All I want to do is eat

momof3kidz

Once my surgery was finally scheduled last week (its for October 30th), I became more withdrawn, sad, angry, depressed.  And all I seem to want to do is sit on the couch and eat everything I can think of.  I can't keep doing this or I will be a whale, which will depress me in ADDITION to the BC.  Any words of advice or anybody who dealt with the diagnosis the same way? 

I wish I was one of those women who exercised crazily to relieve stress, but I am lazier than ever.  HELP

Panchoandlefty

A dirty little secret...

A lot of people gain a lot of weight during BC treatment. It is very, very common. Some can blame chemo steroids, some hormonal therapy, some stress...

This may not be a popular thing to say, but the reality check is that one of the few KNOWN risk factors for recurrence is weight gain. Gaining weight, particularly if you are postmenopausal, it is a bad, bad thing.

And once you start hormonal therapy, it will become harder to loose.  

And, people around you, even those you can usually count on to rein you in, are going to feel too sympathetic to tell you to get a grip. Most think of a cancer patient as frail and losing weight, so they may either think it is healthy that you're eating or they figure you'll deal with it later.   

Personally, I have a horrible, horrible "relationship with food." It is a hard thing for me... I'm not saying this from some natural-health nut point-of-view. It is a daily struggle for me. I've tried to cut out sugar and avoid the types of foods with which I seem to loose control. I try to be active, as that seems to help with the type of stress that leads to compulsive eating.

Take care. You are not alone.

Stephanie 

Panchoandlefty

A dirty little secret...

A lot of people gain a lot of weight during BC treatment. It is very, very common. Some can blame chemo steroids, some hormonal therapy, some stress...

This may not be a popular thing to say, but the reality check is that one of the few KNOWN risk factors for recurrence is weight gain. Gaining weight, particularly if you are postmenopausal, it is a bad, bad thing.

And once you start hormonal therapy, it will become harder to loose.  

And, people around you, even those you can usually count on to rein you in, are going to feel too sympathetic to tell you to get a grip. Most think of a cancer patient as frail and losing weight, so they may either think it is healthy that you're eating or they figure you'll deal with it later.   

Personally, I have a horrible, horrible "relationship with food." It is a hard thing for me... I'm not saying this from some natural-health nut point-of-view. It is a daily struggle for me. I've tried to cut out sugar and avoid the types of foods with which I seem to loose control. I try to be active, as that seems to help with the type of stress that leads to compulsive eating.

You don't have to work-out like a nut. Just next time you feel like downing a pint of ice cream drink a cup of water first.  Take a walk around the block...  Try to stay busy. 

Take care. You are not alone.

Stephanie 

C130sunshine

Stephanie is correct.  You will notice people will try to "shower" you with sympathy.  Since starting Chemo I had gained around 15 pounds (just finished my last chemo treatment and waiting to start radiation), even though I watched what I ate.  While on chemo I also did not want to get moving....I have now joined a walking group. 

It is very important especially after treatment that you maintain a healthy weight.  It is even more important if you are ER+...the body stores estrogen in fat. 

You have a right to be angry.....but don't let it overpower you.  You are NOT alone.....we will help you get through this.  What helped me was to get as much knowlegde as I could on BC.  There are several good books and communities have support groups.  Also don't be afraid to ask to talk to a social worker or some one in mental health.

kim