Like so many others recovering I'm having "eating issues: and want very badly to get off the tube feedings. While I can eat a little bit it's not nearly enough for calorie intake to replace the tube. My dietician and chemo oncologist suggested two different prescriptions for appetite stimulation, since I'm not even getting the hunger cues. Weird, but I don't feel hunger. Anyway, the two appetite stimulants they suggested were Marinol and Megestrol. I already filled the prescription for Megestrol, but wonder if anyone has had any success with it. I've also been taking Salagen for saliva production but haven't noticed much improvement yet.

Jen

I've found that only eating things I feel are delicious & can easily be maneuvered & swallowed is very stimulating to my appetite! Sounds like a no brainer, but it's like I had to relearn how & what to eat. So many of the things I use to eat on a regular basis, I just won't now becuase they require too much effort, struggle, coughing, etc. My new food "program" works well. I stay very physically active. I'm up around 195 from 176 & in the best physical shape in 20 years! A staple in my diet is tomatoes! Lots of Tomatoes! I can eat almost any sandwich, burger, you name it with enough tomatoes & mayo! Tomatoe & onion salad a little olive oil, basil & salt has become a standard at our dinner table. It compliments almost all foods in taste & adds enough lube so that lean proteins like sirloin steak, boneless skinless chicken breasts, etc. are easier to eat & swallow. My wife & I wer'e arranging our new kitchen the other day & she commented something about how much breakfast cereal we eat & I told her I didn't eat it anymore. I use to eat it for breakfast & late night snacks. I realized I hadn't tried to have any in a couple of months or so, so I had a big bowl of honey nut cheerios. AAARGHH!!! What a pain in the ass to eat! I coughed & struggled so much & even managed to force a cheerio up into my sinus! I finished that bowl in defiance, but won't do it again soon! My old brain says that would be good to eat, but my new brain says why bother. An obvious appetite suppression! So thats my point in this long winded story. You have to retrain your brain! You have to eat delicious, nutricious foods that are easy to eat or your brain will tell you not to eat because it's too hard, too much trouble to eat at all! Pretty soon you will hunger for the new sets of food that you love & enjoy. Just keep trying, even if your not hungry. I hope you work through it. The day I finished radiation I demanded the tube come out & a week later it was. I'm pretty determined & bullheaded once I get my mind made up & I wanted that damn tube out! I would've been in better shape had I used it more when I had it, but once it was out I had to eat! I would drink carnation instant breakfast with everthing I ate for nutrition & to wash it down. Even now milk goes with every meal. I carry a case of bottled water in the car, drink strong coffee with cream & sugar which seems to coat my mouth & throat & is delicious! Try, try, try! Never give up! You can do it! Erik

Kinda funny. I do carry a bottle of water with me everywhere, but usually I just put up with the dry mouth. Around the house I'm never without a glass of ice water to sip. Sometimes it's easier to drink juice instead of water, especially when I have to get a bunch of pills down.

I keep trying with pudding, yogurt, and believe it or not, I can get some cereal down if it's sopped real good with milk, but my appetite gets tired after a few bites. Depending on how much energy I have, I'll try to finish it.

Anyway, I was wondering if I should give any of the appetite stimulants they prescribe a try. So far the salagen hasn't offered much improvement in the salivary gland department.

You know, I almost think I should demand the PEG be removed so I'm more motivated to eat, but I'm afraid of removing my "backup" for nutrition.

JEN

Hi Jen,

I to had some appetite issues and was given Marinol to take. Which is medical pot. It didn't
make me hungry at all. I only took them for about a week. I found it's more of a will to eat that will help you. You will need the nutrients to heal as well as maintain.
Have you tried eating some smoothies? They pack alot of calories and protein. One smoothie equals
around 1300 calories and 42% of your daily protein needs. They are like eating a large milkshake.

2 cups ice cream
2 cups Whole milk
1 cup half & half
1 scoop of Whey protein powder. (bought at gnc)
1 package of Carnation instant breakfast. (Flavor your choice)
1 tablespoon malted milk powder
3 tablesoops of ovaltine. (Use this for the chocolate flavor only)

Mix in blender and serve in a chilled mug.
I find the strawberry ones taste the best.

As I get further out from my treatment I find I can eat normal food alot more now than right after treatment. The old sayin comes into play here. "Use it or Lose it". Homemade soups also are easy to eat. Steak is also another I find easy to eat. I to carry a bottle of water where ever I go. Part of my new life. Hoping you to can find the will and power to start eating again. The sooner you can take in the needed nutrients the sooner the peg comes out. I had my peg in for seven months.

Best wishes, Danny Boy

Opp's, Hi Jen
The above shoud read 1 cup whole milk & 1/2 cup half & half.

Danny Boy