Hi

Robert here.

I am currently on my 7th day of a 25 day course of Radiotherapy.The team say that I will not experience the side effects of the treatmant until another week.But my appetite has almost disappeared and I am not eating.The effects of my recent chemotherapy may still be taking its toll however.

Can anyone advise how many calories per day is advised during treatment

Hi Robert

I sympathise with you - I remember that period well. My doctor complained that I lost too much weight to quickly - but there was very little I could do about it. I didn't have a PEG and had to rely on soft or liquid food. You have to remember that your health is sustained by your food intake and even though you have a low appetite, you must try to get something into your body - especially liquids. Try using a blender and mix a banana and some milk to make a shake - and also try taking smaller amounts but more frequently during the day - you will have to alter your eating habits anyway as time progresses.
I realise that it's easier said than done - but you are the one that has to beat this - we can only cheer you on.

Good luck to you

Pete

[
Lorraine,
I had to have liquid feed for a while and my aim was to have 3000 calories a day. Your body needs extra calories to rebuild itself.
I had chemo at the same time as radiotherapy and it is tough. Do you hve a peg? It really helped me through the dark days of treatment. Week 2 + of radiotherapy. I still ate a little but I had fortisips thru peg to keep caolories and nutrients up.
I finished treatment beg of Sept and I had my peg out yesterday! Yipee! Still can't eat loads of things but I try a little and often and keep my liquids up- very important for you at the moment. Keep smiling
Anne W

Robert,
It really is important that you get proper nutrition. If you are having difficulties then talk to your macmillan nurse, who will put you in contact with the dietician. They can prescripe fortisip, or fortijuice, which Anne mentioned above. These are very high protein and calorie drinks. Your body needs the protein to heal itself, as it was explained to me the Radiation kills all the cells in the affected area, and the body needs to regenerate the healthy cells, but to do that it needs the right building blocks.

I know I laughed when I read the diet sheet, as I had never believed that a hospital would tell me to eat cream cakes! Neither did anybody else as I've never been a thin slip of a girl.

I found that the tubes of fruit flavoured fromage frais slipped down really easily, and these had a high protein content, so you could try these. There are also lots of recipe ideas on this forum.

Hello Robert Another high calorie drink is Scandishakes which are available on prescription. They come in various flavours. They taste good (if you like milk!) especially if you put a dollop of ice-cream in too! They contain lots of vitamins and minerals - the down side is they can be constipating so perhaps drink fresh orange or prune juice for breakfast (if fruit juice is too acidic perhaps take a senna tablet instead) It's a constant balancing act between medications/'build-up' drinks and keeping 'regular' !!

Dear all

Thanks for the advice you have given.I think my problem is my mind is telling me to envisage food as I have always have and therefore eat the food in the same form as before.For example a banana is easier ate mashed up than whole.

As for the fortisips ,I had an orangejuice one last night and I felt better for it.

Today is a new day and I am going to take all the advice on board.

Brenda ,In terms of constipation then my only worry is I had very little to pass over the last few days.I hope to reslove this soon

I will have to see food in a different light over the next few months

thanks to all

Hi there.
I agree with you about the mind thing. I have just come to terms with the fact that bread and potatoes are a no for me now. I tried pizza tonight thats no good too. Too dry. I had a constipation problem when on the fortisips and you can have them with fibre which seemed to do the trick! Also I pureed prune and put it thru my Peg. I ate loads of soups so many that I cant face them now. My dietician told me to put cream in them for extra calories.
Which hospital are you at as I live close to you?
Anne W

I am receiving my Radiotherapy at North Staffs.In terms of eating the lack of appetite has now being joined by real pain in my mouth.I am having a banana each morning mashed with milk.Apart from that virtually no solids other than soup with a few noodles in it.Supplementing my diet with fortisips at an increasing level at the moment

Has anyone any recomendations regarding pain?The standard painkillers that can be purchased over the counter are now having a diminishing effect

Robert,
Talk to your Radiotherapists today. They will arrange for you to see a registrar, who will prescribe stronger medication. I was given liquid morphine (Oramorph), but beware this makes the constipation worse, so if you are already suffering ask for something to deal with this.
On the food side, consider it to be part of the treatment, and take it as if it was medicine. I found that the tubes of fromage frais were easy to eat at this stage, and were also high in protein which is very important. We also stopped off at a Macdonalds drive through on the way back from the hospital on quite a few occasions, as I found that the ice-cold vanilla milkshakes were very soothing, even if it did take me an hour to eat one.

Hello Lorraine

Many patients have found Gelclair helpful. It coats the ulcers related to the mucositis (a reaction to thre radiotherapy) to give pain relief with no side-effects. Gelclair is a bioadherent oral gel that provides relief for the treatment of pain associated with oral mucositis, a debilitating side effect often seen in cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment or chemotherapy. It provides a protective adherent barrier over the surface of the mouth and throat, thereby shielding and soothing the exposed and sensitized nerves.

There is more information also on the Helsinn's Gelclair site. You can get your doctor or oncologist to prescribe it.

Hope it helps.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

At Radiotherapy yesterday I was prescribed Cocodamol dissolvable in water and also Asprin dissolvable in Lemon Mucilage.

Both to be taken 4 times a day.Good news is that it is working and I actually feel a little light headed in a nice sort of way

Anyway thanks to all on here ,you support and comments are a great inspriration

Robert,

Glad you are feeling better. Keep them up-to-date at the hospital, and don't be afraid to ask them for any help you need.

There are also loads of tips on this site. I found that biotene toothpaste was really useful, with a baby toothbrush, as well as an oral-B hummingbird (a type of flosser) as oral hygeine is important, but can be painful.