Weight Gain??

sydpen2 · December 2008

Has anyone else experienced weight gain through cancer treatments? It's very frustrating. You'd think that one benefit from this whole battle would be losing weight ... not gaining. I am heavy anyway and I just feel like a whale.

flyrzfan · December 2008

I so feel your pain. Before chemo I struggled to stay in the 150 range...I maxed out at 190 through chemo. Fortunately it has started to come off since chemo ended a month ago. Of course, I am much more careful about what I eat and I am back to exercising so I am sure that helps! Be easy on yourself...everything about this sux including the weight gain. Once everything settles down and you can start getting life back to normal the weight should begin to come off again with a little effort.

Best wishes to you!

carolynf · December 2008

I agree w/Bonnie. The weight gain sux but I hope to get it off also. On top of that, having the chemo throw you into menopause which adds to the gain. I had just lost 30 plus pounds before being diagnosed. I had gotten rid of a lot of my fat clothes and now I need them since gaining back 20 something pounds. At least I haven't gained all back. I am hoping that the wt will now start coming off since I just finished chemo!

Carolyn

sydpen2 · December 2008

Good to hear both of your responses. Hopefully I will be able to work on getting this off after treatment. To top things off I broke my leg 6 weeks ago and it is taking longer to heal due to the chemo. But it will heal. Maybe then I can exercise and walk more and get some of this off. Everyday is a new adventure that's for sure.

Annabella58 · December 2008

Hi there, oh my yes, I got 20 lbs. from chemo. AND the ice cream that was the only thing I did eat that did not make me sick.

I am a beached whale and am working on trying to get it off, but am on lupron to keep me in menopause and I'll tell you, this stuff doesn't want to budge.

Think I need to step up the exercise, good luck!!!! You'll heal and it'll leave.

mumito · December 2008

sydepen2 Hang in there after chemo when you get some energy back you can worry about it. I gained 10 durring chemo and am already overweight but decided not to worry until I had less to deal with. staying healthy during chemo is enough to deal with.

sydpen2 · December 2008

You're right... staying healthy during chemo is challenge enough. The more chemo we have the harder it is to get your umphh back. I just have to concentrate on one treatment at a time and then deal with the weight issue. Thanks

Deb

Britt · December 2008

A question re chemo weight gain: what if one has always been slender and with a high metabolism? Will the chemo also cause weight gain? Do all forms of chemo cause weight gain? Does it have something to do with steriods taken with chemo? Please do forgive me because I am very new to this . . .

carolynf · December 2008

Hi Britt,

I had a friend who was slender and gained weight. She is trying to get it off now. I think it does depend on your metabolism and how much you eat and exercise. Everyone is different but I think w/my chemo kicking me into menopause didn't help things! The steroids also helped in retaining more water then normal. I talked to my PT and when she went thru chemo she did the opposite. She lost a lot of weight because she became very active. Hope this helps some.

Carolyn

Britt · December 2008

Hi Carolyn -

Thanks for replying - I am 5' 7" and weight about 110 lbs - have always been very hyper and active - 51 years old and not totally in menopause yet - my last period was on 9/22 and it hasn't returned yet! So I am cognizant that whatever chemo I am on will push me over the edge into full menopause. Oh, well. It's about time, anyway . . . . I'm not much of a big eater at all and am actually trying to eat a little more now to prepare myself for what is to come . . . but being nervous about the uncertainly doesn't exactly whet one's appetite . . . and I have been on steroids before for a skin condition and they had me so totally wired I ended up losing weight! But I suppose this may be different. Thanks again so much for your reply!

scarp · December 2008

Britt - I have always been on the thin side and have not gained weight. I do walk alot. I have cahnged my eating habits since on CMF. I eat 4 small meals a day. I do give into my cravings that I have. I did have oral sugery prior to the treatment and that took about 10 lbs off of me and it has stayed off. I've gone thru 2 treatment so far. I don't think my metalobilsm has changed.

Britt · December 2008

Thanks, Scarp - I have been through oral surgery myself about six years ago and that does take a lot of weight off - I was down to 102 and it took me two months to get back to my normal weight. I walk a lot also - and I hope to keep it up while under treatment. Thanks for the suggestion of 4 small meals - I think that is a great idea! - Take care and thanks again for the heads up!

carolynf · December 2008

Hi Britt,

I am 5'8' and weighed 160 before chemo and I just finished my chemo regiment on 21 Nov (almost 1 yr) and am now at 186!! I have not had a period since Dec 07 (age 45). The negative of this is the hotflashes. Make sure you eat enough to keep your counts up. I was fortunate enough to do all my txs w/out missing any. I am looking forward to getting my port out though. It's been in there long enough. Take care.

Carolyn

Weight Gain??

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