Lack of appetite 9 months post treatment

My husband is not that far out of treatment but he never, ever, ever experiences hunger anymore.  We tried Marinol to increase his appetite.  No impact for him.  He is not a candidate for the other appetite stimulants.  It makes the return to eating very difficult.  Good luck with your journey.  Sadly, I do not know what the answer is.  I don't think my husband would eat at all if he wasn't on a schedule.  

My husband was treated for stage IV tonsil cancer 2 years ago. For at least 6 montsh after treatment he ate because he knew he should. He didn't have any appetite, very little saliva and nothing tasted good.He would weigh himself everyday to make sure he was getting enough calories and not continue to lose weight.  But, very, very slowly, he started to regain his appetite, his saliva began to return and things started to taste better. Now, two years later, his saliva is about 70% of what it was. The back of his throat still feels drier. Sips of water during the day, sugarless gum and Xylimelts at night help. Taste has not recovered quite as much. He figures he has 50% of his former taste. But, he does enjoy most foods now. Things don't taste the same, but they don't taste bad, like they did right after treatment. Both of these things have helped with appetite. When everything is dry, hard to swallow and tastes bad it's hard to work up an appetite. His appetite slowly improved, as taste and saliva did, after the initial 6 months or so. It was well over a year before I ever heard my husband actually say he was hungry. He didn't take any medications to improve his appetite, time continues to be the real treatment for him. Best of luck.

Five months post here.  Now have full range of tastes, with some unpredictable drymouth.  Marijuna worked better for my daughter than it did for me (no, she did not have cancer).  We're in Colorado so it's stocked (by her) in my med cabinet.  I am starting to experience appitite, but it's not motivating - it doesn't drive me to the kitchen.  I can eat most things, but alcohol, and any salsa past mild is out.  That is sad, because I have a lovingly assembled wine cellar. 

My diet is mostly driven by an awareness that if I don't get in at least 2,500 calories a day I will start paying with a health downturn in about 3 days.  That's empirical, based on direct observation back early in month four.   So, I count calories, and drink the dreaded nutition shake at bed time if I'm going to be under.  I lost +40 lbs during treatment and was determined I was not going to gain it back.  That turned out to be a dumb idea.

I have been so worried about not being hungry,or not haveing a appetite Ive made myself sick.I went to my regular doctor yesterday and she subscibed me marinol.When i went to get it I could not afford it as it was almost 300 dollars.From what i read it would be throwing my money away and it sounds like time is what its going to take.I have learned so much from all the responces ,I just need to put the information to work.Thanks to everyone for thier input as exsperence is more informative.         Dennis 

I am 7 months out of treatment and still have a heck of time finding edible foods. Steak medium rare and eggs are 90% of my meal plan. I can do steamed veggies every now and then. Absolutely no fruit. I was an exercise buff and fruit and nuts were my main stays. I am still searching for the new normal. And I don't like it so far. So tired of milk and water. I was offered the weed pills but since I work in health care and can have a random test at anytime I chose not to try it. I actually got up one morning about 3 months out and swooped all my pills and potions into the garbage and have been feeling better ever since. Yes eating is still a challenge but its all worth the ride in the big picture.