Weight loss with chemotherapy and radiation therapyerapy

Mattie2011

Has anyone had problems with weight loss and chemotherapy and radiation therapy?

Momine

It wasn't a problem for me, because I was 25 pounds too heavy. By the end of treatment, I was excessively scrawny, but I gained back a few pounds, and that solved the problem.

However, one thing I did find helpful during treatment was to eat at set times. My appetite was funny, and I didn't feel as hungry as normal, so setting meal times helped me to eat regularly, even if I didn't eat as much as usual. I also made an effort to make sure that my meals were nutritious, which is important if you are eating less. The habit stayed. After 10 months of set meal times, I now have to keep them or else I feel awful.

LoriCA

It's an on-going struggle for me. Since I'm StageIV (de novo) and was considered thin to begin with (really just a normal healthy weight), my doctor warned me to try to put as much weight on as I could as soon as I started chemo. He said that if I lost 10% of my body weight (13 lbs) it would be a sign that I was nearing the end. As hard as try to gain weight I've been losing about one pound per week the past month. I'm torn between trying to eat a healthy diet and avoiding sugar, but even with eating all of the cake, cookies and ice cream I can (in addition to healthy foods), I'm still having a hard time maintaining weight. I've had no problem with nausea from chemo. I have a hearty appetite and I eat all day long. If I were to stick with just the typical cancer diet of fresh healthy food, I would be dropping weight at an amazing rate.