weight gain on chemo

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sk88tergirl
sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
edited June 2019 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
weight gain on chemo
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  • sk88tergirl
    sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2010

    I have gained so much weight on chemo.  I had 8 weeks of AC and I am currently on my 7th Taxol (of 12) treatment.  I have probably gained 20 - 25 lbs, and I am so depressed.  I feel like I don't even look like a human being anymore - combined with the hair loss.

    Did anyone else experience this atrocity and did you recover from it?  I have always struggled with my weight, and it doesn't seem to matter that I am watching my calories right now.  Help!

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  • foxyroxy2983
    foxyroxy2983 Member Posts: 42
    edited February 2010
    Hi sk88tergirl Smile I'm afraid you're not the only one who feels this way. I also gained about 20-25 while on taxol, no matter what I ate I gained weight. It was frustruating and depressing seeing myself transform into a chunky bald alien. I am now six months post chemo and I have hair now, as for the weight, I've only been able to lose 5lbs Cry and I exercise 4-5 times a week. Not sure when exactly my metabolism will get back to normal but I hope it gets normal soon. Hang in there, I know it is frustruating but it is only temporary. Don't be hard on yourself, at least you know that the chemo is working, it is better to be chunky from chemo than be dead. I hope this helps somewhat Wink
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  • sk88tergirl
    sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2010

    Hey there!

    Thank you for your input!  I was really wondering about this, and I am glad to hear that it's "normal".  I am sorry for you, too!  It IS frustrating...and I am tired of buying clothes, just to grow right out of them again!  Cry

    But, you are right....I am lucky that treatment is available; things could be worse, I suppose.

    Thank you!

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  • Anna2
    Anna2 Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2010

    I had chemo from Jan. 2009 until May 2009, and I gained 18 pounds. I know how you feel, you have already lost your dignity (no breast, no hair) and now this hits you. All I can tell you is that within a month of ending chemo, I dropped all 18 pounds. I know a lot of it was from people feeding me! They didn't know what else to do to help me and thought that would keep me strong. As soon as I could, I began exercise and a low fat diet. It has helped a lot. I still need to lose about 12 more pounds to be at a healthy weight for my heighth. GOOD LUCK. Don't ever give in to defeat. My motto was I am going to come out of this cancer, and be in better shape than I was before, and I think I am.

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  • cancersuks
    cancersuks Member Posts: 258
    edited February 2010

    I had CMF in '97 and put on 30 pounds, I almost cried when I got on the scale.  After my diagnosis and treatments (1st time around), I'm not proud to say I put 3 sheets to the wind and felt entitled to eat, drink and be merry...my self esteem was very low.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    Try to get a little exercise, even if it's just putting on your tennis shoes and walking around the house for 15 minutes at a time or lifting soup cans for weights; I think keeping moving helps to keep your metabolism up, so when you are done with treatment you don't have to totally start from scratch. Good Luck! 

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  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited February 2010

    I gained 20...my 'chemobonus'. I finished chemo 16 months ago and have not really shifted any, although I am stronger and fitter and less 'fluid-filled'. I have not worn jeans since August 08. I kid you not. I REFUSE to buy jeans with a bigger backside/waistline. I am very active, I build big things and do manly jobs on our beach-shack...all in a skirt! I am used to that now but the thing that breaks my heart is that I can't wear my beautiful wedding rings. Fucking cancer.

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited February 2010

    hey also had 4 tx of AC over 8 weeks and had my 7th taxol yesterday of 12. I too have gained weight 20-25 lbs.

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  • justpayton1
    justpayton1 Member Posts: 786
    edited February 2010

    Me too..I gained on taxol. It didn't matter that I walked 6 miles a day and often twice a day. I was amped up on steriods and mad that I couldn't lose a flipping pound!!! I had a friend start walking over the summer maybe 3 miles a day and she was losing weight and I was doing doulbe and gaining. I thought when it ended I would drop the weight NOPE...then someone said it takes about 5 months to get it out of your system..I am on month 8 and I lose 5 gain 10 lose 10 gain 5..I try not to lokk at myself. I feel like the fat lady w/ cancer..

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  • EGAL
    EGAL Member Posts: 539
    edited February 2010

    I had chemo 3 years ago (4 AC & 4 Taxotore) and gained 30 lbs.  I wasn't even eating due to taste buds being ruined and still gained.  Sorry to say that I haven't lost a pound. I eat better but don't really exercise.  For a while after I could taste food again I ate what I wanted. My middle is larger than my foobs!! It is so depressing but I haven't been motivated to join WW or another weight loss program.

