Weight loss : I have lost almost 45 lbs... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Weight loss

Kabe profile image
Kabe
23 Replies

I have lost almost 45 lbs since April- mostly due to constant nausea. Any advice on how/ what to eat to increase calorie intake - I’m starting to look anorexic and although always on slimmer side, this is getting scary 😕

MBC dx last November and have been on Ibrance / faslodex since January. 8 Mets have shrunk 👍🏻But still visible. Exercise/ stretching is hampered by pain as tumor in T7/T8 have compromised vertebrae ( I walk- slowly 😂)

I need to eat yet hard when nauseous- any advice is welcome

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Kabe profile image
Kabe
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23 Replies
mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Ask your onc for nausea med! There are many that work well. Eat bland foods like bananas, white rice, applesauce and white bread to start off! Remeron is an anti depressant the boosts appetite and helps with weight gain

Snowcone16 profile image
Snowcone16 in reply tomariootsi

BRAT...used to give to kids when they were recovering from flu. Banana, rice, applesauce, toast. Actually had a cold a few weeks ago—for three days I ordered chicken, rice soup from Chinese restaurant. Some have it on menu, others will make it on request.

SHAPIRO1956 profile image
SHAPIRO1956 in reply tomariootsi

All carbs and sugar when you have cancer?

Crazydentist profile image
Crazydentist

Hiya

Have you tried protein shakes?

When I was first diagnosed I wouldn’t eat and lost about 20 lbs..so I whizzed up bananas and honey into the protein shake..also made with full fat milk..it stopped me losing too much weight

However my not eating was because I was so upset and depressed rather than nauseous

Get your doctor to prescribe an anti emetic

Best wishes

B xx

Nancyjw profile image
Nancyjw in reply toCrazydentist

Dear Kabe,

Been there -- rapid weight loss in a short amount of time. Scary was exactly how I felt I looked.

Dr.'s advice:

2 Ensure or Boost a day for protein

5 small meals a day

Pudding peanut butter, yogurt, ice crean, mac 'n cheese, creamed soups, canned fruit in heavy syrup,

cheese, protein shakes

I have stopped my downward spiral of weight and have started to gain.

I wish you good luck.

Clair19 profile image
Clair19

I have nausea too. I just take Faslodex Ibrance was to hard on Neutrophils. I have put on 6 pounds 129. However I have been eating Rootbeer floats. There are other things more healthy than that. That’s what works for me. I do take medicine for my stomach and tums but doses not work. The more active I’m it gets worse. I can’t sit around so I do what I can and rest if needed. Being nauseous all the time sucks, I hope you find something that helps. Did it start when you started Ibrance and Faslodex?

Crazydentist profile image
Crazydentist in reply toClair19

Ginger tea helps as do ginger biscuits

B x

Clair19 profile image
Clair19 in reply toCrazydentist

Thanks,the only problem is I don’t like ginger. I know there is no ginger in ginger ale. For some reason I have in my head root beer helps.

kduck profile image
kduck in reply toClair19

Hello claire, how are doing only on faslodex? You stated you saw shrinkage in tumors, I think that's awesome. We all must hang in there, live for a cure.

Burgerde profile image
Burgerde

I have had same problem of constant nausea for a year now. I had total brain radiation then IV chemo now on Verenzio and Faslodex. Drug similar to ibrance. You have tried anti nausea meds I presume? Nothing seemed to help me either. Do you have a Palliative Care doctor you can see ? This might be helpful. I have been working with one and he has helped. Things to try, eat anything that seems to agree with you. Take your meds with food. Have you tried a high calorie supplement such as Boost. Do you live where Medical Marijuana is legal. Many people have good response to this. Some people have improvement with use of a medicine such as protonix for GI protection. It is a battle. I only lost 10 lbs but you can’t afford to loose any more. ! Good luck and let me know how it goes. I would definitely see a Palliative Care doctor if you haven’t and have one available

Jaxon2007 profile image
Jaxon2007

Could only keep down bland foods, like chicken and dumplings when on chemo, but had no problem with Ibrance/fasoldex, but then again they didn't work for me. Happy they are for you!

