Two questions

Nancy2581

Ok what's going on? I finished chemo Dec 30 of last year. I am now on tamoxifen. I have gained about 10 lbs in 8 months. I have never gained this much weight this fast my entire life. I don't believe it's the tamoxifen. Does chemotherapy slow down your metabolism? I eat the same as I did before diagnosis which was decent - could be better. Chemo pushed me into menopause and of course I stopped the pill when diagnosed. I am frustrated. I walk twice a day every day. One hour in the morning and another half hour in the afternoon. Not happy.

Also a question on tumor markers. My onc checks them every three months. Usually my CA 27.29 is 10 or 12. In Sept. it was less than 3.5. Yesterday it was 19. It's never been 19 and I know it's still considered in the normal range, but the fact it jumped to 19 is bugging me. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Nancy

mdg

I have been on tamoxifen 4 years and have gained a ton of weight. Chemo also put me in menopause. I can't shake the weight at all. So frustrating. I am weighing what I weighed when I was 6 or 7 months pregnant with my son! Ugh!

Nancy2581

mdg I am reading studies done with tamoxifen show women don't really gain weight because of it or so they say. I am reading however, that chemo slows your metabolism and then menopause on top of that I'm sure is causing us to gain. It's really upsetting.

Nancy

ElaineTherese

Nancy!

I'm on aromasin, not tamoxifen, but I've regained the ten pounds I lost during chemo. I think it's related to the fact that I'm struggling to sleep and I end up eating more when I'm tired. I do believe that the Aromasin is making my insomnia worse, but I can't really complain of other SEs, so I'll just find a way of dealing I guess. Hope everything else is going OK for you!

Nancy2581

hi Elaine so good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. Yes I also lost 10 when I was diagnosed. I've gained it all back and I'm worried it's going to keep going up. I sleep just fine so I can't blame it on that. So annoying. Looks like I'll have to starve myself to keep the weight off ugh!!

ElaineTherese

Doing OK, Nancy. Just had my last Herceptin infusion last week. Just had my last heart scan (for awhile). I'm FINALLY finished with active treatment!!! Now, I only have to see MO once every three months! Maybe, I'll finally schedule that visit with my eye doctor so I can get some new bifocals.