Tamoxifen and Weight Gain

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BlessedGirl01
BlessedGirl01 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)


I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 and 1/2 years now. Due to my age, my oncologist is changing me over to Arimidex (sp?) after the new year for another 2 and 1/2 years -- for my 5 total years of post-surgical/radiation treatment. Please know that I am very naturapathicly inclined and do not (did not) want to take anything. I was assured that I "must" take it. I have worked out all my life (hard) and watched my diet very carefully, have always and continue to take quality nutritional supplements daily. Now that I'm on Tamoxifen, it doesn't seem to matter what I do or eat -- I gain weight -- my worst nightmare (aside from breast cancer). On Labor Day 2012, I was admitted for Emergency Surgery for a gangreous appendix and was in the hospital for four days. I lost down to 132, which is very thin for me at 5' 7" -- thinnest being 128 in my twenties. Of course I was off my Tamoxifen for the emergency surgery, hospitalization and for several weeks following during recuperation. I had no problems maintaining my weight. I realize that being that ill had a lot to do with the weight loss itself. But as soon as I started taking Tamoxifen, the weight started coming back on, and I have gained back up to probably the largest I've been since being on this medication, since I can no longer wear most of my jeans and pants. Has anyone else out there experienced this?? I am very happy to be alive -- I'm truly very blessed and thankful, but it doesn't mean I don't care about how I look any more or and still be able to wear the clothes in my closet. Has anyone else out there experienced this this?? Please respond. Also -- what is it about the Tamoxifen that causes the weight gain -- it's very depressing to do all the right things and still gain weight. I know it's causing a hormone imbalance and that in and of itself and cause weight gain. Thanks for your responses and empathy.

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  • mjsgumbas
    mjsgumbas Member Posts: 373
    edited December 2013


    I've been on tamox for 6 mos + and have gained 15lbs. I couldnt exersize as much as I'd like (not that i worked out consistantly) but the recovery from BX with immediate implants and then a small corrective surgery - I just feel I can't get ahead if it! I really watch what I eat but am frustrated cuz every dr appt I add on a few more lbs.


    It is a side effect & we just must be the lucky one's. My MO said he had a woman who gained 60lbs and lost it all when she stopped tamox.


    Right now I just want to enjoy the holidays! Eat, drink & b merry! I recently started doing yoga and hope this helps. Found a great tape Thriving Yoga for BC patients. Positive thoughts it'll help! Not much else we can do

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited December 2013

    Blessedgirl...right there with you girl. I have always been weight conscious too so the weight gain is depressing. I have never had midriff bulge...never but I do now. I do exercise too but it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. When I complained to my Oncologist she politely informed me that one of her patients had lost 40 lbs. I am like seriously? Most of the women I talk to have gained weight. My clothes still fit okay - not as loose as I liked them to be but for now I can still wear them. I know we appear to be so vain when the drug is doing what it is supposed to do but still hard to take sometimes as if having the C word wasn't enough. Diane


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  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited December 2013

    Same thing here!  I eat pretty healthy, never really had to think about weight, stayed exactly the same all through surgery, chemo, rads....  Start tamoxifen and immediately it starts creeping up and up!  20 pounds in 6 months!  And it's belly fat which I've never had in my life!  Really pissing me off.  I know from reading here this is quite common, but when I complained to the MO she just brushed me off. "Maybe you are eating more since your taste buds have come back after chemo."  Uh, no.  Grrrr.  

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  • Lastchild13
    Lastchild13 Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2013

    I have been on Tamoxifen for about a year and a half -- maintained my weight pretty well until about 4 months ago. I suddenly gained 8 lbs and as luck would have it all of the weight went straight to my midsection. Not a happy camper. I try to eat mainly fresh veggies and fruit also only eating chicken, pork and fish. I think that the soda binge did me in :-)

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited December 2013

    The frustrating thing is no matter how much less or better you eat and or step up your exercise program you still either gain or can't lose the weight. There are lucky women out there who have lost weight on Tamoxifen but I am not one of the those people obviously. It is comforting to come here and vent because I can tell you I am sure my ONC would give me the I cant believe you are stressing about weight given what the drug is doing to prevent a recurrence speech. We all know that but is still unnerving to deal with the weight gain. If you eat too much esp the wrong things then you deserve to put on weight...this is different. Okay I am done complaining...diane



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