Loosing weight during chemo help!

[Ybolanos]

I am at my 3rd round of chemo been loosing weight. The first week after chemo I can't smell or eat food the taste is horrible for me plus my stomach get really upset. What can I do? 

[deejames]

I'm surprised you haven't been offered specialist drinks for maintaining weight. I was prescribed some after losing weight due to morphine sickness. They are bearable to drink and can be just sipped slowly over a period of time. I don't like them because they have a lot of sugar though. Fruit smoothies might be helpful as they at least have plenty of fibre and no added sugar.

Dee

[1349]

I so sorry to here that your not well I myself have just been told that I have cancer and have had three biopsy to date the last one yesterday and hopefully I will get some results in two weeks so I have this to come my heart goes out to you and I hope that you feel better soon xxxx

[Venusflytrap]

Can you speak to your specialist nurse?  Or the centre where you are getting your chemo?  They may even have a dietitian.   I know from working with nurses that this is a common issue for those having chemo.  I would just follow your whims.  See what you really feel like having and have that.  If you feel like a tube of crisps, strawberries or icecream, have it.  Never mind that it is breakfast time.  Maybe think about textures.  Would you like something crispy or crunchy, hard or soft, creamy or sticky.  Also this is the time to add on all those extras many of us have learned to live without, like full fat mayo, butter on your toast.  Perhaps think about tapas sized plates with a lot of  variety on them.  A little pre dinner tipple might encourage your appetite.  Don't be surprised if your current state gives you some strange food fads.  One of my now fully recovered friends still hasn't managed to go back to reddish brown foods.  And she loved her steak.  She can only have it on her plate if it is covered with something a different colour!  So this is the time to be totally fussy and picky and have only those foods you really fancy.  And don't be surprised if you start having it and then find it isn't what you wanted.  In that case, leave it.  Hope you are soon feeling a bit better.  I am sure you will once you have something on your plates and in your cups.  

[PhilFreeToAsk]

I know an acupuncturist who treats patients with cancer and addresses the side effects of chemo. See Cancer Research website at cancerresearchuk.org/about-... for more details.

I don't know whether it will help with weight loss but it is well documented that acupunture is beneficial to people having chemo.

Phil

[linlow]

Dandelion tea, or other forms, might help to stimulate your appetite

[meilani123]

I currently am in the same position. Had a rectal tumor removed in October and I just finished my first round of Folfox with the 48 hr infusion of 5FU. I was disconnected on Friday and I still feel terrible. Throwing up,metallic taste, weakness...I can only keep down room temperature water and bread at this point. I'm having a hard time dealing and can only hope and pray that somehow it eventually will be more tolerable. I have 3 more treatments until I start 5 weeks of radiation and chemo.