Another Question 🙋🏼‍♀️

[Sunflower1976]

Hi All

What is everyone eating?? I can’t eat food with any type of sauce since treatment finished over a year ago. My appetite is so low it’s scary some days! My Bowels have been so badly affected I think it’s actually putting me off eating. I’m so thin and I can’t seem to get any weight back on?

are there any alternatives out there like food supplements tried googling some but it’s a minefield if your not sure what you are looking for.

Thanks as Always

[Silver1-lady]

I couldn’t stand gravy at all but had to have mi t sauce with a roast dinner even Xmas dinner 😱

[Sunflower1976 in reply to Silver1-lady]

Ohhhh I hear ya but I just can’t do it….. It’s just not worth the suffering but boy oh boy it’s hard! I can eat anything dairy no problem cream in cake etc… But no gravy no pasta sauce nothing pizza (sauce again) I lost 2.5 stone during treatment and I had put some weight back on then I got Norovirus and over that 72hrs of vomiting & diarrhoea sure it’s all gone again and I think even more 🫣🫣

I just want to eat ALL THE FOOD 😂😂😂😂

[Newseason in reply to Sunflower1976]

Hello,

My diet is quite limited but big on protein .

Breakfast

2 boiled eggs

Tin of tuna ,mayo and capers

Cucumber

Sometimes goats cheese

Or

Greek yogurt

Baked apple

Lunches

Roast dinner chicken with pealed veg

Cooked the old fashioned over cooked.

No gravey

French frys , with fish baked

Or frys with grated lactose free cheese

Risotto with chicken stock

Baked sweet potato no skin

With hard lactose free cheese

Red meat is hard to digest, tend to aviod

I'm on a lactose free , gluten free and low residue diet. Only eat twice day, as I feel full all the time.

To much fat or oil upsets my stomach.

Occasionally make gluten free cake . Dark chocolate 80% is OK

Went to friend's for lunch, spent two days in bed felt like had food possioning. As I ventured off my diet

I drink lots of water .

Have hyfiber from Dietitian

I try not to over think it , as I always been a foodie , grown my own veg.

Taste has been my way to enjoy my limited diet.

Hope this helps 🙂

[Sunflower1976 in reply to Newseason]

Hi Newseason

Oh My Goodness! Thank you sooo much for taking the time to write out all those wonderful suggestions. I will be writing all them into my food journal for future reference. I do eat most of what you suggested but definitely some new ones for me unfortunately I am not great in the kitchen 🫣

Thanks again for your lovely response 💖💖💖💖💖💖

[Perido in reply to Sunflower1976]

Potato features quite a lot in my diet: mash, jacket, boiled. Occasional oven chips as a treat. Also wheat free pasta. I'm OK with root vegetables: parsnips, carrots, beetroot Bread wise I make my own sourdough (mostly rye); the long fermentation seems to make it easier on the gut. Cheese works with all of the above. I've been working on increasing my low fat/healthy fat protein intake: oily fish and chicken mostly, also butter beans.

I also struggle to keep weight on and like you recently got Norovirus!

[Sunflower1976 in reply to Perido]

Hi Perido

OH MY WORD! I had Norovirus recently I feel your pain on that one it was a rough few days and I had just put on a little weight and lot it all again!!

like you Perido I can eat potatoes ok with most veggies it’s any type of sauce that gets me.

I had gone off food because it felt like everyone I ate I had to run to the bathroom 😢 I can across these meal drinks called HUEL and I’m finding them really great.

Morning are my toughest time bathroom wise so I’ve started my day with 2 x Imodium which is also helping.

I think it’s all trial and error really isn’t it. Some days are definitely harder than others but you just have to get on with it don’t you.

I find this forum great as there are some really good hints, help and great advice.

Take Care and continued good health to you Perido 😊😊😊

[Perido in reply to Sunflower1976]

Hi Sunflower 1976Many thanks for the heads up about Huel. I was wondering about a meal drink so might give this one a go 🙂

[Jimbo65]

You're right its a minefield and we all experience the blow-ups! Its so frustrating and as you say, trying to find what you can or cannot eat is a huge trial and error exercise. I've done a FOD map diet which highlighted an intolerance to bread. But not much else. I take 1 loperamide every morning along with a multi vitamin, B12 . If I'm going out (along with all the protective padding my trousers will allow, and a large bag with change of clothes etc.) I take 2 loperamide. I know that I can't process skins of tomatoes, potatoes, sausages, etc. anything fibrous really. This has lead to a low fiber diet which currently seems to suit. That said, anxiety plays a big part in bowel behaviour, so maybe look at breathing techniques, pilates, Tai chi etc. to help with that, especially if going out and about. I've recently been prescribed iron tablets but only take those every other day now. It takes time to come to terms with a new body and how it's going to work post treatment. I'm now 15yrs+ down the line and my body still doesn't behaving its self. My biggest issue at the moment is a very sore bottom for which I have several creams, some work for a day or 2 but nothing seems to stop it reoccurring. Talk to your GP, find a late effects clinic in your area and talk openly to friends and family about your issues. Incontinence is something many people suffer in silence with so the more we talk about it the more relaxed and open people can be. Have you got a radar key - using disabled loos and knowing where they are when out also helps anxiety. Good luck on your journey and I really hope that you find a pattern that works for you. xx

[Sunflower1976 in reply to Jimbo65]

Hi Jimbo

Thanks for your lovely response to my cry for advice 🤩

I too suffer with severe anxiety and catastrophic thinking which I firmly believe adds to my bowels issues.

Thankfully I finally got referral and appointment for late effects clinic and my GP is fantastic.

So far I have not had more accidents than successful outings which does get me down and makes me just want to stay home as I think What’s the point. I have had a really tough time coming to terms with the whole cancer experience even now over a year after treatment has finished.

Then some mornings I wake up and bang just like that the old me is the there and I have a great day so that keeps me going.

Thank you again for your lovely response I do agreed we need to stop treating incontinence as a taboo subject!! Sh1t Happens right ☺️

Continued good health to you Jimbo xxx