Chemotherapy and dieting?
Replies
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First of all, my heart goes out to you! I've had many family members go through cancer, so I can imagine what you may be going through. I'm sending lots of hugs and positive vibes your way. Have you tried taking Dramamine? It's anti-nausea medication they sell over the counter. It comes in pill form, and a bracelet you can wear. Pending any prescription reactions of anything you could be taking at the moment. I would imagine a pharmacist can help you in that department. If your doc will do it, they also sell prescription patches. Peppermint tea is also soothing on an upset stomach. Maybe try slowly sipping on any type of liquid calories you can get? The ginger ale mentioned above could be soothing, and something like Ensure shakes or Slimfast shakes could bulk up your calories if you can keep them down. And, of all stupid things, flat Pepsi or Dr. pepper might help the nausea. I know it's one of those old wives tale things, but I've seen it work on my siblings when they would get sick. Best of luck! Kick that cancer's *kitten*!2
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rickiimarieee wrote: »I would do your best to put on some weight. You can worry about losing any excess later. If you end up doing a round of chemo, I have to believe the weight will come off anyway, which is probably one of the reasons your doctor is concerned.
Try eating calorie dense foods like peanut butter, nuts, etc. when you are having a tough time.
A lady I worked with was having chemo, and she was able to obtain medical marijuana, which she told me helped quite a bit with both nausea and her appetite.
In my state medical marijuana isn’t legal yet unfortunately
Yes, but Marinol (dronabinol) is. I was given Marinol during the end of my treatments because I had such a hard time eating and had lost so much weight. Marinol is THC suspended in oil in a little white gel cap. They worked - gave me quite the buzz too. I'd pop a few and hit the food court at the mall. I'd eat so much that I could barely waddle to the train.
I went from 230 pounds at 6'1 to 135 pounds at the end. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had been much lighter at the start. A good chunk of deaths attributed to cancer are directly caused by wasting... You have a fight on your hands. You are going to want to stack the deck as much as you can in your favor.7 -
I'm not sure you want to hear it, but my mom lost the battle with cancer. She always had somewhat disordered thinking about food and weight, and was happy when she lost more. She was given food via a tube when she refused to eat, but she removed it. Doctors said she had a real chance of recovery. She chose not to but to be thin instead.15
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Not all chemotherapies are the same, and not all of them make you lose weight. You need to find out the specific therapy your medical oncologist is prescribing.
I didn’t see where you mentioned your BMI, but you want to stay in the normal range during and after treatment. People lose weight during treatment for several reasons including increased caloric needs related to cell repair from chemo/radiation, pain during eating from mucosities (sores that run your entire GI tract), change in taste, and nausea.
You really should join a support group specializing on your exact cancer. They will have a wealth of knowledge available to you.
One final word...be careful eating your favorite foods if you get sick during treatment. You could end up never wanting to eat that food again.
I think my BMI is 22.1 I’m 5’3 and 124/125. So I’m in the healthy weight I’m not underweight or anything!0 -
fuzzylop72 wrote: »When I underwent abvd chemo (for hodgkin lymphoma), I was told not to change dietary habits but if you're on the lighter side, they probably want you to be above a certain weight due to the expectation that you will have a reduced appetite. It might vary based on the treatment, and not everyone is affected the same. For example, I didn't really get nausea in the days following a treatment unless I ate something extremely spicy on the day of/day after treatment. I had anti-nausea medication, but didn't need to take it. Even with that said, I didn't have as much of an appetite in the days immediately following chemo.
This helps a lot! It’s not so much I’m worried about the weight gain just as I’m worried about the nausea that comes with eating more than my body has adjusted too over the year I’ve been doing this. I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!0 -
I've had cancer; I've had chemotherapy. I'd advise following your doctor's orders, unless and until your new doctor directs you differently.
Personally, I'd look at it this way: It's not going to be possible for you to gain massive amounts of weight before chemo. Going into that period a few pounds heavier can't hurt you, and might possibly help you.