    Ellen

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  • OtraVez
    OtraVez Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2010

    My expereience is a lot like  EGAL's, only my motivation shows up every now and again; it just doesn't stay for very long. . . The irony -I'd lost almost 20 lbs in the months leading up to my diagnosis. I also taught fitness classes - including a body sculpt the night before my mast, and I gained almost nothing in that first three months of chemo.  The surgeon discouraged darn near everything until the wound completely healed (more than 2 months!) and by then, I was halfway through the taxotere, its accompanying steroids, and the dead of winter.  My metabolism slowed down so much it was a wonder I didn't feel like I had weights on my ankles and wrists! 

    I think the recovery has been harder for me because I spend so much time in the gym. In addition to the anti-lymphedema alarms ("if you lift weights, set even a toe in the hot tub, or do darn near anything else, exercise, you will have lymphedema"), I'm having a real problem getting my head around changing in the locker room.  I seemed to have no problem being bald and eyebrow-less, but I'm really self-conscious . . . and here I am, more than 2 years later and 30 pounds heavier.  Yuk.  

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  • sk88tergirl
    sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2010

    Thank you so much, everyone, for your stories!  It gives me a lot to think about. I went to the gym today and am going again tomorrow, but that is hard, too.  I look really weird there being the only one with a scarf on my head!  (they should make gyms for cancer victims, so we don't have to be embarrased in front of people!)  haha!

    Well....I think that I will just keep at it, and see how it goes!  ;)

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  • juli0212
    juli0212 Member Posts: 1,415
    edited February 2010

    I also gained 30lbs. on 4 chemo meds, and being on tamox has not let me lose it no matter WHAT I do or don't eat.  I hear ya, luckily we can rant here about that!   :)   (And, gotta say, lucky my bf accepts me no matter what, hair/no hair, weight gain, size zero when he met me, now size 12!)

    ~juli

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited February 2010

    I saw this one coming, so have worked very hard to maintain muscle mass during chemo via weights and crunches.  So far, it has paid off.  Also make sure I do the minimum of a one mile walk daily.  I cycle on the week ends.

    Just did the weights and crunches which is a struggle on Day 4 post Taxol infusion.  But well worth it.

    I have also focused on eating protein for energy which I also think helped.  Yes, I eat veggies, dairy, grains etc, but a lot more protein than I otherwise would.

    I do long enough rides on the week ends so I can eat sweets guilt free.  And I made sure I made myself a wonderful birthday cake this week to celebrate mine.

    I have set myself the goal of doing the 70 mile route of LiveStrong which I think will be a couple of weeks post radiation.  This will keep me moving as will need to seriously train.

    I do know I will need to watch my weight post treatment so will need to space out treats.  Very hard as I just love good food.

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  • Marion
    Marion Member Posts: 207
    edited February 2010

    Hello!

    I did 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan and I gained 15 pounds. I am 11 weeks out from my last chemo and I haven't lost anything... even though I watch what I eat. I am menopaused because of chemo and I hope I'll lose some weight when/if my periods come back... I refuse to buy new jeans or  pants, and I'm "surviving" wearing leggings with long tops. Good thing leggings are in fashion!

    Good luck everyone with the weight loss!

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  • claraclara
    claraclara Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2010

    Sk88trgirl.

         Hello I am Clara and am struggling with weight gain from Taxo/Carbo treatments.  As I understand, you were battling weight gain, as well?  When your chemo was finished, did the weight drop off by itself or did you have to work at it?    Thanks, Clara

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  • sk88tergirl
    sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2010

    Hi Clara,

    I still have 4 more Taxol tx left, but the weight gain is outa control!  :(

    I have always struggled with my weight, and had finally gotten to a weight that I was happy with before all of this began!  (plus, I am in nursing school - which adds weight, too!!)

    I am doing everything I can to lose the weight, but I fear that once I begin the Tamoxifen, it may never come off! 

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited February 2010

    I gained about 22 lbs.  so depressing.  I finished chemo the end of November but then I did radiation and finished up with radiation a month ago.  Now i feel like I can deal with this as I am feeling fairly decent--just starting to feel like my old self.  

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  • sk88tergirl
    sk88tergirl Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2010

    Hey, Cowgirl.  Sorry, I havent been on here in a while.  YES..I think it's depressing, too!  I have always LOVED fashion and buying clothes, and NOW....I am too fat to wear them... I think I look just awful, and my mood isnt helping my health, I think.  Depressing is an understatement!  Thank you for your input.  It helps me just to know that I am not alone in this.  :)

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  • runner262
    runner262 Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2010

    I too gained weight while on chemo.  Every 3 weeks when I had to go and weigh prior to my session I had gained another 3 - 4  lbs.  I was very active prior to getting cancer.  Ran most days and was in pretty good shape.  I finished chemo 10 months ago and although I am nowhere near what I was exercising prior to breast cancer I have been trying to exercise 5 days a week but am unable to lose any weight.  I ended up putting on about 15% of my original body weight.  It is depressing.    Most of my weight gain is around the stomach and hips and upper thighs and now with no breasts I must say I look a little weird.  Though the hair has come back about 4 inches so far.  It is so curly.  All I can say is hang tough.

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