Like most in here I've suffered weight lost during and post RT.

I am down 2st from 12st but have now stabilised. My diet mainly consists of wizzed up normal food supplemented by hi energy drinks (fresubin) and Pro Cal Shot.

Eating is not too difficult and i am now progressing to more solid(ish) food , although with no molars left chewing is still very time consuming.

My biggest problem is appetite. I DONT HAVE ONE. I simply cant remember the last time i actually felt hungry nor can i imagaine feeling hungry again.


Has anyone any recommendations for stimulating appetite. A few friends have mentioned sherry as beeing very good, which i did try but just stung the back of my mouth so much i couldn't bear it.

Any advice welocme.

Cheers


Ian

I really feel for you because I too, have little appetite. What I've found helpful is that, if I have any desire at all, I eat anyway and sometimes it's more pleasurable than I expected. Walking, if it's possible for you, may help . I have a little appetite sometimes after a good walk. Looking at cookbook helps and making something works pretty well. Some T.V dinners are good because they have appetizing pictures on the box. Lean Cousine is usually not too spicy so I do well with that. Foods I can eat are, smoothies made with frozen bananas, protien powders, ice cream ect, Pot roast stew, a fried egg on hash browns, Oatmeal, fetticini . Tomatoes burn, spices and berries burn. Good luck and peace to you.

Hi Ian, cant really help with that one. I never lost my appetite during RT. The only thing I can think of is alcohol really, I know it's a mouth cancer forum so alcohol shouldn't be high on the recommendations but it might help. Can sherry be mixed with something else?. Have you tried Baileys Irish Cream?, thats evil for calories, mellow ish on the mouth and bloody lovely . If you do find it a bit strong you can always water it down a bit more with more cream. Hagg.

Have you cut back on the supplements Ian and if your not filled up with them then hopefully you willget hungry. I have cut back on them and do get hungry.

Love Chloex

Hi,
Had the same problem, found out that anorexics are treated with zinc supplements to stimulate the appetite. I've been taking it for months and yes is does work,it kicks in two to three weeks after taking 15mg a day. You might talk to your dietician and ask about dosage but it has certainley helped me.
SusieR

Hi Susie
Thanks for the tip re zinc. We swear by the stuff if someone is run down. This has happened to Trevor a couple of times over the years and he has broken out in cold sores, as does our son Jack. A double dose of zinc will knock it on the head pretty quick smart.
Trevor had some after this last op as he was very run down but stopped taking it as soon as he was on the mend. HOWEVER ~ we did not know about the appetite boosting aspect so he will be back on that ASAP because he just has no appetite and says that he wouldn't be bothered eating if I wasn't there nagging!

Didn't mean to pinch your thread Ian, but I'm a bit excited by Susie's advice and couldn't let it pass.
I hope you also get some benefit from the ideas put forward.
Cheers
Deborah