Weight loss update on anti-hormonals

Anonymous · July 2015

Dear all,

I've been tracking this problem for some time. 3 years as a matter of fact.

When I was on tamox, I didn't gain or lose.

When I went on arimidex, coupled with a small dose of effexor to relieve hot flashes, I gained 8-10 lbs over about a year while still active at my usual nearly triathalon pace and no diet changes--my husband said if I were any more active (spin, bikram yoga, hiking, running, weight lifting, and now willpower and grace) I wouldn't be able to hold a job. That's how much I exercise, because i love it. I am not a big eater and get most of my food from plants (fruits and veg) anyway.

First I tried to lose weight during arimidex by counting calories with myfitnesspal. Was at one time down to 1200 cals a day and no change in weight after 3 weeks. (Please don't tell me I was in starvation mode--research proves that's pretty much a myth, as if it were true, then anorexics would never lose weight to dangerous levels). Anyway, I didn't lose a pound.Not one.

When I went off the arimidex and the effexor for a 3 week break, I counted calories for two weeks, and then added in the 5:2 (fast 500 cals 2 days a week and eat normally the next) for two weeks while still counting cals in a modified fashion (in other words I didn't go crazy with those normal days--probably ate about 1500 cals, which was fine because I don't think I could have eaten any more anyway). Same levels of activity.

Guess what: I weighed today and have lost 8 lbs. I really think that the anti-depressant and the arimidex coupled together was the culprit. I'm now taking 100 mg of 5HTP for mood changes and hot flashes, am not going back on effexor or taking a new one like welbutrin, and have also been transitioning into aromasin for two weeks now. We'll see what happens. But at least I know that for me arimidex hormonals cause weight gain.

Personally I think we should be looking for weight loss drugs (safe ones! safe ones!) to treat hormone+ BC instead. The anti-hormonals make so many of us gain weight. If we gain weight we have more places to store estrogen instead of excreting it, a bad thing. If we gain weight we have a higher chance of recurrence generally. If we took a weight loss drug instead, and left our hormones alone, wouldn't it be better? Less mood swings, hot flashes, weight gain, joint aches, etc. and we'd all be slim.

Claire in AZ

208sandy · July 2015

First of all let me say that I think it must be the effexor as I was on arimidex and lost weight - on aromasin I gained and on femera my bp skyrocketed into stroke status after six months but I also lost weight. Now I agree that a weight loss drug a safe one would be wonderful but does such a one exist and add to that most of us over 55 or so have a higher propensity for stroke/heart disease because of the chemo and rads we had or, like me A-fib which I've had since I was born - I agree that the added weight probably ups our risk too and the only option may be to drop the AIs but again that is what put me into Stage IV so there really aren't any GOOD choices here, just choices - if it's a 10 or 20 lb. weight gain then I think that may be the safest choice - the exercise and great diet are a great choice too - btw I have gained 30 lbs. all within six months of me going back on AIs two years ago but I have never deviated from that weight, not one oz. up or down - it's the cost of keeping me alive I guess.

kamm · July 2015

I also excercise a ton and immediately within two weeks of starting Arimidex started to put on weight. I think it really is different for everyone but your not crazy. I felt the same way. There was no way I could excercise more than I was or had for 25 years. When I went off, weight dropped off with no change in eating or exercise. Started on tamox and had the same thing happen.

vlnrph · July 2015

Very interesting reports, which help substantiate my theory about weight issues after menopause: our bodies crave estrogen so much that, when ovaries shut down, they hang onto every ounce of fat available because that is where the aromatase action takes place to create more! Anti-cancer meds inhibit this enzyme which means we need additional adipose tissue in order to boost levels of our "female" hormone...

Corollary to this is abnormal fasting lipid profiles. If the raw material can't be made into our preferred product, it gets shunted into cholesterol manufacture, raising LDL. That's when thedoctor will order a statin especially in cases where a family history of cardiac disease is present. Start taking one of those and counter the muscle effects by supplementing with coenzyme Q. You will be at the pharmacy every week picking up a refill of one thing or another.

Growing older and having your blood vessels become stiffer results in hypertension. It's a fortunate person who can get by with just one drug for that. Coping with advancing age is a full time job!!

kamm · July 2015

Sounds very logical vlnrph!

april485 · July 2015

Just have one word after reading this....UGH!

