Anybody REALLY lose weight on Tamoxifen?

bookgirl

I am at my six week of Tamoxifen, so far pretty happy, some minor aches but that seems to be it. I find I am losing some weight, maybe 6 lbs, I really needed to drop (quite) a few. I was walking but stopped when I got a flu bug, and my blood pressure meds changed to include a diuretic within the last month. Of course my cancer paranoia has me worried about the weight loss. Anybody else drop weight after starting Tam? I am one of the high metabolizers for the drug. Thanks

RobinIAH

I have been on Tamoxifen since May 2007.  I lost about 6 pounds in the first few months.  I never gained it back. 

bookgirl

Thank you! the rational part of my brain is saying YA HOO! It's hard to get the worry about everything side to shut up and go to sleep. Take care

gomesmom

Hi,

I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 months and half. I have lost around 7 pounds. I just talked to my oncologist's nurse. She kept saying Tamoxifen's side effect is weight gain not weight loss, but I strongly believe the weight loss is from Tamoxifen. Plus, weight loss is mentioned as side effect on the information sheet that comes with the bottle of Tamoxifen.

bookgirl

"Tamoxifen can also cause nausea, constipation, weight loss, fatigue and headaches." this is from LIVESTRONG.Com I do find the loss mentioned else where. Normally I would be jumping for joy as the scale goes down. But this is my cancerversery month 1 year post DX and I am feeling a bit nervous!

neogirl

I have been on Tamoxifen for 8 weeks now and have lost 10 pounds so far.  I haven't exercised at all but I have less of an appettite than I did have b4 the tamoxifen. I'm not complaining though cause I could stand to lose another 10 pounds. 

Kleenex

I have been on Tamoxifen for 9 months, and weigh basically the exact amount I did when I started. I suppose if I listened to my body and ate less - smaller, less-fatty meals seem to cause fewer hot flashes - I might lose weight... Metabolism is definitely different, though, and not in a good way.

frustratedrg

I am  a small framed person.  Always thin, never gained weight.  But, I gained 10 lbs over the 5 years I was on Tamoxifen.  When I got off it, I lost most of the weight.  I couldnt lose any while on Tamoxifen.

Member_of_the_Club

Four and a half years on tamoxifen and I weigh 10 pounds less than when I went on.

Mai605

This is the best news I've heard in awhile!  I JUST started two days ago and have been terrified to start because of all the se's I've been hearing about. I gained about 20 lbs. since dx, have lost 10 (sloooooooowly), and need to lose more.  If I lose weight, GREAT, as long as I don't gain!

I need to ask a dumb question though if I could, how do you know if you're a "high metabolizer"?  This is the 2nd time I've heard that today and never heard anything about it from my doc.

Thank you in advance for any resonses..

Blessings!

AnneW

I was only on Tamoxifen for 7 weeks due to cognitive issues, but during that time I melted away over 15 pounds. My oncologist was shocked. Needless to say, it all came back (and then some!) when I had the ovaries out and started AIs.

Anne

lexislove

I would love to have some of this weight loss Tamoxifen...hook a sista up!!!!

inspiewriter

Also gained about 15 pounds, and hope to lose it now that I'm off.

flfish

I am not so lucky, I have gained about 8 pounds in the last year and a half on Tamox.....just another joyful side effect!

Anonymous

For 4.5 years on tamoxifen I couldn't lose any weight despite all my efforts at diet and exercise (so of course I blamed the tamox); but then I joined Weight Watchers and lost 12.5 pounds---for me, it was all about portion control. But then I went off of tamox (finished my 5 years) and the weight has steadily crept back on again. So I can't blame tamox for my weight issues--my metabolism has slowed way down due to lack of estrogen (from total hysterectomy); it's very frustrating as I am still exercising and following WW diligently.

anne

Ainm

As I am quite overweight I was really nervous about putting on weight when I started Tamox at the end of July 09. So I started being careful about what I eat, lots of fruit and veg and smaller portions of all the 'nice' stuff - lol!!  I also try to do a little exercise every day - and I am not an exercise lover so I usually just do some Wii Fit.  Well I've lost 28lbs since I started Tamox!!  I can't say that it was without effort - I have to stay very motivated and that isn't always easy - but I have really surprised myself as I have always found it hard to stick to eating 'properly' - portion control would be a big one for me - I like big feeds!!  Anyway - if you stay conscious of what you are eating and do a little exercise I'm sure you will continue to lose weight and do fine on Tamox. Good Luck!!

jancie

I am hoping I lose weight on Tamoxifen - that I will be one of the lucky ones!

I do know that my appetite has decreased since I finished rads so I am eating less - not any healthier but at least I don't feel ravenous all of the time.

Ainm - wow 28 lbs!!   That is awesome!

Annie62

I gained about 20 lbs after treatment finished. I don't blame tamoxifen but rather the fact that I was slammed into menopause with the accompanying metabolism slow down. And didn't have the energy for exercise etc.  

Finally got my act together - started walking and built up to more exercise. Joined My Food Diary to track my food and calories. Dropped 17 lbs. Have 10 to go. And I did my first sprint distance triathalon in Sept 09. BTW I'm 45 , work FT, commute 3 hrs  per day and have a young child. It's been very difficult to lose weight but it can be done. Slow and steady.

The 17 lbs took over a year. Hopefully the last 10 won't take quite that long. Oh and I switched from Tamox to Aromasin during that time and after a brief small weight gain, started losing again. 

 Annie 

Jadalulu

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would share my experience. I too have experienced loss of appetite, and weight loss since starting tamoxifen 6 weeks ago. I have lost nearly 15 lbs since my BMX on 1/4/18. I literally have to force myself to eat because I am rarely hungry. I needed to lose a few pounds so I am not complaining, just really surprised that this is the only side effect that I have experienced!