Food

[Utterfool]

Does anyone else with emphysema have trouble eating? I am never hungry and have to force feed myself several times a day. I'd really appreciate some feedback. Sorry, couldn't resist that. But the question is serious

[2greys]

Yes, I would rather have "food pills" any day, than have to go through the chore of eating. I think you will find that it is also a symptom of Emphysema and a lot of us get this. People think I'm joking when I tell them what real hard work putting just a little weight on can be.Edit: "Feedback" lol "Feedback" lol (number 5 is alive)

[Lady11 in reply to 2greys]

How about a strawberry shake or some sort of boost drink that has supplements in it .. just for the sake of getting extra weight on ... plus some food of course

[Utterfool in reply to Lady11]

Milk shake it is. I actually like shakes but hadn't thought of that. Thanks Lady11 😋

[Utterfool in reply to Lady11]

Milk shake went down a tret today 👍

[Utterfool in reply to 2greys]

Not just me, then.

[2greys in reply to Utterfool]

No, not alone at all. I have to eat a little and often. eating too much compromises my breathing.

I tend to eat my meat/protein as sandwiches (wholemeal) and vegetarian cooked meals, whilst snacking on fruit (apricots or bananas) during the evenings. Breakfast is not really a done thing, waking up and eating (unless you count coffee) is a big no-no. But I have a couple of pork pies with my aspirin at around 9 am. I also drink a pint of whole milk each day.

I too have force it down, I have managed to get my weight back from 7 st 10 lbs up to 10 st 2 lb now and has taken me 14 months to do that, which isn't bad considering that I work full-time and exercise vigorously each day, which burns up a lot of calories.

[Utterfool in reply to 2greys]

Wow that's really good! This morning after walking my dog I tried Benvita biscuits for breakfast. It worked! I have also had milk shake, banana and soup with toast. Best eating day for over a week and I feel better for it. Thank for the good ideas xx

[Utterfool in reply to 2greys]

Short Circuit one of my favourite films 😂

[Nanny49]

I've lost over 1 stone in last 12 months. Gaining weight is a real problem as, like yourself, I'm never hungry. Fortunately I have to cook for family of 5 so there's always a meal going! Just eat little and often and snack on nuts. Find breakfast banana smoothie with 2 scoops of protein powder is easy to get down, then a couple of hours later a coffee with brioche. Light lunch, mid afternoon tea and cake then small portion of whatever I've cooked for dinner. Glass of wine or Guinness with cheese as evening snack. Have got just 3 lbs to go to target of 8 stone 2 lbs but have a feeling they'll be the hardest. I use a lot of Joe Wickes recipes which are high in protein and quick and easy to prepare and are light to eat. Hope this is some help - let us know how you get on.

[Utterfool in reply to Nanny49]

Hmm. Some good ideas there. I guess self discipline is he answer. I'll keep you posted.

[Hidden in reply to Nanny49]

Hi if you are underweight enough your doctor can prescribe you build up drinks. If not you can buy them. My mother had this problem and she had drinks called Ensure which were the only one she liked. They had every flavour and also yoghurt ones. They are very high in calories and have all the vitamins etc. She used to just sip one during the day.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi i lost about 15kgs and find it hard to put back because of acid reflux and can only eat certain foods. Do you know if Ensure is bad for people with acid reflux ?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Haven't a clue sorry. Why not have a google or ask your doctor/nurse? I know my mother didn't suffer from acid reflux either before or after.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

Are you not getting treatment for the acid reflux as it can affect your breathing as well as damage your esophagus.

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Seen the specialist last year at hospital he said it's not bad enough to have the operation done. I have a gallbladder full of stones that have been there for 20 years and hiatus hernia and a weak valve

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

But there are numerous medications to treat acid reflux, would none of those help?

[Hidden in reply to jackdup]

Tried loads and now trying Ranitidine 300mg tablets which do help, but have to eat the same foods all the time. Lost 15kgs and loads of muscle.

[jackdup in reply to Hidden]

That is really too bad and hope these will do it.

[skischool]

What excellent advice from Nanny.little and often is the key word i like yourself have Emphysema and struggle with poor appetite and living alone isn't helpful but try to have interesting snacks instead of attempting larger portions."Bon appetite"........skis

[Utterfool in reply to skischool]

That makes good sense. I also live alone and am fed up with wasting food. Time to change my shopping habits 😊

[JoM49]

Hello utterfool (I'm really hesitant to use that name because you may believe it is true),

I too have Emphysema and was in hospital a few years ago with a COPD exacerbation and weighing less than 6 stone, the nutritionist prescribed Ensure plus (has to be requested by dietitian to get on prescription) also advised eating little and often - I snack on dried fruit & nuts with chocolate covered raisins.

Also found the following site recently: webmd.com/lung/copd/ss/slid...

I've never had much of an appetite but emphysema and giving up cigarettes has made it worse, so now it's nut and a plastic cigarette (even after nearly 5 yrs I have the odd craving for a ciggy).

Regards

Joan

[Utterfool in reply to JoM49]

Useful stuff, Joan, thanks. I gave up using ecigs and still use them. Nicotine content is nil so I'm feeding habit not addition. It's a comfort thing. 😉

[JoM49 in reply to Utterfool]

Exactly the same with me - no nicotine at all and I only take one or two puffs so its just like a dummy but better than being tempted back to the cigs.

[JoM49]

Exactly the same with me - no nicotine at all and I only take one or two puffs so its just like a dummy but better than being tempted back to the cigs.

[Utterfool in reply to JoM49]

Yup. After smoking over 60 years it was the only thing that helped me stop. By the way, Utterfool is my gaming name, feel free ☺️

[GAspEr9]

Got the T shirt.It is so much trouble to eat, food doesn't look attractive etc. Was told it's because it takes a lot of energy to chew ,which we do not have.In some cases people think you have fallen asleep.Going out for a meal is difficult because of portion sizes so I now explain to the staff that it is a medical problem and not a reflection on the food ( though sometimes it is !!!!!) and ask for doggy bag.Never been refused yet and there you have another meal or a snack.Just make sure it will not go 'off' too quickly and/ or can be reheated if necessary. Don't recommend soup by the way.Also try to eat snacks ,biscuits or high energy bars they do not have to be eaten in one go,one say every two hours or so. Finally try to choose food that doesn't need a lot of chewing a well done steak is more difficult to eat than a medium rare one is.Hope this helps.

[Time_2_drink]

Hi I often don't feel like eating the only time I'm hungry is when I'm on steroids. I try to have porridge a couple of times a week. But mainly I prefer shakes Banana peanut butter milk plus milk powder to thicken. Protein powder sometimes ice cream added or yoghurt can add nuts or fruit endless possibilities enjoy