Giving up the elemental diet

I've been on it for two weeks and I'm not sure I can take it another day, let alone another 4 weeks. I'm finding it increasingly hard to drink the Elemental 028. I was originally put on 9 cartons at day, but have only managed 7 a day. Except that I'm not sure I can manage that much any more. I had a carton just now that was so disgusting I couldn't finish it.

Trouble is, calories. Where do I get them from? At the moment, nowhere except the E028. Thinking of asking the dietitian if I can switch to Fortisip.

I'm tired and hungry. My brother - who I haven't seen for four years - is staying with us for a fortnight and I can't really enjoy his visit.

God forbid, but if ever I had to do an elemental diet again I would not drink it for all the tea in China. Next time I would request the tube and if they wouldn't give it to me, I wouldn't do the diet.

By the way, I think I'm flaring up slightly. The low grade fevers have returned in the evenings and last night I had bad pain for about an hour or so, resembling low-level blockage pain. Seems absurd I could have blockages on this diet, but if I'm producing stool (which I am, albeit liquid), I suppose it's possible...

Don't give up NCoT. It's mind over matter :)

From what I can find out, the Elemental 028 has 215 cals (so obviously on 7 day you aren't getting enough calories)
The fortisip is giving you 300 cals per drink but I don't know if it is suitable for total food replacement.
If you are struggling then you could either ask to change to a different brand, some brands have a much lesser liquid volume, and some come in a pot(almost like a yogurt or mousse type consistency)
If that doesn't appeal then ask for a tube-that was the one thing ds really didn't want to have so he took his drinks :)

You can do this

NCOT, sorry that you can't tolerate the elemental diet. Hope the dietician gives you good advice.
Take care!

Thank you, gumby and ivy.

It's hard, so so so so so so so so much harder than a liquid diet where you can have soup, milk etc. I find myself craving food ridiculously strongly, to the point I'm finding it almost impossible to resist. Then in the evenings I'm getting the fevers again. (38.4C now.) The motivation to carry on is dwindling by the day, but I won't just chuck it in without speaking to the dietitian and my nurse first. (Which reminds me: you have mail, Ivy :p)

The only bloody upside to all this is that I'm at least discovering new types of tea.... >_>

I think they're a sign of hunger!!

Oh dear god, the pasta and prawn dish that my mum made today... >_<

Go on, I'd be interested in hearing tales of your nutty food behaviour :p