loss of appetite

[mishamilo53]

hi everyone , anyone else who went through chemo /radiation lose their appetite? I’m struggling to find anything I want to eat and am just picking at bits of fruit etc …. Does this get better , I’m only a week out of treatment and still struggling with the sore windpipe etc which is contributing to not feeling like eating … Love Elly x

[Eglingham]

Hi, sorry to hear your losing your appetite. I myself found I could eat things like yogurts, jelly and ice cream. I also made milkshakes with banana, cinnamon, ice cream and milk which also soothed my throat. I hope this helps a little, get well soon you are doing great 💪 😘

[mishamilo53 in reply to Eglingham]

thank you so much for your reply , yes , I can get all those things down , I guess I’m just going to have to be patient for my throat to heal , hope it’s in time for Christmas lunch ! X

[Eglingham in reply to mishamilo53]

The banana milk shake is heaven 😋 use mainly ice-cream and just a little milk. Have you got throat lozenges? Strepsils are good and a hot lempsip at night with a good dolop of honey in. Hope you get to have your Christmas lunch 🤞 xx

[mishamilo53 in reply to Eglingham]

thank you , I will try , I use manuka in warm water at night but will try in lemsip x

[Eglingham in reply to mishamilo53]

Elly is right about the pineapple I forgot about that, it has anti-inflammatory properties, good source of vitamin C which boosts the immune system and deals with infection. The bromelain in pineapple can help break down mucus and reduce congestion and inflammation xxx

[mishamilo53 in reply to Eglingham]

thank you I will get some today x

[Unicorn3344]

Hi Elly

Do you like milk? If so you could try complan drinks from boots and make milk shakes.Maybe add some ice cream or fruit to suit your taste.They have all the vitamins you need and it might be easier for you to swallow.My husband tried this and also snacked on fresh pineapples and black grapes and he still has them every day now.Hope this helps xx

[mishamilo53 in reply to Unicorn3344]

thank you so much , yes ice cream helps ! Has you’re husband tried those black globe grapes in the freezer ( like mini sorbets) I’m juicing at the moment to get vitamins in …. I’m not a lover of milk , and I hate those drinks from the hospital x

[Unicorn3344 in reply to mishamilo53]

Hi Elly

I will try look out for those black glove grapes havent seen them before.Juicing is a good idea if it’s hard to swallow and also manuka honey helps to soothe the throat.Just try and eat little and often of things you like doesn’t have to be a big meal.Hope the pain eases up for you soon xx

[mishamilo53 in reply to Unicorn3344]

aw thanks lovely , they are globe grapes I peel them and pop them into a freezer container … lush

[Unicorn3344 in reply to mishamilo53]

thank you 😄

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Elly

Sorry to hear you are struggling to eat, if it is due to the soreness of your windpipe, or difficulty swallowing, do let your oncology team know as they may be able to ease this for you with medication or ask for a referral to the dietician.

This link from Cancer Research UK provides some useful information on managing loss of appetite: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

Most of these symptoms do settle down after some weeks, but if they change or get worse do let your GP or lung cancer nurse specialist know.

This is the link to our booklet on radiotherapy which may help: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

There are some tips from this link on how to manage difficulty in swallowing (although it says for head and neck cancer) the information may be helpful for you: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

Hope you feel better soon.

The Roy Castle Support Team

Ask the nurse 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 Friday 0900-1600

Ask the nurse email at [e-mail]

[mishamilo53 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

thank you so much the hospital have given me meds to help and they do ease the discomfort but the loss of appetite remains x

[mishamilo53]

hi everyone thanks for your kind responses … my shopping list is full of your suggestions . Much love Elly x

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

I hope this settles down soon for you and it is good the medication helps. We often advise, small and frequent snacks.

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[mishamilo53]

thank you you’re so kind in this forum ….. I’m looking forward to a pineapple , ice cream , honey and non dairy milk shake so that’s an improvement already x

[mizzrm]

Hi Elle, what about juicing? you could drink and it would be smooth on your wind pipe but you’d be getting nutrients.. put avocado in it and beetroot and spirilina for iron etc. i hope this helps and sending you love and healing on your journey xxx

[mishamilo53 in reply to mizzrm]

thank you so much , I am juicing because I don’t want to resort to those hospital drinks …. I’ve got spirulina too x

[Leniko]

very much so! At first it was only sour: yogurt, kefir, lemony stuff, fruit and cottage cheese, certain soups, tart flavored sorbets. As I get farther from treatment, it improves (about a week) and I do ok til my next treatment.

[mishamilo53 in reply to Leniko]

I’m a week out of treatment so hoping it improves soon x