Hard to drink/eat due to nausea?

Question

My mom already had her third chemo for cancer, but due to a bowel obstruction by the tumors, she has a PEG tube in her stomach to gravity drain the bile. Anyways she had prior to that an NG tube down her nose/throat for weeks and it dried her up. She is scared/having a hard time with eating or drinking (often makes her gag/throw up)...any ideas on how to ease back into eating and or/drinking so we can get her off the TPN intravenous feeding?

She doesn't want to do weed and the dr knows but says she doesn't need to eat or drink (due to the tpn for now) but mom really wants to get back on tract and can't go home with IV feeding.

Wow good answers everyone! I'd like to add she is on Zofran in the hospital but after chemo #3 she has been really sick and nauseous (even 5 days later). This has been kinda an issue even before the chemo, it's almost like her throat is so dry and her stomach isn't really used to food/drink anymore. Also she has no medical insurance.

Answer 1

When my son was first diagnosed with stage IV abdominal sarcoma he literally had no room left in the abdominal cavity for food. He would take two bites and be 'full'. So, I understand your concern.
Our premise became . . whatever he wanted to eat, whatever appealed to him the most . . he got.
I didn't care what it was and the medical staff also assured us that it was more important that he have 'calories' than worry about type of food.

That being said . . ask your Mom what her favorite food is or what appeals to her most right now. For my son it was fresh baked, home made yeast rolls with a touch of real butter. We basically kept a bag of those rolls in his hospital room.

I'm not suggesting that your Mom start out with anything too heavy for now . . she probably should do something with liquid first. Does she like ice cream . . would she like a milkshake or smoothie? Something cold that will slip down easily? My son loved the milkshakes and the nurses were always willing to try and whip one up for him. Check with her doctor before trying any of these though.

The American Cancer Society has some high calorie and high protein drinks and recipes:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_Preparing_Yourself_for_Cancer_Treatment.asp?sitearea=MBC

Hope you can find something that appeals to her.
Keep trying.

The legal medical use of marijuana is the drug Marinol (Dronabinol) which helps to relieve the nausea and can also help to stimulate appetite. Oncologists can legally prescribe this. There are also other drugs that help stimulate the appetite and relieve nausea, ask your Moms oncologist about them.

Answer 2

With a bowel obstruction the doctor may only want her to have iv feeding until the tumors have shrunk. Once the doctor has approved having food, there are nutrition drinks available in the drugstore that will give the needed nutrients as well as be easy to swallow. Perhaps the doctor could prescribe an anti-nausea medicine such as atavin/lorazepam which prevented me from ever having nausea during eight sessions of chemo over a six month period. If you know someone who could make egg custard the consistency to drink, it is rather mild tasting. I made this for my neighbor when she could not keep anything else down during chemo. It is made of eggs, milk and sugar. Other mild foods are apple sauce, potatoes, cottage cheese and any milk product. Different forms of chemo affect people differently and also affect the taste of food . Therefore, what one person may be able to eat without nausea, another cannot. Food with a lot of flavor or spices are usually made stronger by the effect of the chemo in the patient's tastebuds and therefore sickening to them though it may seem delicious to the rest of us not on chemo. Much food has a metallic taste to the chemo patient.

Answer 3

Wow, so many great answers! I'd like to add specifically to calvaman's post in regarding "nutritional drinks at the drugstore"; this most likely is Ensure, and insurance pays for this!! Please have your TPN supplier provide it for you, all they need is a script from your mom's doctor.

As far as nausea; have your mom's oncologist prescribe Reglan, Zofran, etc to assist in minimizing this affect.

If your mom has sores in her mouth due to the dryness and/or the chemo get her some yummy life savers; Butter Rum is good gets the saliva active again and therefore swallowing and noticing that it isn't THAT bad to swallow something.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, many chemo drugs can do a number on the ability to eat, drink and keep food down. I found on some days I could only manage a bite or two. Foods that tasted normal to me (potatoes, eggs and tomatoe) prepared in any form kept me going. I had breast cancer and lost about 10 pounds but as soon as chemo was finished and food started tasting normal again I gained it all back.

The important thing to do now, is to keep hydrated and get through chemo and avoid infections. Patience in getting through Chemo will help

Good luck to you and your mom, my prayers are with you!

Answer 5

First dear, I know what you are going through, my aunt is going through the same type of thing and she has 20 more chemos to go. So far, and I am so sorry to tell you this, but it will be some time before she will be able to go back to normal eating and drinking. Hold her, tell her you love her and you will be with her all through her time of need because she will need you desperately.You are a good son to seek advice in helping her. May the Lord bless her and you.

Answer 6

Light foods like jello and clear broths, 7-up, just to get her mouth and digestive system used to the feel - just a small sip at a time to start. If she adjusts well, then move her on to noodle soups and applesauce. She might even want to try toddler baby food - small portions and easily digestible. As a former cancer patient, I can tell you that a little "smoke" can do wonders for nausea and appetite.

Answer 7

They do have a drug called marinol it is basically weed in a pill that a lot of people use- Zofran can be given in pill form that works a lot- we do salt and soda solution and gargle with it it tends to soothe the mouth-

Answer 8

Here's a link to a downloadable pdf book that is full of good recipes.http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/publicationlist/0,,3543_247810668_269786589_langId-en.html. The book is called Good Nutrition; A guide for people with cancer. Chemotherapy: A guide for people with cancer is also a good one. You find it in the publications list.

Answer 9

you may or may not like this answer, but marijuana is the best for chemo patients. it will ease her nausea, do wonders for her mood and increase her appetite.

you can speak to your doctor about getting a medical marijuana card if you are in california, otherwise call a friend, get an eighth and let her smoke small doses. the idea is not to harm her with carcinogens or overwhelm her and get her stoned off her ***, but to ease the symptoms she's going through.

Answer 10

during my chemos it was so hard to eat and drink. what made it easier for me was to have soup, either homemade or can, etc.

try the soup, it really, really helps. try to ask family members, friends, neighbours to make for your mom homemade lite chicken soup. my mom makes it for me and its great when on chemo.