Difficulty with food

[prissymissy]

Hi there,

I am 2 and 1/2 years post op. I am having difficulty eating now due to coughing when I eat anything. Does anyone know of an alternative to bread, eg crackers or flatbreads. Everything seems to taste of cardboard, also I only have to eat a few mouthfuls of food and I am full

Thanks

[margie1]

Hi

i am 4 years post op and have always had the same issue as you with coughing when eating... i was initially told i would have to put up with it but after 4 years my oncologist is referring me back to the surgeon to see if they can do anything...a stretch or it could be scar tissue. I can say the amount you eat does get better even though you will never be able to eat the amount you previously did Good luck and try soaking some bread in soup etc

Margie

[prissymissy in reply to margie1]

Thanks margie1,

I will try that with the bread

[AoifeMcC]

I found that it got less with time and that I was able to eat a lot more, hold in there.

[prissymissy]

Thank you for replying to my question

[Hidden]

Has your taste been like this since your surgery? This cardboard taste is normally to do with your taste buds being up the creek after the chemo and surgery. Your taste normally does come back, but nobody knows how and when. Meanwhile keep your mouth moist, keep up the dental hygiene and gradually your saliva will do its work and you will get your taste back. But if this has developed more recently I think you should consult the specialist nurse.

The feeling full sensation sounds like one potential reason (and I am speculating) could be that your stomach is not emptying properly, and it would be worth getting this checked out.

The trouble with bread is that it can tend to stick in your system, a bit like it does around the kitchen sink, so you may have to avoid things that congeal like bread and rice for a while?