Loopy

Kicks · July 2015

claireinnz - Those who are aneroxic do indeed starve to death - without (or with) medical assistance. Once all other tissue has been consumed by the body, it then preserves life (as long as possible) by cannibalising the little that remains (organs/muscles/bones). No, I have never made myself aneorixic but unfortunately, my Mom was so I did see years of what this life threatening disease/condition/choice does, not just to the individual but the entire family. Mom was 5'4" and the most she ever weighed was 112 lbs when she was admitted to the hospital when I was born (I was 8.6 lbs) - she waas 68 lbs when she died.

During chemo I did loose all thought about being hungery/eating. Hubby who had seen the last 4 yrs Mom was with us was scared that I might be heading down the road she did, so he called me several times a day to remind me to eat

Majik weight loss drugs? That are 'safe'? Never heard of such things! Operative word 'SAFE'! It would be 'fantastic' if there was. 'Majik Pill' that was SAFE/Healthy that could make everyone a healthy weight. Of course, some do ''speed' but at best it's a 'bandaide'.

Anonymous · July 2015

Hi all,

The mention of the weight loss drug was tongue in cheek. I know no "magic bullet" for weight loss exists, OF COURSE, but my point was that it would probably be better if a safe one were developed so that we could all keep our weight low and have little place to store estrogen (for those of us that are estrogen +) instead of taking anti-hormonals that make so many of us feel like sh*t.

Yeah, it's hard eating 500-600 cals 2x a week and watching the calories closely the rest of the time. And I'm not even hungry from eating so little--it's simply having to be hyper vigilant about one more thing--weight, etc. on top of being hyper vigilant about any signs or symptoms that might clue us in to recurrence. Hyper vigilant about taking our meds, about seeing our MOs, etc. etc. ad nauseaum.

Anyway.

Claire

Hopeful82014 · July 2015

But Claire, if we did have such a pill and it was routinely prescribed for those of us who are ER+, you just KNOW that our 'friends' would be saying 'you're so lucky - you even get to take a weight loss pill as well as your free boob job!'

Anonymous · July 2015

Hopeful--right? See, BC really can be all fun and rewards!

Hopeful82014 · July 2015

Claire, Thumbs up!

windgirl · July 2015

what if u were on starvation mode (despite what you assume about it) and lost because u started introducing more calories? It could be as simple as this and have nothing to do with drugs because what you described is common for people who over exercise and under eat

Kicks · July 2015

"(starvation mode, research proves that's pretty much a mytth, then aneroxics would never lose weight to dangerous levels.)" WRONG! Aneroxics do indeed get to dangerous levels and do DIE from starvation. Starvation is starvation, rather it is self induced, during times of famine or caused by the actions of others denying food (POWs/Concentration Camps).

I have never done a 'nearly triathalon pace' person as a hobby. I have had over the years jobs that required at least as much exercise daily to do the work required - there is no way I could have kept my body healthy on only 1,200 - 1,500 calories a day during those times.

Mentioning it would be better to have a pill to keep us "slim" after saying aneroxics never lose to "dangerous levels" is not a "tongue in cheek".

Kicks · July 2015

"slim" has different meanings to different ones. My exact weight does not matter to me but maintaining the same measurements/'size' does. I might not be what some would think is a good 'size'/weight at 5''6" and 128 lbs lbs, wearing size 4 so for a fit 69 yr old - not bad.

Anonymous · July 2015

Okay, I see I've introduced something that touched a nerve. My point was tongue in cheek and a question: wouldn't it be better to lose weight by taking a SAFE weight loss drug than having to take this anti-hormonal that has so many awful side effects? My other point was that if you read research, good research, about starvation mode, and I have, most science disproves the idea that when we cut calories, we actually hang onto the calories we ingest. Kicks, I don't want to argue with you. Sorry if you don't get my wry humor. I was trying to lighten the side effect mood by saying if we were all at what the recurrence rates suggest we get below (below BMI 25, roughly) and if we could do it safely, it would be better than taking this freaking awful drug that makes our joints hurt and makes us gain weight.

Sorry if I offended anyone. Sometimes I hate these boards as I feel I've tried to be be mostly helpful with sharing, my story about the struggles with losing weight while trying to stay on this drug that might give me a few more years was meant to help, not cause snarky comments. I'm out of here.

dtad · August 2015

I completely agree! It just doesn't make sense....

Weight loss update on anti-hormonals

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