Hard Time Managing Chemo Symptoms - Can't Eat

SS_Lilac

My mother is on a very strong regimen of chemotherapy since she is HER2+ and stage 4 breast cancer. She is having difficulty with swallowing and eating food, however, she has not lost her appetite fully. Mom is finding it very painful to eat any types of: bland food, water, smoothie, puree or soft/overcooked foods of any kind.

We suspect that she has mouth sores in her throat from the chemo that is causing pain when swallowing, because of this, mom is getting extremely weak and dehydrated from not being able to eat even the smallest morsel of food and drink.

Any suggestions/tips on how to manage the painful throat sores and inability to swallow is much appreciated.

p.s. Also, recipes for foods that are soft or puree and easy on the digestive system.

sbelizabeth

SS_Lilac, I'm sorry your mom is enduring this. She needs to call her doctor and discuss this distressing problem. Without fluids and nourishment her body can't recover from the effects of chemo.

There's some stuff called "magic mouthwash" that helps sometimes. Your mom's oncologist is surely familiar with it.

Sending gentle hugs--SB

https://www.verywellhealth.com/magic-mouthwash-for...

moth

definitely report mouth sores to your oncologist. There are prescription mouth and throat rinses that can numb temporarily and heal the mouth and throat sores

Also most cancer centers have dietitians on staff who can help with meal planning and recipes.

Watch her hydration because she may need to go for IV fluids to keep her hemodynamically stable

Let us know what resources you have at your cancer center