Struggling with disordered eating, depression and cancer

[Dinah Dyer]

Hi, I'm new here but would love to communicate with others having similar issues to me. I have had type 2 for 8 years or so which was being managed with oral meds but my hba1c was variable as I comfort eat when low, particularly sweet foods. I was changed to insulin this year as I have throat cancer, it's been a hellish 6 months with chemo, radio and an admission to ITU with Sepsis, Pneumonia and respiratory failure. I'm now on a long lasting - Tresiba and a short lasting insulin and have only in the last couple of months started eating again as the treatment, particularly Radio on my throat caused awful mouth pain and long lasting ulcers in my mouth and throat. I still have some swelling and ulcers but they are much better and I can eat most things now. However, my taste has completely changed, I can't face eating a meal and mostly want snacks. I was on Fortisip when not eating which is very high in sugar. I feel like I'm back in the bad place of wanting to snack constantly, despite not being hungry and am constantly having to give extra insulin to manage my snacks. I feel at my wits end with it. I have had eating problems for years. Now I have a Libre it is really easy to measure my diabetes.
I really want to be kind to my body and eat good food but it's so hard, especially if I am on my own. Depression after the changes in life can't help either as I was working as a nurse and finished due to health. Apologies for the essay - I'm going to take the dog for a walk now and see if it re sets my day for me

 

[trophywench]

I don't see any reason why you can't 'graze' instead of eating 2 or 3 conventional meals a day, as long as what you have during each day is properly nutritionally balanced so you get all your trace elements and such, but not far too many calories especially of carbohydrate - it's no good for anyone's body to gorge on any of the 3 food groups - protein, fat or carbs - if that means you don't get sufficient of one of the others. (well - I'd expect you to know that anyway, having been a nurse)

I'm not a grazer so it's no good me trying to suggest things to you as some of what I might have myself eg a Ryvita or cream cracker with whatever, is going to be far too sharp for yourself to enjoy at present.

Are you able to eat things like small carrot batons, maybe dipped in something protein?

 

[Dinah Dyer]

Hi, thanks, I could accept that grazing through the day may be better for me rather than pushing myself to eat bigger meals. The main issue is me wanting to eat more unhealthy foods when I'm feeling low in mood. Having ready chopped veg is a good idea, thanks, I will try it. I'm definitely using more insulin on days when I'm feeling this way but am due to meet with my diabetes nurse in a couple of weeks so can discuss it then. Thanks for your help.

 

[Windy]

Can you make a meal, then split it into little portions, and freeze some of them. So make soup, and put that into portions, or stew or whatever you can cope with eating.
Like Trophywench says, you don't have to have massive meals. If smaller meals are easier, then go with them. If you have a number of portions defrosted for the day, with a bit of variety and fresh stuff mixed in, so have something like scrambled egg for breakfast, soup as a mid morning snack, a light lunch of stew, mid afternoon snack of dips and chopped veg, and a little portions of yogurt with a few raspberries/strawberries? Or whatever you like to eat.
Also, ask if you can get a referral to a dietician if the diabetes nurse can do that when you see them. You may be able to get ideas from them too.
Best wishes, Sarah

 

[Vonny]

Low mood is so difficult, and completely understandable with the complex medical issues you've had to face. Snack wise: cheese or nuts on a daily basis, occasional fun size treats when you've had a really bad day? A good light treat for me is strawberries and chopped nuts in double cream...not particularly slimming but quite light on the carbs. Best of luck @Dinah Dyer

 

[picitup]

I'm not surprised you're depressed given all the issues you've had to deal with. Are you the sort of person that would go for counselling? You can get it for free at the GP. I've been plenty of times and have found it beneficial. Just an idea, but it sounds like you need some decent support after everything that's happened.

I'm sure you know that if you're depressed, everything becomes harder.

Best of luck and {hugs} 🙂
Steve

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Dinah Dyer, welcome to the forum.

Really sorry to hear about all that you're going through at the moment, it's no wonder you feel as you do.

I think it sounds like a good idea for you to eat smaller meals if that helps.

