Anyone gained weight with taking Tamoxifen?

Pami70

Hi all.

Thank for letting me join ❤️ I was diagnosed with BC in October 2017, I decided to have a double mastectomy, I’ve also decided to go flat, which I quite like... I’ve been taking Tamoxifen since and the weight I’ve gained is making me feel fed up, I’m dieting and exercising and the weight won’t budge... I know this is really a small thing to fret over,but I’m 50 in August and I just wanted to fee and look better... has anyone else had this problem or is it something I’m doing wrong, as I want to stop taking it!

Veeder14

Hi Pami70,

Yes, same problem. I’ve been on Tamoxifen over a year. I workout daily, really hard and try and eat healthy however it’s been impossible to loose any weight. I gained about 10 lbs but still I’d rather be lighter. 4 more years of this???

keepthefaith

I am 6 yrs out and older than you, but I can't shake my extra 10 lbs either. I haven't taken Tamoxifen since 2017. I quit early. My MO told me to expect it. I think, at my age, part of it is my slowing metabolism. But, I still try to watch what I eat and walk often. I figure if I didn't, it might be more like 20 lbs! Best wishes~

Pami70

Thanks for the reply, how many months/years did you take tamoxifen for, as I’m thinking of stopping it.

Best wishes xx

Pami70

Hi Veeder14

Are you still continuing with the Tamoxifen? As I’m only 2.5 years in 😩

Veeder14

Yes. I’m BRAC 2 so feel I better continue even though I don’t like the side effects. The worse one is not sleeping well on going. Not sure if that would have anything to do with weight gain and inability to loose weight.

I’ve only been taking it for a year and 4 months. I’m 64

BCat40

Hi Vedder, when you don't get enough sleep that will cause cortisol levels to rise in your body, which can promote weight gain. Or it could just be that if you are tired from not sleeping, you are less likely to keep active. So tough with these drugs!

Moderators

Hi Everyone!

Pami70, glad you found BCO, and are hearing different opinions. Have you discussed the side effects (like weight gain) with your doctor? Any suggestions from them? It's always a balancing act between side effects and risk reduction.

Veeder14

Hi Bcat40,

Thanks for your comments. I didn’t know about cortisol levels rising. I still stay very active but do it early in the day before feeling tired. I will be talking with my MO soon, PC drsays maybe I should try a sleeping pill once in a while so to sleep through the night.

wallycat

I started gaining weight when I was on tamoxifen; when I was switched to arimidex, I really looked puffy/bloated...almost like patients on prednisone. Once off the meds, the puffy look went away, more or less, but the weight is very, very hard to lose. Low carbing worked for a little bit but after some time on it, that stopped working too. In a way, gaining weight means the drug is working. Our bodies can make some estrogen with body fat, so I think that weight around the gut is what is happening. I finally decided that I would eat as healthfully as I can, exercise as much as I am able and then just try not to focus on it. Some days I do better than others. I was unwilling to eat three or four bites of food just to maintain, never mind lose weight. I'll be 63 in May and have been off the meds 8 years now. I have read that slightly heavier people, as they age, have longer life expectancy so I remind myself of that.

As an aside, my DH went on an antihormonal (metastatic prostate cancer) and he started putting on weight right away. He's been slim most of his life. His legs are so skinny but his belly is starting to bulge out. I'm just glad he's here ----knock wood, a year in July.

msphil

yes sweetie i did indeed gain weight felt so puffy carrying around that extra weight. But after time was up for me to stop the tamoxifen i did see the weight go down alot. But i was grateful for the tamoxifen because it helped me stay cancer free. Im a 26yr Survivor this yr and its also our anniversary i was diagnosed as we were making wedding plans. Positive thoughts and tons of Hope got me thru. Praised God. msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes three months chemo before and after Lmast then married then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen.

msphil

Sweetie yes i did gain weight also but it eventually come off after i was finished the tamoxifen. I was diagnosed at 42 while planning our 2nd marriages. msphil idc stage2 3mo chemo before and after Lmast then got married then 7wks rads and 5yes on tamoxifen. Praise God i am now a 26 yr Survivor and also our 26yr Anniversary.