So I'm currently eating about 1000 calories a day. I've asked a doctor, neurologist and dietician what to do. None of them have anything to offer me.The neurologist said I should just eat more but with my stomach I cannot. The doctor said she doesn't have anything to offer me. And the dietician recommended nutrition drinks. I also asked a doctor to consult a gastroenterologist and based on what info the doctor said she didn't recommend a feeding tube. I'm not sure what the doctor said to her since her reply was that I could eat normally. I can but not just enough..
I am struggling a lot to drink the nutrition drinks and I feel only slightly better with them since they don't bring up my calorie intake that much.
Every one of them is against a feeding tube. So I'm a bit lost. I have my first gastro appointment coming up but it is a month away and then I have to wait for tests.. And even after the tests I have to wait and see do they have anything to offer me..
I'm struggling to go and do anything... I'm feeling kind of weak, tired, fatigued, having trouble thinking and talking sometimes etc..
PS. I am a bigger sized person, but according to the doctor it's most likely because my bad nutrition situation has been going on for years (it is worse now than before).
Does anyone have any advice on what to do?
Written by
Idontknoooow
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I have difficulty eating because for the past 9 months I have had a revulsion for food. I would happily give up eating but know I must eat to live. The problem is that all food turns to a slimy substance in my mouth. I prepare meals and my mouth waters but as soon as it is in my mouth it becomes something I would rather spit out! I did weigh 11stone but now am down to 9 stone. At present I am awaiting an appointment to see a colectural surgeon there being a possibility of cancer in the bowel.
I agree you don’t want a feeding tube. Try eating small amounts often. I am now 2 years post op and have found eating often and what to eat hard and have lost weight too. I am eating little and very often , anything you fancy don’t worry about healthy foods. Don’t know how much post op you are but I still get fatigued if I do too much but I know it’s getting slowly better. I have juice supplements Altra juice that I dilute with water and keep chilled. I find them nicer than milk sups. These will keep your energy levels up. Ask your dietician about vitamin supplements, I take one a day. I worked out I need to take about 350 cal every 2 hours which is very hard in a small plate plus a lot of foods now are low calorie rather than high. I hope your appointment goes well but there is a lot of good advice on this forum in the meantime.
I haven't had surgery fortunately. I am eating light meals but I cannot get enough food still, my stomach can't just handle it, eating or drinking even a glass every 2 hours is too much
Many of us this forum have issues getting enough nutrition with limited stomach capacity, so you are not alone. The usual advice in such cases is to focus on quality rather than quantity. Here is a link to a site that lists some calorie-dense foods, which you might find helpful:-
Have you tried making little balls of mashed potato made with butter and cream or whole milk fortified with dried milk powder with grated cheese in and maybe some mustard or pesto or herbs for taste. just little ones if you want you can make them like pennies and coat in egg and breadcrumbs and fry. You can eat cold or warm (microwave) and just nibble., little cubes of cheese and maybe peeled grapes just a couple of tiny cubes and one grape. An egg up full at a time. Forget about eating healthily just nibble. One square of chocolate. Let it melt on your tongue. Try to take liquid vitamins or spray ones. Make up a smoothie with cream yoghurt fruit or veggies and freeze in an ice cube e tray or kids lollipop moulds I find fruit or ones are nicer as lollipops. Or lemon and ginger. Try not to use water as it dilutes the calories. A slice of advacado with a prawn. Mix cream cheese with advacado mashed for an advacado dip and use ritz crackers or crisps to dip. You can add double cream or thick creamy yoghurt to add calories. Sip a tonic wine Sanatogen. Take the pressure of eating meals just nibble all day long. If you go out for an afternoon tea with friends Nibble one and bring the rest home I always have a Tupperware in my bag. You can make up a child's lunch bag with little pots of stuff. And take it with you. A soft boiled egg mashed up with mayonaise and maybe finely chopped pickle or some capers or grated cheese, anything you fancy. Grate vegetables finely and pop in the microwave to steam quickly makes them easier to swallow and digest without having to purée and you can chew them too. Not sure if any of this helps but it gets calories and nutrients in Good luck PS. I could never swallow those supplements a bit gloopy for me, made me gag.
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Best of luck
