Hi everyone,
At present I am on Navelbine and I’m having problems with eating. The thought of eating most things turns my stomach. When I try to eat the few things I still don’t mind the taste of it’s a struggle to finish them. This is apparently a major side effect of Navelbine but I know other chemos cause it too. (I had similar issues with Cape but not as bad.) Has anyone managed to deal with this. How did you manage? Best wishes xxx
Hello waffles
Just dipped in to say hello but I don’t have any experience of your chemo. I think most of us ladies here don’t have big appetites anymore and so the answer is maybe little and often. Can you try maybe a healthy smoothie with veg which would give u some good vitamins etc.
The thought of a three course meal …even for me …makes me feel full at the thought of it !!
Hugs xxx
Waffles, I’m sorry I haven’t had that problem so far. I did want to say that navelbine (vinorelbine here) kept me stable for 5 years! Good luck!
Thanks ladies,
Carolyn, good idea . Maybe smoothies are the way forward for me. The thought of a three course meal is awful at the moment. I think you are right about the little and often.idea. I just need to make sure I’m getting enough calories. .I"m going to see if I can see a dietician as I really can’t carry on trying to eat as I did before.
Funnyface, you are an inspiration and such a source or kindness and wise words to all of us on the forum.
Best wishes xxx
Hi Waffles, I was just reading your post and wonder if you have tried high calorie drinks? I believe that you can buy Fortisip or Fortijuice, I think those are the product names, over the counter. They use them in hospitals. Or Complan which makes a flavoured drink, the chocolate is quite nice! I have used it before in my non-eating phases and gives you a balanced light meal in a drink xx
Hi Funnyface,
Thanks for your good wishes. Five years on Navelbine is amazing. I’m on the oral form. Two weeks on and one week off. II’ve no idea if it’s working yet as I’ve not had a scan since I started it. I’m due one in a couple of weeks. I’m pretty terrified. I managed 9 months on my last treament Cape which my onc said was good but I was hoping for much longer. I was so disappointed when it failed as I was coping really well on it. Navelbine has been a bit harder on me with weird abdominal pains (which my onc says are to do with my bowels) and I’ve gone off loads of foods. However, I’m still pretty active and fit which is a good sign I suppose. Hope not too cold in US just now. Freezing here.
Stillhere, I’ve heard of complan but not the high calorie drinks. Thanks, I’ll defiitely look in to those.I’ve been following Carolyn’s suggestion of eating little but often and doing not too badlty today. I’m off to have a ham roll just now rather than a big dinner. I’m really looking forward to it.
Thanks again ladies xxx
Hi all,
At appointment the other day I mentioned my poor appetite and onc noticed my gradual but consistent weight loss. She prescribed Dexemethasone (steroid) 2mg each morning to kick start appetite before appointment with dietician. It is helping a bit so far and, as it is a low dose, I’m not ravenous. and have no sleep problems. I do feel quite hyper and well which I’m enjoying too!. Best wishes xxx
Hi Waffles,
well done with the steroids, an glad its helping.
i am having a re think about my eating habits, as I have beet plagued a bit with reflux, have been taking omeprazole, but now research has appeared which shows a link with both dementia and stroke! So I am considering eating smaller meals and not eating late in the day…
.my appetite does vary. Vinoralbine(Navelbine) didnt really affect it, but wasnt on it that long. Eribulin does, but to be honest I am glad of the weight loss too!
you seem to have some good ideas to try out…hope everything works out wellxxx
this is not the best season for us to be battling with these problems…is it?
hugs, Mojanx???
Hiya Moijan
I too suffer from reflux ( since chemo 2004) and was prescribed omeprazole but another side effect is breakage of bones with it …with so many bone Mets I won’t risk it. Like u …I eat early in day and avoid big meals …Rennie tablets are my best friend and those little pots of yoghalt type ones help too !!
Hugs xxx
Oh Dear, Funnyface,
sorry to have spooked you…the research is very newly hot off the press…and I have so far asked my gp, who says its more likely with large doses over a long period; and several pharmacists who all say ‘well, the ressearch is not that clear’ Carolyn is verycorrect about the bone breakage risk however.
I have cut mine down because. One parent had a stroke and the other had short term memory loss due to vascular changes…at present I am on 10 mg a day and because I have had chest pains( investigated) the gp thought I might have a duodenal ulcer…which also isnt a good thing…Omeprasole is used to cure these.
Also! I find food sometimes feels a bit scratchy going down too, and am concerned about oesophageal cancer which is very hard to treat…I met a guy in the. Chemo unit the other week who explained he had had reflux for years and hadnt realised the cancer risk…he now has oesophageal cancer.
I think Carolyns approach sounds excellent and im going to adopt some of it, but maybe FF you might want to chat to your physician…I think the USA medics are much more strict, due to the litigation risk…and I would love to hear what your physician saysxx
Hugs,
Moijanxx???
Hi Moijan,
I was on omeprazole for a year or so before my secondary diagnosis but gave it up partly because of the bone issue Carolyn mentioned. and also because I’m always scared about drug interactions where one stops others working effectively. I think I got a bit paranoid with that though! xxx
Oh dearie me … Im so sorry to have spooked you all about this and its probably just me being paranoid about side effects as usual.
I was just thinking about you all sat there with heartburn and indigestion and poor hubbys being sent out to the late night chemist or garages to get Rennies !!! Bless them !!
Something else that helps when you have that real burn … a piece of dry bread or milk. Also someone said the other day that they had been getting lots of heartburn and migraines with Cadburys chocolate since it was sold to US owners ( sorry Funnyface) as the ingredients have changed !! Now as a big chocky eater I have took that on board as well !!!
hugs everyone and enjoy Strictly tonight xxxx
Funny face,
Do chat to your physician_, he_ will be keen to put an unbiased and_ _researched veiw.( sorry about the italics)
i would love to hear his opinion and what you decide. Hopefully he wont charge you for asking the question.
also, I met a guy on wednesday who is taking 40mgs at bedtime, some take 80 mgs so we need to keep this in perspective.
Carolyn you havent made me paranoid…Chocolate gives. Me reflux so Im avoiding it!
we all need to get med advice re omeprazole because there might be a good reason why we shouldnt stop it.
love and hugsxx
Moijanxx
Funnyface, did you hear anything from your doctor? Re the omeprazole, I mean?
love Moijanxx