Losing weight

[Christina64]

Any advice on why my mum might be losing weight? I'm making healthy food for her and she should be putting weight on with the calories she's eating. The second cycle was on Monday with full carbo and reduced dose taxol. What else should I do? Thanks

Chris

[Choski]

I can only comment with my experiences of my chemo, I usually lost weight in the first week ( once 8 LbS over a weekend) but then found that I could eat after about day 9 or 10 when I put weight back on and usually put on more weight. Try not to worry or to force her to eat if she doesn't want to or if she feels nauseous, this will pass. Give her water or fresh lemonade to Drink - or whatever she fancies and biscuits or fresh fruit to nibble. Tastebuds are drastically affected and the dreaded Chemo mouth can make everything taste off including water.

I recognise that we are all different and our journey and reactions to chemo are different too however If you continue to be worried then speak with your mums Unit.

take care

Clare

[Christina64 in reply to Choski]

Thanks Clare

She is eating a lot yet losing weight. I wouldn't be worried if she was off her food or feeling sick. Good idea to speak to Cancer team. I just didn't want to phone them if it was caused by the treatment. Thanks again

Chris

[Choski in reply to Christina64]

Hi Chris, I've learnt to be brave and pick up the phone - we try 'not to bother ' medical staff but sometimes we just need to run things past them and they really won't mind. You're a great daughter xx

[Yoshbosh]

I was quite similar to Clare - I lost weight in the first week after chemo (3 weekly carbo/docetaxel), mainly because everything tasted so gross I didn't want to eat anything! However in weeks 2-3 I'd pick up a bit and put a bit of weight back on.

I hope your mum is able to put a bit of weight on.

xx

[Microbabe]

I too lost weight during chemo without trying... like Clare says tastes changes and I found I could only eat small portions ... I would start to eat and after a mouthful I would think I can't manage anymore ... small and often suited me best but still weight came off ... put it all back now tho 😳Best wishes to you and your mum 🤗

[January-2016-UK]

You might find that as the chemo starts to reduce the quantity of cancer cells, she stops losing weight. I've read that the cancer itself can use up a lot of nutritional intake and so starving normal cells. You could try the high-calorie high-protein drinks on the market but it's possible they are more designed for patients with mouth ulcers so I'd check with your CNS first before supplementing.

All the best!

[Christina64]

Thanks for all your comments. I will stop worrying now xx

[Katsmum]

Hi there - I lost quite a few kilos with the first couple of sessions of chemo even though I had no nausea to speak of and the onc team said it was quite common and mostly fluid that had built up. Maybe this is what is happening to your mum and the weight will gradually go back on over time. Love and hugs to you both x