Juliandrea profile image
Juliandrea in reply toJaxon2007

Jaxon2007, hope all is well. What are you taking now and how long have you been Mbc?

Jaxon2007 profile image
Jaxon2007 in reply toJuliandrea

I'm taking Xeloda and will do a zometa infusion every 3 months. It's been almost a year now.

Epinto profile image
Epinto

Sometimes an anti depressant called Remeron helps to increase appetite. Ask your doctor about it.

Jnprsn profile image
Jnprsn

Promethazine is awesome for nausea and appetite. Also marijuana will do the same.

Nelsonyong profile image
Nelsonyong

Hi sorry to hear about your current condition. But, I have there is an easy way out. I'm sharing my mom experience.. Try to drink or sip warm ginger water as frequently as possible. Easy to prepare, just put few slices of your fresh ginger into hot water. You may adjust the no of slices according to your taste. It will keep your stomach warm and you will be have appetite to eat. Then try take some hard boiled eggs. Hope these help. Take care.

Snowcone16 profile image
Snowcone16

My nausea was in first 3 months of Ibrance but this cycle is good. I found taking ondansetron with Ibrance at same time minimized nausea.

There is always Medical MJ as well.

🤗

oilermama profile image
oilermama

Have you tried the ensure fudgesicles? Freeze ensure in small cups with a popsicle stick -- I helps with calories and tastes good.

Kabe profile image
Kabe

Thank you for all the advice on different things to try to eat/ help with nausea. I have been trying to drink at least 1 protein drink - Ensure Enlive( get free from radiation onc) make a protein smoothie every morning to drink on way to radiation ( husband this time, not me)

i am going to try the ginger water - I was using ginger tea and think it was too strong for my stomach. Root beer floats are my go to snack as well! We must keep living and being resilient in spite of the set backs- I have a lot of living to do ( quote from Bye Bye Birdie!)

Kabe profile image
Kabe

I’ve tried several others yet keep going back to Zofran🙂. It helps so I can eat a little , also take tums in between

BeckyHobson profile image
BeckyHobson

Try peppermint tea or essential oil. Just smelling the oils helps me tremendously

Snowcone16 profile image
Snowcone16

Be sure you’re getting nutrients and vitamins. I’m down about 8 lbs since February. I started Ibrance in April. I’m okay with the weight loss, was trying to drop down a couple pounds.

Juicing is good for the vitamins. I also noticed a pattern of nausea on certain days of Ibrance cycle. I now proactively take the antinausea meds w Ibrance on those days.

MMJ helps w appetite. When I had morning sickness 17 years ago, I ate and drank slim fast. Not to diet but for the nutrition.

Pbsoup profile image
Pbsoup

I worry that a lot of the advice here is low on nutrition even if high in calories

. Have you thought about meeting with a nutritionist. Maybe someone who takes an integrative approach? Through blood work and understanding your symptoms and meds they can recommend a healthy diet that you can enjoy and will help stave off nausea The BRAT diet is not healthy It’s one thing for a kid with the flu for a few days, another for a cancer patient who needs to keep her body as strong as possible

When I feel nauseous I find smoothies help, but I make sure they have lots of organic greens, a hunk of fresh ginger and low glycemic fruit. .no sugar or dairy. I use frozen vegetable like kale and frozen blueberries. I know it might sound gross, but It makes the smoothie icy and tasty. you can add a high quality protein powder too. I also add ground flax seed for the omega 3. Or some almond butter

Somehow if it’s cold and tasty enough it goes down easily and I feel energized

Oh and unsweetened cocoa powder is yummy and very nutritious

Bottom line of the nausea is chronic, I would treat it holistically and really dig deep into the nutrition as well as nausea meds etc

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