Free energy drinks issued by the NHS
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
July 28, 2017 8:22am CST
Since my health began declining, so did my appetite. As a result my daily intake of sustenance is deemed to be inadequate. The consultant impressed on me the importance of eating properly during the period of chemotherapy in order to be able to physically cope with the attack on my system. Nevertheless, eating is still not very easy.
The support nurse who visited me at home suggested protein drinks, which are specifically designed for such a purpose. She even went to the trouble of contacting my doctor to request these. Yesterday I was issued 21 small bottles of Fresubin, protein energy drinks.
I have been issued with 3 flavours, consisting of vanilla, caramel and fruits of the forest. It came as quite a surprise to me that such items would be available on the NHS service, particularly considering that the retail cost would be somewhere around £60.
They are quite palatable and at one per day should last me for 3 weeks. One per day should be sufficient as an addition to the small amount of food that I am consuming.
22 people like this
23 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
28 Jul 17
So glad that these drinks are free for you and also that they taste okay too.
Mother also was issued something similar of protein drinks and she wasn't keen on them, but she drank them and they did indeed supply some good nourishment to her during chemo.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
28 Jul 17
@TiarasOceanView No, I had 3 consecutive days of chemotherapy, which should be repeated every 3 weeks.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
28 Jul 17
I remeber the loss of appetite thing and I, also had some of these protein drinks prescribed. I thought that the names they chose to go by were quite enough to put one off, though the taste is not too bad once you get used to it. I preferred the orange and lemon flavoured ones, myself.
I also read that Vitamin C is good for helping the immune system and the doctor didn't seem to think it would do any harm (though he was careful to point out that there was not really any positive evidence that it did help). Anyway, I found that those orange flavoured tablets which dissolve in water to make a fizzy drink were refreshing and surprisingly 'orangey'. I forget now how many I took but I think that it was about 3 times the RDA of Vitamin C. The doctor and nurses did comment that I recovered from the chemotherapy (and from the operation itself) remarkably quickly and well.
4 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
29 Jul 17
They look so inviting and you get them free
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jul 17
Exactly. I would have expected the nurse to recommend such a drink and expect me to buy them. At 1 bottle a day it would be about £20 per week. Instead she contacted my doctor directly and requested them, which were then issued to me free of charge.
I thought that a support nurse would call around for a chat and offer advice, but she has been a magnificent help to me.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jul 17
@allknowing It would be difficult not to be impressed with such a person.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
29 Jul 17
@Asylum You have a way with the nurses I see
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Jul 17
That sounds like a very helpful thing for you. What is 'fruits of the forest' flavor like?
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Jul 17
@Asylum Excellent! and free to boot!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Aug 17
They are giving so many of these drinks and other supplements to patients these days because so many people are malnourished. You are right about the cost it is going through the roof! But please heed what the Doctor said. You need to keep your strength up to cope with your treatment. If the weather is getting too hot you could always freeze them but not in the bottles as you won't get it out. Not only will it be refreshing but it will clean your palate too!
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
1 Aug 17
@garymarsh6 My appetite was, zero for a while, but now I can enjoy snacks throughout the day.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
1 Aug 17
@Asylum Good man. A little and often is the ticket! You won't want to face big dumpy meals!
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
30 Jul 17
The level of support offered by medical staff and home visitors has been well above expectations. I anticipated friendly chats and advice, but have received very practical assistance.
She even contacted the city council and arranged a disabled parking badge for me. This enables my brother to park closer to our destination when he takes me shopping etcetera, thus reducing the distance that I have to walk.
Not only has she pointed out many items that I was unaware that I would qualify for, but also made the applications on my behalf.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
30 Jul 17
@Shiva49 The same applies to me. I retired at the age of 65, after never having claimed unemployment benefit, sickness or any other form of benefits. Now I find myself receiving the rewards of all those years of income tax etcetera.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
30 Jul 17
@Asylum This makes me to recall an article one columnist wrote. He said he was based in France and was cursing the high tax he was paying. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and he too had treatments all free including support staff visiting his home for periodic follow up and to make sure he was on the road to assured recovery. He ended paying Euro 10 all in all for registration.
Wish half this attention is made available to those in some countries who are left in the lurch while the rich fly out for periodical medical check up - siva
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
28 Jul 17
Nice flavors, but no chocolate? These are a little easier to consume than meals. How nice they are provided!
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Aug 17
@Jeanniemaries I was not offered a chocolate one, but would probably prefer that.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
2 Aug 17
@Asylum I would imagine it does, as well as other flavors. This is a blessing. My husband liked a similar drink in chocolate that we have here.
1 person likes this
@manikarnika (3222)
• India
29 Jul 17
Yeah...That's really sounds pretty good to hear 
.Hope you will be get well soon.Take care
.Hope you will be get well soon.Take care1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Jul 17
@manikarnika During my first meeting with the consultant I made it quite clear that I preferred the truth rather than false hopes or platitudes. She kindly consented and gave me her realistic opinion.
One factor was that my cancer is not curable, simply controllable. I value this honesty because otherwise if the cancer was subdued adequately, I would have been mortified to discover that it has returned. At least now that I am aware of this I am more mentally equipped to deal with it.
@manikarnika (3222)
• India
29 Jul 17
@Asylum oh ok.But everyday say " l am happy, healthy now and always". I saw in TV show, a lady suffered from cancer was really cured by having positive hope
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
29 Jul 17
Always nice when something you thought you had to pay for is Free or major discounted
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
29 Jul 17
Those sound pretty good. The flavors of supplement drinks here in the US tend to be vanilla, chocolate and strawberry (artificial tasting). Comparatively yours sound delish.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170025)
• United States
29 Jul 17
I am glad you posted. I was wondering how you were doing. I am glad you found something that will work for you. I am sure it is difficult to keep much food down.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
30 Jul 17
No clue what the drinks you mention are or what they contain @Asylum
The ones offered here should be banned! They are not nutritionally sound, but the ones that are actually 'good' for a humans are not offered and would be too expensive for the average patient.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Aug 17
@PatZAnthony It will be on the bottle, although I have not read it.
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
2 Aug 17
@Asylum No, those are not cheap. Do they let you be aware of the ingredients there?
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
28 Jul 17
They sound good. Sometimes those kinds of drinks are nasty.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
28 Jul 17
If they had proven to be rather I'll tasting I would still have found them to be useful because drinking 200 ml of liquid would not be difficult and would serve a purpose. The fact that they are quite palatable is definitely a bonus.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
28 Jul 17
Yes you HAVE to eat to make it. These is what I used with Tony his was called ensure, but its the same as what you have different brand is all. However I paid for his.
Next week Tony gets another treatment with Ocdivo.
Even if its just a handful of peanuts and a small bad of potato chips, please eat!
1 person likes this
