how do I make myself eat?

You might want to try using ginger tea to help your digestion. Do you have any stomach or intestinal issues? Those can make it hard to eat.

Otherwise, know that eating well is essential to your healing. Maybe take one spoonful at a time - don't think about what it tastes like if that's the issue, or if it's just not having a desire to eat - eat anyway - just be sure that it's healthy! That's what I had to do at one time - eat anyway.

I have been having eating issues these lasts months. I lost 14lbs in 3 months. My appetite is completely gone.

I make fresh soup: it's healthy, and it's light to digest. I can't digest raw vegetables, and the thought of drinking smoothies makes me nauseous most of the time. I don't get that feeling with soup.
I sometimes bake a couple of spelt bread loafs in olive oil with some salt to put in the soup. (you can also put a tiny bit of garlic or oregano on it) - I don't eat totally gluten free, I sometimes eat spelt bread.

I had issues with this during my first episode of symptoms in the summer and during the initial days of my second flare up. I don't know if mine was due directly to whatever is going on with me, or if it was nerves...I suspect a combo of both.

I had to make myself eat during those days. If I absolutely couldn't stomach something at the time, I would just wait until I eventually got hungry, which was usually in the evenings. With me, I would always get my appetite back at some point, for some reason it was typically at night. Until then I would snack on whatever sounded good, which wasn't always much!

Ginger and Peppermint are both good for nausea. Cinnamon is an appetite stimulant.

Also, sometimes homeopathy can help with nausea from gastroparesis (I have this too, and mine is really severe).

Homeopathic Nux V. helps with general nausea. This is homeopathy's "Pepto-Bismol" (can help with heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, etc.).

Homeopathic Ipecac (NOT the drug store syrup!!) helps with severe nausea with salivation.

Homeopathic Pulsatilla can help with nausea associated with hormone fluctuations (has helped me tremendously during my monthly cycle).

Homeopathic Bryonia can help with nausea that hits as soon as you wake up in the morning, worse from sitting up. When I had trouble with this, I kept it on the bedside table and took some before sitting up, then would wait for a few minutes before attempting to sit up. I only seemed to need it for a few days and then the morning nausea disappeared.

Homeopathic Aurum Arsenicum is supposed to help re-start the gut that has stopped working from Lyme/coinfections. I tried it. It helped my colon a whole ton, but not so much my stomach (but I may not have taken it for a long enough period of time or may not have had the correct potency).

Anti-nausea medications:

Antihistamines - Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Dramamine, etc. These are available over-the-counter.

Anti-nausea prescription medications:

Phenergan - antihistamine.

Ativan - anti-anxiety medication that also reduces nausea. It's addictive, so not a good option if you can avoid it.

Scopolamine - anti-motion sickness drug (skin patch).

Tigan - anti-nausea drug.

Compazine (prochlorperazine) - D2 receptor antagonist.

Reglan - Prokinetic (helps increase stomach emptying).

5-HT3 receptor antagonists - Zofran, etc.

I've been sick for almost a year and I have been pretty severe. When I first got sick I had zero appetite, then about a month later I got severe nausea in the morning but I could eat at night. Then severe nausea 24/7, looking at food made me want to vomit and severe dry heaving started every single morning. I would violently dry heave every morning for about 7 months. I lost 20 pounds.

I used to suck on peppermint and ginger candies to get me through. Some days I would just have a fresh smoothie at night, I think that saved me.

So I have lyme and mold. When I remediated my house late summer, alot of these issues became mild or were eliminated. Not everybody has mold issues but if you aren't getting better, it's something to consider.

I'm still pretty sick with a bunch of other symptoms but the nausea is mild or gone most days, and I can eat my 3 meals each day. My appetite is not like what it used to be, but now it comes and goes, which is better than none at all!!

I also take binders at bedtime. I've done mediclay fx and pescasol. I like them both.

I would love some recipes, Opugirl!

Hi Sayyadina. I recalled something I had read about meat allergies and tick borne illness. I wanted to share it to let you know that your peculiar problem may not be so peculiar considering you have Lyme.

blog.deerbusters.com/general-information/tick-can-trigger-red-meat-allergies/

Pirouette - can you use a protein powder for your morning meal? My new doc has me on a high protein diet for my adrenals to heal and she told me the same thing - yep! No eating breakfast for me then!! LOL!

Then I found this brown rice protein powder that is more than just tolerable. I've also seen them made with pea protein and my daughter told me that the brand she tried was pretty decent tasting. I can share whatever information you need if it will help you - or anyone else that's interested!

You might look into protein shakes. I have to use them for breakfasts, as I can only eat eggs so many days in a row and there aren't many other options for me either.

I use a brown rice protein shake, but there are ones with pea protein too - and who knows what else! If you wish to check into the brown rice one that I use, it's called Growing Naturals Brown Rice protein powder. I get the vanilla blast flavor and they are not overly sweetened with stevia. Just a thought for you.

Sorry Traveler—
I didn't see your post. I have been prescribed this medical powder by my doc. It worked fine for awhile. But now—it makes me nauseous just thinking about it. Luckily, I have had a little appetite come back and I'm subsisting on salads and chicken and hamburger patties. Not the best diet but at least I'm eating this week.

There is a FANTASTIC food powder by Garden of Life (organic, non-GMO, non-dairy, gluten-free, filled with enzymes and probiotics). They made it in a couple different flavors and I would make it with almond or coconut milk. But then I found out they had sourced the brown rice from China and there were hvy metal issues. I was so desperate for food I kept drinking it. But my hair was falling out at exponential speed. When I finally made the connection between the two I had to stop. When they get this resolved I will post about it again. I think it's a great food substitute.

Sayadina—
I buy my salmon from www.VitalChoice.com —a great resource that qualifies for all the "inspection" criteria regarding the safe sustainable wild sourcing (not farming) and hey metals levels, etc. It's expensive but I buy a couple dozen and it lasts me for 3-4 months—couple salmon meals per week. Hope you find some relief soon. GI problems safe so tough. Be sure to take in extra fluids.

-p

Just saw this thread, have not checked in for a while.. Looking at moving, add on to daughters house... I only weigh in at 97.5 lbs, it is scary. My skin hangs in folds and I look totally emaciated. I used to be 132 lbs and healthy before lyme. I just started a product yesterday called serious mass. It a whey powder and gives you 1250 calories per serving. Ok so I was off dairy products but now have thrown in that towel and even mix it with 3.25 percent milk.. Just got to get me some weight. Lots of people have offered me their excess lbs, but so far no one has delivered. Lol. I have to run up and down in the shower just to get wet..... Will be watching for any advice on how to gain weight.