Weight gain on Aromasin

Margaret, I just wanted to let you know that I have lost 40 pounds while taking Aromasin.  I gained about 15 pounds in the first 6 months (June to December 2007), but since then I have gradually lost 40 pounds over the past 18 months.  Maybe your onc and family physician think they are being supportive, as in "don't worry about it, don't feel bad about it" -- which is fine -- but if you feel they are being discouraging, please know that it is not impossible to lose weight while continuing to take Aromasin!  I was up to 215 lb at my heaviest and now weigh 175 (I'm 5'7").  ("Ideal" would be 140, but I don't think I'll ever see that again!!!!)  I was motivated by being dx'd at my heaviest as "pre-diabetic" with bad triglyceride levels (high) and high blood pressure (and, yes, having horrible knee, foot, ankle, hip, and lower back pain).  My primary care physician prescribed fish oil capsules (Lovaza is the prescription name -- it's 900 mg of omega-3 only, which is safe for ER+) which I think have been miraculous for appetite control, weight loss (especially around the waist), and joint pain (my onc thinks the fish oil helps with joint pain even without weight loss).

The dietary change I made (on the advice of my 25-yo son, who's kind of a nutrition-fitness expert) was to eat 6 small nutritious snack-meals per day: lots of soluble fiber (pinto beans, lentils, oatmeal, etc.), lean chicken or fish, whole grain breads -- no sweetened beverages, not even fruit juice (although I still put sugar in my coffee, with half-and-half, won't give that up!), and more vegetables than fruit.  Putting myself on a strict regimen for about 6 weeks really turned me around. Eating six 300-calorie meals per day I never felt hungry, but I limited myself to 1800 calories (God only knows how many calories I consumed before!).  The only exercise I do is a lot of walking, and taking stairs instead of elevators -- but I'm able to do a lot more of that now that my joints are better. Believe me, I'm not trying to brag (I'm still a "heavy-set" woman, as my BS's notes say ) and the last thing I want to do is make anyone feel bad -- but I have a feeling your doctors' saying "no way can you lose weight on Aromasin" is REALLY making you feel bad, so I wanted to let you know that it is indeed possible.

Hugs,

Ann

P.S. I was really strict about my diet for about 3 months, but since then have been able to relax it a bit, and still continue to lose weight.  Part of the reason for "6 small meals a day" is that when you eat frequently (and keep your blood sugar stable), it BOOSTS your metabolism so that your body is in calorie-burning mode.  If you eat infrequently, your metabolism slows way down into a "starvation mode" and hoards calories and fat.  So if you eat a single 1800 calorie meal a day, you might even gain weight, but if you space it out evenly over a day, you'll burn calories efficiently and be more likely to lose weight.  And breakfast IS the most important meal of the day!

Hi, there! Yes, I definitely gained weight on aromasin. I have read that it is steroidal in action and doesn't that mean it can increase your appetite?? It definitely increased my appetite. However, I did lose weight through exercise and eating 6 small meals throughout the day. In all I lost 30 lbs, but I have gained 10 back. I am on the regimine again and hope to lose the 10 lbs and maybe even more.  Breakfast and exercise are the key elements. Good luck to everyone on this drug, it is a challenge but better than the alternative. God bless you all, Kathy

I have been on Armoasin for the past three years and am having such a hard time losing weight. Last year I joined Weight Watches and did lose 30 lbs. in one years time.  I still had another 30 lbs. to lose but took a break.

Now I am trying again to lose the 30 lbs. and going to Weight Watchers again.  In the past two months, I have only lost 2.6 lbs.  It is really driving me crazy.  I have been following the program pretty good.  My weight seems to be around my middle and thighs.

 After researching and reading these posts, I will try the fish oil Omega 3's and hope that will give me the boost I need.   Even if it only helps my joint pain, it will be worth taking.  I wonder why my onc never recommended fish oil.

I was diagnosed with 2 types of breast cancer last April 2009.  I have went through the mastectomy and a lot of other things, but first my oncologist put me on Arimidex and within 36 days I couldn't even walk across the room the pain in my joints, ankles, ect. were terrible.  So I told my doctor I would not take that expensive stuff.  By the way, I have 50 some pills left if there is anyone out there that could use it.  Anyway, he waited about 6 weeks and then put me on Aromasin.  I am doing better with it, have to take Aleve everyday just to get through the day, but better then the Arimidex.  But yes I have gained weight.  I am 5 ft. 3 and now weigh 210.  I did not realize it was going to make me gain weight which I cannot afford since I already have heart problems.  By the way, I was 69 when I started and just now turned 70.  I am not sure these doctors know that much about these medications or how much it is costing us.  Not only our health but our money.  Any suggestions from anyone would really help.

I have been on aromasin for two years and I have gained 14 llbs. I am 5 foot 4 and weigh 154 llbs. My joints ache ,paricularly in the knee  and the  hip and knuckles . I do take fish oil but there was no change in both weight and pain levels . However I have now discovered magnets and I cannot believe the change in my pain levels particularly during the night .  Atlast I can achieve a good nights sleep  . They are not expensive 12 small disks applied with a plaster cost £6.  You can buy them in Boots chemist uk. or any good chemist . I am now determined to lose weight and I am trying he weightwatchers diet . I have to say the last time I tried weightwatchers I gained weight but some how I think with my determination it will work for me this time . I will let you all know .Good luck to all cancer sufferers.

Any new reports on Aromasin and weight gain?  I started it in March of this year (2012) and have gained about 15 pounds.  Granted, some of that is weight I lost during chemo.  But I'm exercising like mad (1 and 1/2 hours a day of cardio, weights, etc) and I'm GAINING weight!  My jeans are getting tighter.  This makes no sense other than Aromasin.  Anyone?

Thank you people!  I keep gaining and gaining .  I also am more worried about the weight at this point.  And excess weight increases recurrence!  I asked my onco if I was just making excuses.  It really seems as though I'm constantly surprised by the what the scale says.  He said it's an excuse.  But this is really odd.  I know when I'm pigging out and I know what my usual weight gain will be and this very unusual.  But what can we do?

  I've gained 64 pounds in one year!

Well girls we have to come together here and decide what's worse for us a recurrance or dying from hating ourselves, being overweight and our hearts give out (among other things)  Isn't there another solution, do we really have to take this medicine!!! I just can't afford to gain any weight, I gained 24 lbs since I quit smoking in 2008 - haven't lost an ounce, even with chemo!!  This sucks!!!  What can we do?  Docs say it's in our mind but it isn't and I don't want to take that stuff!!  What a predicament this is!  How can we fight this...We are scared that's the whole problem. 

20 minutes later, just rambled on to husband - he set me straight - I am going to take it because the Doc said I need it!!! Don't want to worry about this anymore...I'm in (fat or thin)

FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!!! Oncotype DX Score 34
Dx 8/29/2012, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-Hormonal Therapy ArimidexRadiation Therapy ExternalSurgery 09/13/2012 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Chemotherapy 11/06/2012 Cytoxan, Taxotere

I have been on aromasin for 4 1/4 years (can you tell I am counting the days?), have not gained weight but surely have not lost so guess I will say thanks on that

doc has confirmed to me that at the end of my 5 years, I can stop!  yahoo for me

I took arimidex for 6 months and switch to exemestane due to the severe joint pain.....now I am struggling with the weight gain.  I like so many others have tried many things.  Next up will be the fish oil and weight watchers before it gets too out of hand.  Is nice to not feel so alone though.  Wishing all good luck and good health.