((Hugs)).
I have yet to see my new doctor. I’m going to cancer centers of America. It takes awhile to get in there. It’s not so much I’m worried about the weight gain just as I’m worried about the nausea that comes with eating more than my body has adjusted too over the year I’ve been doing this. I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!3 -
11 years ago I had NHL. A very aggressive form. I was 5'5 and 110 lbs. There was no concern about putting extra weight on. And my rounds of chemo lasted 96 hours each. But I will say that I was put on 2 anti nausea drugs. One I was given during chemo, and the other I could take as much as I needed. It worked so well, I never got sick, I hardly ever felt sick (I took ALOT of that second drug) so I ate all the time. I even gained weight during treatment.
The standard anti nausea they will give you during treatment is zofran....but I asked my oncologist to give me extra thorazine on top of that. It's AMAZING for strong nausea and was a life saver for me. If the doctor doesn't want to give that, you can ask for compazine....but it's not as strong.0 -
cheryldumais wrote: »I understand your concern after fighting to lose weight being told to gain must be infuriating on top of the diagnosis. My sister had stage three hodgkins disease and underwent chemo. It was a rough road with lots of nausea and vomiting. At this point maybe you should go ahead and allow yourself to gain a few pounds. I'm assuming they would be happy with 10 pounds? You could also get a second opinion. She was not told to gain weight but perhaps she was heavier than you.
I am so sorry for your situation. At this point you're fighting for your life and a few extra pounds aren't going to make alot of difference for the next little while. You have the rest of your life to lose those 10 pounds. Good luck my friend.
Thank you for understanding! It’s not so much I’m worried about the weight gain just as I’m worried about the nausea that comes with eating more than my body has adjusted too over the year I’ve been doing this. I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat! Also about her being told not to gain weight, I’ve read on multiple things that you shouldn’t change your eating habits and try to maintain so that’s why I feel she is wrong.1 -
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Maintaining/gaining a bit of weight will definitely help. My first thought would be adding smoothies and protein shakes. For smoothies, you could try a blend of full-fat Greek yogurt, leafy greens like spinach or kale, a banana, and any other fruit you enjoy (berries are tasty). For protein shakes, maybe a scoop of chocolate protein powder, a couple tablespoons of full-fat peanut butter, a banana, and milk.
If you can tolerate those well enough, they will add a good calorie boost to your diet, not to mention a good amount of protein.
Good luck.
Thank you I haven’t thought of protein shakes! Good idea!!1 -
I've had cancer, chemo, and radiation.
Follow your doctors orders.
Prioritize. First get healthy and do whatever you need to do to get through chemo and into remission. Worry about aesthetics later.
What got me through were KFC potatoes and gravy, loads of pudding and jello with protein powder mixed in. Rice and bananas and as much fiber as you can tolerate to keep the bowels moving. I also went through bags of horehound and ginger candies to ease the nausea.
Prayers are up!5 -
rickiimarieee wrote: »I've had cancer; I've had chemotherapy. I'd advise following your doctor's orders, unless and until your new doctor directs you differently.
Personally, I'd look at it this way: It's not going to be possible for you to gain massive amounts of weight before chemo. Going into that period a few pounds heavier can't hurt you, and might possibly help you.
((Hugs)).
I have yet to see my new doctor. I’m going to cancer centers of America. It takes awhile to get in there. It’s not so much I’m worried about the weight gain just as I’m worried about the nausea that comes with eating more than my body has adjusted too over the year I’ve been doing this. I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
IF the cancer is all over, that's probably why you can't gain weight. The tumors are taking your nutrition. That's why when I had cancer I kept losing no matter who much I ate.6 -
I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?5 -
I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?
She won't gain any weight. It's cancer. It starves her body of nutrients. I have a feeling she's not so much "watching her calories" as she thinks. More so that she just isn't gaining any weight with what she is eating.7 -
I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?