We eat 'unhealthy' foods when we feel low due to the impact it has on our mood related hormones, is there anything you can do that doesn't involve food but lifts your mood? Could be a hobby, journaling, music, youtube or anything that you enjoy. Combining that with a healthy snack may be more fulfilling.

 

[Pigeon]

Hello, and sorry to hear about all the issues you have going on.

Just wondered if the centre where you had cancer treatment has a late effects clinic? I work in radiotherapy and head and neck treatment is really tough, and the after effects too. My dept has some MacMillan trained staff offering advice on life after treatment, might be worth asking.

All the best x

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, I'm new here but would love to communicate with others having similar issues to me. I have had type 2 for 8 years or so which was being managed with oral meds but my hba1c was variable as I comfort eat when low, particularly sweet foods. I was changed to insulin this year as I have throat cancer, it's been a hellish 6 months with chemo, radio and an admission to ITU with Sepsis, Pneumonia and respiratory failure. I'm now on a long lasting - Tresiba and a short lasting insulin and have only in the last couple of months started eating again as the treatment, particularly Radio on my throat caused awful mouth pain and long lasting ulcers in my mouth and throat. I still have some swelling and ulcers but they are much better and I can eat most things now. However, my taste has completely changed, I can't face eating a meal and mostly want snacks. I was on Fortisip when not eating which is very high in sugar. I feel like I'm back in the bad place of wanting to snack constantly, despite not being hungry and am constantly having to give extra insulin to manage my snacks. I feel at my wits end with it. I have had eating problems for years. Now I have a Libre it is really easy to measure my diabetes.
I really want to be kind to my body and eat good food but it's so hard, especially if I am on my own. Depression after the changes in life can't help either as I was working as a nurse and finished due to health. Apologies for the essay - I'm going to take the dog for a walk now and see if it re sets my day for me

I know a couple of people who have had mouth/throat cancer and the treatment affected the salivary glands so they found eating things that were quite dry difficult and would always need to have a drink when eating.
There was a swallowing clinic offered at their local hospital which helped I think.

 

[Dinah Dyer]

Can you make a meal, then split it into little portions, and freeze some of them. So make soup, and put that into portions, or stew or whatever you can cope with eating.
Like Trophywench says, you don't have to have massive meals. If smaller meals are easier, then go with them. If you have a number of portions defrosted for the day, with a bit of variety and fresh stuff mixed in, so have something like scrambled egg for breakfast, soup as a mid morning snack, a light lunch of stew, mid afternoon snack of dips and chopped veg, and a little portions of yogurt with a few raspberries/strawberries? Or whatever you like to eat.
Also, ask if you can get a referral to a dietician if the diabetes nurse can do that when you see them. You may be able to get ideas from them too.
Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Sarah, that is a good idea. The problem I have is after treatment I just can't eat savoury foods at the moment, keep trying but I feel so sick. I think all my taste buds have been affected by the treatment as I was so harsh on my mouth. I may try some cheese and onion quiche today, that has good nutrients in it. The pots of yoghurt and fruit are much more acceptable to my taste buds. And having ready chopped veg would be a really good idea. Thank you so much

 

[Dinah Dyer]

Low mood is so difficult, and completely understandable with the complex medical issues you've had to face. Snack wise: cheese or nuts on a daily basis, occasional fun size treats when you've had a really bad day? A good light treat for me is strawberries and chopped nuts in double cream...not particularly slimming but quite light on the carbs. Best of luck @Dinah Dyer

I really like these suggestions, bought some cheese with cranberry yesterday and the

Low mood is so difficult, and completely understandable with the complex medical issues you've had to face. Snack wise: cheese or nuts on a daily basis, occasional fun size treats when you've had a really bad day? A good light treat for me is strawberries and chopped nuts in double cream...not particularly slimming but quite light on the carbs. Best of luck @Dinah Dyer

Thank you . Some great suggestions for me. I bought some different cheeses to try including the cranberry one yesterday. I love the idea if the straw, nuts, double cream and those mini treat bars, thank you

 

[Dinah Dyer]

I'm not surprised you're depressed given all the issues you've had to deal with. Are you the sort of person that would go for counselling? You can get it for free at the GP. I've been plenty of times and have found it beneficial. Just an idea, but it sounds like you need some decent support after everything that's happened.

