Capceitibine

[Iwouldlike2knowmore]

I am having a hard time eating, What foods do some of you ladies eat to stay healthy. Helena

[Topood]

I was having real appetite problems, and actually lost 30 pounds! My doctor’s nurse practitioner put me on remeron or Mertazapine, and after a week or so it really worked! I’ve gained 8 pounds back, and am really enjoying eating whatever I want. But before I started the Mertazapine I found I could eat jello and yogurt pretty easily, and chicken soup with some effort. It was very weird....I’ve always been a good eater and it was upsetting to have no appetite and watch myself lose weight.....I hope these suggestions help!

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Topood]

I googled Remeron and it’s an anti-depressant. Is it also prescribed as an appetite stimulant?

[Topood in reply to MyMiracle13]

It is also an appetite stimulant AND it helps with sleeping too! I was just at the doctor’s today, and thanked the woman who had prescribed it.....It does take about a week to kick in though...they started me on half a pill and now I take a whole 15mg one. I haven’t noticed any side effects....I am grateful for it.

[Topood in reply to Topood]

Now that I feel better I also do some easy exercises and walk 2 to 3 miles a day with my faithful poodle....I think that may help too!

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Topood]

Thanks for your reply. I’m glad it is working for you.

[MyMiracle13]

I too have to force myself to eat sometimes but to top up the calories, I drink Ensure Enlive or Prosure.

[SusieIM]

wow sorry to hear about your having difficulty eating. I eat a variety of nuts, cheese, try to keep a variety of food on hand. Sometimes I need to push myself into eating, try to keep in mind I need to eat so just do it (smile). I think a doctor can give you meds to increase your appetite. It can be hard to exercise or be active when feeling tired---but it is to one's benefit to try to stay active---it helps the body overall and tends to increase appetite. Hope you get some good input here, take care, hang in there.

[Gwennie123]

Trader Joe’s goat milk kefir. Home made apple sauce. Dark chocolate 72%.Homemade granola. Lots of milk. Eggs. Spinach. Berries. Fish. Corn tortillas.

Stinky cheese.cookies.

Keeps me happy. Easy. And I believe it’s nutritious.

[Hidden]

I had to avoid acidic foods as they made me nauseous. No tomato products & no citrus. Also couldn't handle cow's milk in anything so I switched to almond milk. Coffee began to cause problems, too. Some creamer and a splash of almond milk helped. I didn't want to give up coffee! Towards the end of my time on capecitabine, my appetite decreased, too. I remember telling my son that it was a good thing the pills required that I take them 30 minutes after eating, or I wouldn't have eaten anything at all! I'm no longer on that medication, as it didn't work for me. Starting IV Taxol this Friday. Feeling optimistic!

[Iwouldlike2knowmore in reply to Hidden]

I am sorry the capceitibine didn't work for you , How long were you on the Capceitibine. Helena

[Morenow in reply to Hidden]

How do you feel about taking it chemo? I really don’t want to do I’ve chemo..

[Hidden in reply to Morenow]

Greetings! I have mixed feelings. Feeling optimistic about the IV chemo because it will bypass my stomach. Nausea has been problematic - my stomach didn't always get along with the medication I needed to take. On the other hand, it'll be difficult going to the oncology clinic every Friday from 8am to noon. Well, I will be able to get out of the house and see people!

[Hidden]

Hi! I took two cycles (2 weeks on, 1 week off) of the full dose (5 pills twice a day) and had severe side effects that put me in the hospital for 9 days. It took that long to get the diarrhea and vomiting to stop and to get my phosphorus and potassium levels above zero. I had 1 1/2 cycles of 3 pills twice a day, which had no effect on the tumors. The remainder of that cycle plus one more cycle were 4 pills twice a day. Still did nothing. The full dose was the only thing that shrank the tumors. But I didn't want to go to the hospital all the time b/c of bad side effects.

[Iwouldlike2knowmore in reply to Hidden]

Well my stomach hurts and sometimes i buckel over.

[Hidden in reply to Iwouldlike2knowmore]

That sounds pretty serious. Have you talked to your doctor about that? I'm sure he/she would have some advice, and maybe prescribe an anti-nausea drug for you (if you can tolerate those pills. I can't - chalk that up to my multiple allergies).

[Iwouldlike2knowmore in reply to Hidden]

I will see my oncologist Thursday. Thanks Helena

[Hidden in reply to Iwouldlike2knowmore]

Greetings! It's a little after 3pm where I am. Not sure where you are or when your appointment is/was. But I'm interested in what your doc said about your stomach issues. I've also been praying for you. Also wanted to pass along this piece of advice that I got from my oncology nurse: never be afraid to call their office. If something new and troublesome has come up, give them a call. That's what they're there for. (It took me a long time to get that through my head!)

[Morenow]

Hi, I have taken that chemo for five months. The fist 3 months I did not want a fruit or vegetable. Now, I will eat the sometimes. I’ll eat what I can eat.

[Hidden in reply to Morenow]

Oh, right! I, too, had to avoid fruits & veggies b/c they'd cause lots of diarrhea. My regular doctor said I needed to go on a low fiber diet - something he rarely recommends to any of his patients!

[Kaydub]

I drink a smooth everyday that has fruits, berries, and nuts to get some calories in.