Horrible weight gain

tobyholic

Oh my gosh........I'm sitting here crying my eyes out and I should be happy to at least be alive. What is causing this weight gain? I have been off chemo for 2 1/2 years and have already gained 25-30 pounds. My joints hurt, I can't sleep and this weight gain is just putting me over the edge. I feel terrible and I'm not happy. I thought losing my hair was bad, but its this weight. Does anyone have any advice or are going through the same thing

Nancy2581

Hi tobyholic. I understand what you're feeling. I am 2 years and 3 months post chemo. I have steadily gained weight and finally figured out it was Lexapro. I cut my dosage in half back in January and haven't gained anymore weight (haven't lost any either, but I'll take that). Are you taking any antidepressants? Just a thought

Nancy

Also chemo threw me into menopause and that's not helping either

molliefish

hormone therapy can cause early menopause like symptoms. Once you start to have less estrogen expressed by the ovaries and more by the other organs fat stars to form in the abdominal area and it is harder to control weight gain. I noticed this also and it has taken a pretty significant change in diet and increase (and consistent) exercise to get it stooped and star reversing it. i recommend a beginner weight program of some sort and have a look at your diet. About a month ago I began cutting wheat products out of my diet. Bread, pasta, baked goods, etc. I've lost a small amount of weight but have taken off some of those inches that made me uncomfortable in my clothes. Cutting out wheat isn't for everyone and only you will know what will help you succeed in getting a handle on it. Best wishes.

Jumpship

I'm with you.

ChiSandy

Definitely the endocrine therapy—slower metabolism and a tendency to deposit fat in the abdomen rather than hips/thighs/rump are hallmarks of estrogen deprivation. Add to that the pity-party I threw myself and I gained at least 20 lbs. since that first fateful anomalous mammogram, when I was already overweight. (15 of it since surgery). So I have had to give up sugar other than some fruit, and starch other than low-carb high-fiber bread (a slice or less a day) or the very occasional slice of sourdough (acc. to S. Beach Diet, its acidity makes it lower-glycemic-impact). Also joined a gym and do personal training 2x/wk (with some exercise every day). Shed 8 lbs. but have a long way to go before I can get my BMI down to 30, the border between obesity & overweight.

But I’d rather be heavy and alive for now than thinner and dying (which, face it, is a fate that befalls all of us—be it from terminal mets or the good fortune to achieve very old age).

keepthefaith

Count me in. Nothing I do seems to stop it! UGH! My MO warned me, but still...it is annoying. Esp when we are told obesity contributes to some cancers...I have gained 10-12 lbs. Not a lot, but I needed to lose that much when I was DX'd.

Goodie16

I have been struggling with weigh gain since I started on hormonals. My MO actually recommended Weight Watchers when I expressed concern. So far it's working. I've taken off 7 pounds since January. It's slow going, but at least it's going the right direction.

trying2staypositive7

Hi!

I totally agree with you! I've been on Arimidex for a couple of months and I have definitely gained weight. I hate it! I'm glad to hear that exercise helps! There is a diet that someone shared with me (an elimination diet) that seems to be the only thing that works for me! Good luck. Let me know if you figure something else out because I definitely love to eat!

Meow13

The only way I have found is counting calories and exercise. For me it is hard to keep up a consistent calorie intake, I have to be very conscious of what and how much I eat. On AI drugs I put on 30 pounds it is slowly coming off.

3bears

You girls are scaring the bejesus out of me!😀 I haven't started on tamoxifen yet but I would like to know, in hindsight what would you do different if you were me and just starting out? Would you eat differently? Excercise differently? Give something up? I guess I'm going to have to give up laziness aren't I?

MexicoHeather

Thanks for the posts, as I needed information on what to expect when I start the meds. Oncologist says I'll be in 5 to 10 years. I better go pick out my walking trails.

Tresjoli2

I gained 40 lbs in the last two years. 40! I am starting a medical weight loss program next week to try and get it off. I feel so gross....

Jennie93

I gained 40 pounds on tamoxifen. And I never had a weight problem in my 50 years of life before that, I eat healthy and have a very active lifestyle. Cutting calories below (sometimes well below) 1000/day made no difference. Adding exercise made no difference. Switching to anastrazole did help... a little. Still can't lose it but gaining at a much slower rate, or even staying the same for months at a time, I take that as a win. Counting down the days until the five years is up!!

dtad

Hi guys. When I hear how those of us are gaining a lot of weight on anti hormone therapy, I always think about whether or not it negates it's effectiveness. Its a known fact that weight loss and exercise lowers recurrence rates significantly. Anti hormone therapy makes both difficult for many. Just a thought...

Tresjoli2

I have had the same thought dtad. I am currently on a three week tamoxifen break and am re-evalyating my options...

keepthefaith

I quit taking Tam in January after 2.5 yrs. ..haven't met with MO yet. Just a gut feeling and some minor SE's. I have quit gaining weight, but what I did gain is not leaving! I have cut way back on my calories and try to walk 45 minutes a day. I agree, it seems like a Catch 22...get BC from not taking Tam or something else from gaining weight? I'm sure my metabolism has decreased due to my age also....what's a girl to do?:)