Chemo and Diet

boobbuster

Is it acceptable to diet while on chemo? I'v gained about 30 lbs since starting it. I'm on 4 weeks and then off 2 weeks. I walk a mile a day and watch my intake but I haven't lost anything! What the &*(&*(& is going on? I don't take steriods either. I'm confused. Is there something in the chemo that stops metabolism in your body? I'm going on vacation and can't fit in any clothes. Well... I can fit them but the buttons are going to pop off if i breath or sit down. HELP.... Is it me or are there other women out there who've had this problem. God is able, Stephanie

PookieBear

I gained weight during chemo and rads. I was told I shouldn't be trying to lose any weight until I was done.
I gained between 15-20 lbs last year. Haven't been able to lose it at all. I am trying to eat healthier and get back into exercising everyday. I worked out with a personal trainer for 12 weeks and lost not one pound. I think I am now flabbier than I was. All my weight gain has gone directly to my stomach area. My doctor said I would probably have a hard time losing now because of being on Tamoxifen and it causing early menopause. I guess you just have to keep on trying...
Good luck to you!

KariLynn

I'd check with your onc and see what he/she has to say.

boobbuster

Today I was standing in line to check out veggies for my Saturday dinner, when (Let's call him John) walks up behind me and says, "Stephanie?". I turn around and it John who I was dating when I was dx. We'd only been out 2 or three times so it was clearly still new. Anyway, We huged and while he was still hugging me, he say, "Girl, you've gotten BIG!!! I wanted to kick him in the groin but I would have dropped my groceries. What a D@#K! Needless to say I cried all the way home. Then... It gets better.... My mother came back and brought me a slimmer girdle! I guess it's official, I'm not a size 4 anymore... I'm FAT with breast cancer now.... when I mention it to my friends, they say things like, "you should just be happy you're alive". I'm not unthankful don't get me wrong, but I'm still a woman. OK... I've vented... and I still feel fat but not as mad. God is able, Stephanie

jasmine

Stephanie -- I feel your pain. I gained 20 lbs on chemo and have tried to lose it to no avail. Its all in my abdomen too. I am now walking on the treadmills at the community center 3 times a week and on a WW low fat diet with 20 points a day and still can't lose. I'm tired of being told I'm overeating or not exercising enough. And I'm not on the post treatment hormone blockers either. Before chemo, I had no trouble maintain my weight, now I can't seem to get any control. Part of it may be early chemo/menopause for me too but still.... I miss being slim and trim and being able to wear some halfway decent clothes. Now I look like a short bag lady whose been finding oversize clothing at the dust bins.

mccarroll

Stephanie, I'm so sorry for the horrible things people are saying! At least we just lost a boob, they can't afford to loose anymore of their brains!

I gained 20-25 pounds during Taxol and it is still hanging on thru herceptin. I think I've lost about 15 pounds (bought new scales and gained 8-10 pounds immediately!) but all the weight is right around my middle. Causes dunlopped disease so my jeans look horrible. I'm doing the Low carb thing and see small changes. Also walking 3 - 4 times a week.

I really know how you feel. I was so tired of being the fat, bald aunt/friend/daugher etc at all the outings. Okay, I'm not bald anymore but I have a little boy's haircut and I'm still fat!

Hugs, Karen

KariLynn

I think I would have sacrificed the groceries for the knee!!!

Are you drinking a lot of water (and not anything caloric?) I know I drank my way to fat (pepsi) and water and weight watchers helped get a lot of it off. Your body could be accustomed to your mile walk, do you try doing some "interval" walking with some very brisk then normal then brisk again? Or maybe hills or stairs?

It's hard to find good exercise to do when you're on chemo IMO. With the bald head, I hate to go to the gym - am pretty much stuck at home on the bike. I did hear on the radio tonight to try to do it in the AM, will get improved metabolism for the day.

Have fun on vacation!
Kari

Lisa40

Steph, I gained 30 lbs. when I started chemo last July. Then when I did WBR I gained another 30 pounds due to steroids. I know look like a chipmunk. I did lose 6 lbs. when I was in the hospital but it isn't noticeable. I finally broke down and went shopping and bought some clothes that fit. I used to find myself looking at boobs now I find myself looking at overweight women. I guess it is all relative. I too am not over eating and am trying to exercise....I've heard what Kari wrote is true, that it is better to exercise in the morning. Maybe I'll start tomorrow LT

boobbuster

If there were a breast cancer referee, she'd call weight gain and clear and blatant foul. : ) God is able, Stephanie

Bugs

Amen to that!! I've even started jogging, for Pete's sake. JOGGING. I'm blaming menopause for my very slow weight loss. VERY slow. I also blew up on Taxol, HUGE.

I'm with Kari...a knee to the groin would have been worth the bruised carrots.

Take care,
Bugs

Dansmom

AARRGGG  you mean on top of all of this you gain weight?  That's it, i am not going to have breast cancer any more!