Weight Loss

Hi Kandy,

Same problem here. I lost about 10 lbs. during chemo and am down another 8 post-chemo and through rads. I have lost 2 more lbs. in the past week...also under 100 lbs. now.  I lost a lot of muscle mass thru all that. Until last week, I've had a good appetite and pretty good stamina. This past week I've felt like I have some kind of virus...tired, winded and nauseated...and have been in bed on and off. Not like me at all.  Like you, I worry about cancer. 

Today, I've been reading about hemp powder (high protein) which can help with muscle mass and weight gain also.  I cannot find any issue with estrogen-positive cancer and it can be mixed with unsweetened almond milk and fruits for a drink.  Has anyone tried this for wt./muscle loss? 

Thinking of you, Kandy.  I know how those fears play with one's mind and you're reminded every time you look in the mirror.

Molly 

I haven't seen my onc. yet. I haven't been too worried until the past week or so when I started losing my appetite and feeling nauseated when I do eat...just thought it would take time to begin gaining back.  My 3 mth. checkup at Duke is in March but I may have to go early if this doesn't change directions.  That's why I was reading about the hemp powder. 

We have booked a cruise for the end of Feb. thinking it would be great to have a vacation before going for the checkup. Just hoping we can make it now and that I'll be able to enjoy it. This week has been such a bummer.

I actually had the opposite affect. Between all the meds and steriods, I puffed up and had a hard time taking baby weight off. I had just delivered a set of twins when I started chemo.  Once I finihsed chemo and started flushing all the toxic drugs out of my system, I started losing someof the chemo weight. I thought chemo always made people lose weight but i was surprised by the opposite affect for me.

Do you get weighed each time you go to chemo?  I would ask your onco. about this. most likely you should start drinking those protein shakes to ensure you are getting what you need. 

I've read about whey protein powder but am concerned that it is a dairy product and much of it contains soy. Reading about options, I cannot find any problems with hemp powder related to estrogen positive cancer (does not have soy) nor to interaction with Femara. Trader Joe's came out with a vanilla organic hemp powder. It's $9.99/1 lb. and can be used with almond milk, milk, juices and fruits for a smoothie. Also can be used in oatmeal and recipes like muffins, breads, etc. I've read reviews which say it is good  though it is a shocking green color....look for the creative label.   Nutiva also has hemp powder with higher protein content and also a hemp oil product recently featured on The View. I read that Whoopie gave it the thumbs-up.

I'd like to know if anyone has had experience with hemp powder for building muscle mass. My husband  made a trip to stock up at Trader Joe's while in Chapel Hill last week... but I didn't know about their product then. We don't have a Trader Joe's in Asheville. Rats!