powder to my smoothies and sundaes; there are some good ones out there that go totally unnoticed/untasted if mixed in the right quantities with the right foods/drinks. I haven't tried it in oatmeal yet, but now you've got me thinking. After my Whipple surgery I often ate small portions of King's Hawaiian rolls dipped in chicken or beef broth.

For hydration, anything that eventually turns to water helps. Jello, popsicles, etc. You might be able to get some good flavors out of those. Possibly even popsicles made by freezing a protein drink? Popsicles made out of Gatorade might also help with electrolytes.

There might also be an issue with nutrient absorption. Your pancreas might also be failing to produce the enzymes needed to digest the food you do eat, and supplementation might help if your doctor agrees. Other forum members here have experienced gastroparesis (basically a paralyzed stomach) in response to chemo.

CBD oils/gummies might help calm your stomach as well as ease your mind. The THC in medical marijuana (or synthetic Marinol/Dronabinol) might do those as well as stimulate appetite, but with the obvious psychoactive side effects. Megace/Megestrol may increase appetite. Remeron/Mirtazipine has also been used successfully as an appetite stimulant as well as sleep aid. It's important to not let temporary episodes of nausea/vomiting generate a longer-term psychological avoidance of the cause (food) because that's a quick downward spiral.

I have zero medical training, but bottom line is if your doctors aren't helping, you might need to be more assertive with them or find new doctors! Most oncology institutions should be able to refer you to an oncology-specific dietician or nutritionist, and if you don't already have referral to a GI specialist for this, you should request one.

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My Palliative Dr just started me on Dronabinol. Now I know why I felt so high! It really works! I eat everything in sight.

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