Weight Gain?

gonnabstrong

I know this might sound vein of me, but does BC treatments cause weight gain more often than not? This past year and a half I worked hard to lose almost 60 lbs and am finally down to where I have always wanted to be.  Now I am not only am worried about BC but the effects its going to have on me.

bennetts1

Hate to say it, but I gained 20 pounds while I was on chemo.  I contribute it to the large doses of steroids that I had to take during my treatments.  Currently, I am taking medication that causes weight gain.  My DH tells me weight gain is a lot better than cancer!!!!! 

gonnabstrong

Bennetts1, that is true weight gain is better than cancer. What meds are you on that cause weight gain?

NatsFan

I'd just lost 55 pounds before diagnosis - gained 20 back with chemo and Femara.  Not everyone gains weight, and some people even lose.  Oh well.  It's a small price to pay to be alive.

bennetts1

Decodron while on chemo and AI's now...Arimidex but fixing to change to Aromosin.  It is a very small price to pay to be alive!  I lost 15 pounds but went on a cruise and gained half of it back....but had fun gaining it!!!!!

LRM216

I was worried about that as well upon my diagnose and protocol set up as I seriously decided to finally lose the 40 lbs I accumulated prior to my diagnose and WHAM - got cancer and onc said not to try to lose anything during treatment, but instead (especially since I'm triple neg) to concentrate on losing it after all my treatment.  I have one Taxotere left (did 4 DD AC's every two weeks and 3 of 4 DD Taxotere every three weeks and I've only gained 2 lbs, which I lose, then gain back, etc.  I am not dieting although eating throughout the Taxotere is absolutely dreadful as everything tastes disgusting - even water.  After rads, I am going with a vengence to walk my original 40 lbs off - come hell or high water.

Linda 

LizzyGirl15

Well...I gained 30 pounds. It sucks but I'm on 3 medications that causes weight gain. You are not sure how you are going to feel and eating might be difficult so the rule of thumb is to eat what you can so you can stay strong. Chemo kickes your butt. I just finished 16 treatments over 5 months and there are many other side effects that are going to be much more painful! Just focus on what you feel is best keep on your chemo schedule! It is most effective!

TexasRose

I was so worried about weight gain also. I have actually maintained although it's been up and down. I lost about 7 pounds while doing DD AC. Now I am doing 12 weekly Taxol and just had #6 on Tuesday. I have gained the weight back from AC, but eating isn't all that fun now because everything tastes awful. The only steroids I have ever gotten was during the infusion and I think that helps a lot. Anyway, it's been up and down but my weight today is the same as the day I started chemo. As soon as I am finished with chemo, I am headed back to Weight Watchers. I'd like to lose 15 to 20 pounds. My onc also told me not to try and lose weight during chemo and to eat whatever I could.  

London-Virginia

I'm dong chemo right now.  My weight is steady.

Can you start doing the 10,000 steps per day (you need a pedometer).  This keeps your weight down and also makes you feel a bunch better in general.  Start off low - say 2500 steps per day and work up.  You'll be please to find it really doable, just takes a while to get going.

For tracking what I eat, I use www.fitday.com (it is free).

It wouldn't be good to actually diet during all this stress, but there is nothing wrong with adjusting some of what you eat.  Using something like fitday gives some great info on things that turn out to be rather more fattening than one would have anticipated.  IT is a good tool; of course there are others.

Water does tatse awful doesn't it!  I usually drink gallons but am mainly drinking low cal ginger ale presently and managing to keep hydrated.

Good luck all~!

maryannecb

I gained 20 pounds...from the drugs and eating all those gift baskets...and making yummy meals b/c I was home d...during chemo. Only took 4 months to lose it ...and today weigh exactly what i weighed prior to treatment.  I wouldn't obsess too much about it..be kind to yourself.

gonnabstrong

I can't thank you all enough for your replies. This has truly helped me a great deal.