Question about rapid weight gain during chemo - what's normal?

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gildedcage
gildedcage Member Posts: 139
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I'd be very grateful if anyone can help speak to an issue I'm having. I started TC in late August. I took steroids before, during and after the chemo but didn't have the side effects that so many people have of sleeplessness or eating a lot. In fact, I felt totally normal on the steroids. I ended up getting thrush and a wicked case of heartburn though, which my onc thinks is due to the steriods. Due to the thrush, heartburn and just general GI yuckiness, I lost a little weight after chemo. I normally weigh about 127 lbs. Last week (6 days ago) I was weighed at the doctor's office as 124 lbs. I was given 5 neupogen shots to self administer and sent home. In the last three days I have gained a whopping 9 lbs. I feel swollen and puffy all over - particularly in my face. I don't know if this is a result of the steriods, the chemo or the neupogen but I am shocked by how rapid this weight gain is. It appears to be mostly water weight but even after drinking lots of lemon water, green tea and coconut water (all recommended for diuretic properties), I just seem to be getting more swollen and puffy. My clothes don't fit me and being only 5'2", a 10 lb weight gain in such a short time has me concerned. My dietary habits have not significantly changed in the last few days either. I'm a pretty healthy eater. Has anyone else experienced this? I should also mention that I had the Lupron shot to shut down my hormonal system shortly before I started chemo about three weeks ago and since that time I've had major menopausal symptoms (hot flash, night sweats, insomnia) as well. Could chemopause be to blame? I feel like the Michelin Tire man over here! I know weight gain during BC treatment is normal but this is ridiculous! 

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2013

    when you said you started in late august, it is really only early september. How many infusions have you had? That does seem to be a quick 10 lbs!! i gained close to 30, but it took me over 6 mos. i do belive it was the steroids, and the tc. but that does sound extreme. id call the MO or his NP!!!

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2013

    pasadena! Are you going to city of hope, by any chance?

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  • gildedcage
    gildedcage Member Posts: 139
    edited September 2013

    Thanks for responding, kathec. I actually started on Aug 27th so I've only had one infusion. Unfortuntely my doctor is on vacation this week but I think I'll call and speak with a nurse anyway. I'm at Kaiser. Where are/were you getting your treatment? 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2013

    Definitely call tomorrow. That drastic of a gain in such a short time is not normal. Let us know what you find out.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    gildedcage - this happened to me too - I was visibly swollen, and they actually sat me down when I walked in for chemo and took my blood pressure - they couldn't believe it was normal.  For me it was caused by a combination of steroids and Taxotere.  My onc gave me a diuretic (Triamterene) which does not cause problems with your potassium level.  I took it for the duration of TCH, then for Herceptin only infusions, and only came off of it in a tapering dose a few months ago.  This has to be excess fluid in your system because to gain one pound of actual flesh you would have to consume an extra 3500 calories and not burn it off, unlikely during chemo.

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  • gildedcage
    gildedcage Member Posts: 139
    edited September 2013

    Yes, I will def call and ask for a diuretic. I'm guessing this is mostly due to the steroids. I am just surprised that it took nearly two weeks to show up. My onc already suggested I take half the dose of steroids for my next chemo session but, in the meantime, I'll ask for some meds. Thanks for the info. 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    Good luck!

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  • gildedcage
    gildedcage Member Posts: 139
    edited September 2013

    Well, I spoke with the on-call doctor and was told that this is a normal side effect of Taxotere and/or steroids. I was told that a low sodium diet and diuretics would help a little but that I'll just have to learn to live with it through the course of treatment. I think I'll still ask about prescription diuretics when I see my regular onc. This feels pretty miserable and I don't want to live this way for another 5 months if I can avoid it. I still kind of feel that 9 lbs in less than a week is extreme and a cause for concern but then again, I'm not the doctor so I have no way of knowing that the norm is. I guess time will tell. 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2013

    Was the on-call doctor an oncologist? Did they assign you a chemo nurse that you can call?

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  • gildedcage
    gildedcage Member Posts: 139
    edited September 2013

    Yes, the doctor that called me was the oncologist filling in for my onc who is on vacation this week. A chemo nurse also called me (before the doctor) but didn't give me much information except to tell me to keep drinking water and call if I have a lack of urination. Not what I was hoping for but there it is. 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited September 2013

    Well, keep bugging them if you feel something is not right!

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