To eat or not to eat...before infusion

[Ashlee H.]

I think the ONC gave me steroids during my first chemo. But I must have complained about something, because he took me off them, and I've never had them again. Infusion nurses said this is unusual. I still have to work, and will take a few days off for chemo, allowing me to sleep for 5 days if I want to. Maybe that is why the ONC removed them - knew I couldn't have a bad crash a few days into it and continue to work my job.

[lala69]

I fast for 40 hours before chemo and then eat only a very light snack (<100 cal) the 2 days that I'm on the pump. I have done this for my last 9 chemo sessions. I told my oncologist and 2 liver surgeons, since I don't wont to compromise the rest of my body, and they are ok with it (although not encouraging it).
I do it because otherwise I don't think i can take the chemo. My first round of chemo after colon resection was horrible, I thought I would die. I was not fasting them although I knew about the research. I even contacted the PI of the group doing the research and he kindly replied back with instructions on the fasting. I finally decided not to fast at that time because I was underweight.

When I was diagnosed with mets I decided to try the fasting, and it has been much easier since. I recover well from the chemo rounds. I am still underweight (guess is becoming my normal), so it was a difficult decision. But giving my terrible experience with the first chemo round, I will be even more underweight if I don't fast. Now at least I am able to keep my weight more or less stable from chemo to chemo session. Lose a little during the fasting and then gain it back since my appetite, smell and taste stays good.

I would recommend anybody starting the fasting to do it slowly, as in only a few hours to start with and then increase it. The first time was really difficult, so I ended up having a snack. And obviously, talk to your doctors first about it!

Clinical trials are going on at the moment and recruting, here is the one at Mayo Clinic:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01175837

[Kathryn in MN]

I would suggesting eating smaller amounts. If he doesn't want to eat prior to infusion, making up for a whole day of food after getting chemo is not a good thing... Have him try little portions rather than a large meal.

[lala69]

Hi again,
Just to clarify, I'm not recommending fasting. Since there are no finished studies yet, there is no way to tell how the majority of people will react to fasting, or how the different chemos work with it. I was just telling my case, and how it helps my particular situation.
Glad to read that Ashlee had also good results with it!!
cheers.

[Steve Marethyu]

Late in my treatment, I would start feeling sick about Wednesday evening before my Friday treatments. That meant I didn't eat much those final two days, but I did usually try to eat something. Once treatment started though I never ate. I remember a few times people had brought in cookies and once pizza and they sounded awful to me. I had a tough time with nausea, though, so following my plan is probably not smart! The idea of fasting kind of intrigues me. I wonder if that would have helped me.

[horizon]

If I didn't eat, I felt like poop all day at work! When I ate, I had the energy to continue with my normal schedule, and I was tolerable around other people! (go figure) The day's I didn't eat, I found it hard to go to work after treatment. It was more noticeable to my employer, as I spent more time away from my duties.
Regards,
Michael

I was the same way. I always ate a lunch before I had an infusion.