Weight gain after chemo?

Hi, I did have the same problem, I gained I about 17 pounds .

It started during the chemo and continued until 4 or 5 months after my last chemo (which was January 26). The nurse explained me that it happened because of the dexamethadone which is a corticosteriod = does not tell your body when it has eaten enough. She also told me the effect of that drug lasts for 4 to 5 months after you stop taking it (even if it is only 3 days every 3 weeks as it was in  my case ). And indeed.... I stopped "expanding" in  May.  I never was that heavy in my whole life (165lbs coming from 148) , all my clothes were very very thight and could even not wear some . I was soooooooo frustrated !!! Started South Beach Diet in August and am 10 pounds lighter, still 7 to go  BUT iI must say that  those last 7 are very stubborn, impossible to loose them right now .  I do not know your age, but in my case, the chemo put me in menopause and some of those pounds will likely stay with me forever  (menopause fat ).

My oncologist had told me beforehand that I would gain weight so it was not that a big surprise. I read an article that stated that the scientists  do not understand exactly why we gain weight , it only happens when you have chemo + radiation , not with radiation alone . 

The good thing is to know that it will stop , the bad is that we feel so uncomfortable but luckily it is only temporary.

I hope this helped you. 

BBinCalifornia, stage 1,ER-/PR+/HER+ 

Thank goodness I found this thread. I thought I was losing it. I have gained 6 pounds since beginning chemo. Have gained a total of 11 pounds since bilat mastectomy in June. I have never been this heavy my whole life! I had my last treatment 2 weeks ago. About 7 days ago I cut my calories to 1200 and started to weight train with heavy weight and do intense cardio daily. I actually gained 3 pounds this week! I was so frustrated and disappointed that my clothes are still tight and the scale won't budge. Sounds like I need to just keep it up and need to just give it time.

Bloody bore isn't it ladies?

If you are in any fit state to manage it, 10 minutes on a treadmill at max incline, 4 miles per hour burns a whole big bunch of calories.

There's a free online thing called www.fitday.com  that is very helpful for tracking what you eat, cals, exercise etc.  You might find that useful.  (n.b. I don't work for them, and it is free).

Any kind of carbs have been bad news for me but as I am mid way through chemo there are lots of things I can't eat so my diet isn't normal currently.  I have cut the dexamethazone to an utter minimum as it depresses me so badly I don't use it really.  Mostly I do my 10k steps per day. 

Good luck with everything ladies - at the very least we deserve easy weight loss!

xxx

I read the problems with weight that everyone seems to have after chemo.  I was diagnosed in March, stage two.  I have finished chemo and on Femara, my problem is, I have so much pain in my joints that it is hard to exercise or walk a long distance.  Anyone else have this with Femara?

Mabbam - I am glad I found this thread. I am having the exact same experience with tamoxifen. I am hoping that I can find more time to exercise. Have cut quite a few calories. I am guessing that this is normal.

 hi kimmy1-thanx for the reply, i have to get on this site when it's late and the kids are asleep-just wondering did you do radiation also? do you get chest pains and trouble breathing since starting tamoxifin?-thanx for replying look forward to hearing from you

yup, I had Tamoxifen and gained 40lbs during chemo.  3 to 4 months in remission now,  Terrible pain in joints and absolutely no energy.  I just had to start out so slow and force myself to do a little each and every day.  Actually the more I did the better I felt energy wise.

Be Blessed

I just finished chemo approx three weeks ago while I have lost a gained a afew pounds during chemo I am now gaining pounds rapidly after chemo. My thighs are huge and bulging in my clothes. I'm scared and dont want to gain weight. I know it sounds vain as if I dont have bigger concerns. But its enough having to think about all one goes through with treatment. I walk three times weekly but doesnt seem to help. It is comforting to learn that it lingers only temporarily though.