I'm sure you know that if you're depressed, everything becomes harder.

Best of luck and {hugs} 🙂
Steve

Thank you Steve, I have just started having it with a counsellor at the support centre I am volunteering at and he is amazing, had my 2nd one on Weds and think it will be a life changer thanks for your kind words x

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Sarah, that is a good idea. The problem I have is after treatment I just can't eat savoury foods at the moment, keep trying but I feel so sick. I think all my taste buds have been affected by the treatment as I was so harsh on my mouth. I may try some cheese and onion quiche today, that has good nutrients in it. The pots of yoghurt and fruit are much more acceptable to my taste buds. And having ready chopped veg would be a really good idea. Thank you so much

You might find the Arla or ALDI high protein yoghurts or Kvarg deserts good as they are low carb, low fat and high protein. What about stewed rhubarb and cream or sugarfree jelly with berries.
Have a look at the sugarfreelondoner web site as there may be things on there you fancy.

 

[Dinah Dyer]

H

Hi Dinah Dyer, welcome to the forum.

Really sorry to hear about all that you're going through at the moment, it's no wonder you feel as you do.

I think it sounds like a good idea for you to eat smaller meals if that helps.

We eat 'unhealthy' foods when we feel low due to the impact it has on our mood related hormones, is there anything you can do that doesn't involve food but lifts your mood? Could be a hobby, journaling, music, youtube or anything that you enjoy. Combining that with a healthy snack may be more fulfilling.

I Cherrelle, thanks for your message and insight. I'm getting involved in a cancer support centre who are amazing and am volunteering there. I have started some counselling and reflexology too which is brilliant. I was having a really low day on Tuesday but a bit better now. Thank you

 

[Dinah Dyer]

Hello, and sorry to hear about all the issues you have going on.

Just wondered if the centre where you had cancer treatment has a late effects clinic? I work in radiotherapy and head and neck treatment is really tough, and the after effects too. My dept has some MacMillan trained staff offering advice on life after treatment, might be worth asking.

All the best x

That is so lovely, I have been speaking to my head and neck cancer nurse but didn't think of this. I will speak to the centre and see. I had no idea how bad my mouth would be and although it's a million times better my taste buds have completely changed and I can't face savoury foods or alcohol - yikes. I have started eating cheese and tomato sandwiches now so changing daily . Thanks so much

 

[Dinah Dyer]

I know a couple of people who have had mouth/throat cancer and the treatment affected the salivary glands so they found eating things that were quite dry difficult and would always need to have a drink when eating.
There was a swallowing clinic offered at their local hospital which helped I think.

Hi and many thanks, I didn't think of that. Yes swallowing can be an issue and I don't want anything hard, not even a biscuit so it must be bad. Yes, me and my water bottle and sugar free sweets are pals for life. Very many thanks for your suggestions

 

[Dinah Dyer]

You might find the Arla or ALDI high protein yoghurts or Kvarg deserts good as they are low carb, low fat and high protein. What about stewed rhubarb and cream or sugarfree jelly with berries.
Have a look at the sugarfreelondoner web site as there may be things on there you fancy.

I love Aldi hight protein yoghurt. I think I eat more yoghurt a day than anything, Greek, Bio Live, High Protein. I often mix them together. Going to make a small apricot crumble tomorrow and see how that goes. I do make a weekly healthy banana loaf with loads of walnuts and no added sugar.
Carb counting course on Tuesday, I know I'm eating too many but I will get there . Thanks, it's lovely to chat to people who understand x

 

[picitup]

Thank you Steve, I have just started having it with a counsellor at the support centre I am volunteering at and he is amazing, had my 2nd one on Weds and think it will be a life changer thanks for your kind words x

Hi Dina

In that case I think you are doing the exact right thing and it's great you've found someone you can relate to. It will just be a matter of time now before you feel like your old self again. Best of luck! 🙂

Steve X