And I'm just guessing here but I think the doctor she is talking about here is not an oncologist, hence why she is getting a new doctor.5 -
YvetteK2015 wrote: »She won't gain any weight. It's cancer. It starves her body of nutrients. I have a feeling she's not so much "watching her calories" as she thinks. More so that she just isn't gaining any weight with what she is eating.
Obviously I have no way of knowing what is happening inside you.
My mom managed to keep her weight relatively stable once she started chemotherapy (she visibly lost fat and muscle before treatment start). In spite of eating such than in the past she would have gained weight eating this way, she has only managed stability, perhaps a hint of recovery, based on visual evaluation.
When dealing with illness and depending on what is happening inside you weight, by itself, can be a very un-reliable indicator. During my mom's first paracentesis the fluid that was removed added up to >10% of her total weight.
While eating till you feel nausea may or may not be necessary, the fear I would have is that if you don't force yourself to eat you may continue to lose muscle and fat.
Ensure also makes a high gain formula which maximizes calories per volume. As I've only seen it in hospital I don't know if it has to be prescribed or special ordered.2 -
No advice for you as many posters already covered it. But, I just want to say how sorry I am that you are going through this. Wishing you peace and strength in the days and months ahead.2
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You need NUTRITION, don't sweat a "diet" right now.1
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YvetteK2015 wrote: »I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?
She won't gain any weight. It's cancer. It starves her body of nutrients. I have a feeling she's not so much "watching her calories" as she thinks. More so that she just isn't gaining any weight with what she is eating.
Cancer doesn't universally starve one's body of nutrients or prevent weight gain, at stages where we are mostly able to carry on with everyday life.
Are you an oncologist? I'm not, so I'd be hesitant to make detailed assessments of OP's current probability of cancer cachexia based on what's been written here. I suspect her personal doctor, even a non-oncologist, is in a better position to assess that.
I'm sympathetic that she's worried about the current doctor's competence, but diagnosis and treatment are doctor territory, not internet forum territory, IMO.7 -
YvetteK2015 wrote: »I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?
She won't gain any weight. It's cancer. It starves her body of nutrients. I have a feeling she's not so much "watching her calories" as she thinks. More so that she just isn't gaining any weight with what she is eating.
Cancer doesn't universally starve one's body of nutrients or prevent weight gain, at stages where we are mostly able to carry on with everyday life.
Are you an oncologist? I'm not, so I'd be hesitant to make detailed assessments of OP's current probability of cancer cachexia based on what's been written here. I suspect her personal doctor, even a non-oncologist, is in a better position to assess that.
I'm sympathetic that she's worried about the current doctor's competence, but diagnosis and treatment are doctor territory, not internet forum territory, IMO.
No, not an oncologist, but cancer type can be a determining factor in weight loss from cancer. Were you may not lose weight from a brain tumor necessarily, lymphomas are notorious for that. Plus her stating that she can't gain no matter how much she eats? Those are specific signs to look for.
Plus I'm not stating anything that isn't already known to be a symptom. When you get a workup for cancer, weightloss is one of the main questions. If it's making you lose weight, being told to gain weight first before chemo is almost impossible.5 -
I have never undergone chemotherapy/cancer treatment so I won't comment on that, but you have said this to a few people:
I’ve been stuffing my face for the last two weeks and haven’t gained a pound so at this point I’d rather watch my calories and not be nauseous then to force myself to eat!
If you've been eating more and not gaining/maintaining, why do you think you should eat less ("watch calories") to maintain? From your history, it seems that watching calories to not be nauseous will result in you losing weight. Which is probably what the doctor is concerned about. I think what @AnnPT77 was saying isto follow your current doctor's orders (gain weight/eat more) until you are able to be seen by your new doctor and hear what they recommend. Did you ask your doctor why they recommended you to gain when your research suggests maintaining, rather than just decide she's wrong and you need a new doctor?
I actually didn’t get to ask her the reasons for gaining. She’s always in a hurry so I don’t get much time to process and think of questions until after the appointment is done2
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