Did you gain or lose weight?

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abatract
abatract Member Posts: 18
edited October 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I've heard it can go both ways, so I'm wondering which one happened for you. I'm newly diagnosed (Thursday), and start chemo as soon as my test results come in, and I'm trying to learn as much as possible, including side effects.

Due to a thyroid issue that took forever to get my levels down to normal, I gained 55 pounds this past year, going from a size 2/4 and 125 pounds to 180 lbs and about a size 16.

I'm really unhappy with my body, and know this isn't a healthe or comfortable weight for me. On top of everything else, I feel like I just. can't. handle anymore weight gain. This is all so awful and scary and confusing, and it just feels like one of those things that I'm worried about/is just totally overwhelming (and one of the tangible things that's less scary to focus on). I know I'm going to go all sorts physical changes with chemo, but from the past year, I also know how much this type of change can strongly effect me. So I just want to be prepared. Thanks so much

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Comments

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited October 2017

    My weight remained the same.

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  • Mommato3
    Mommato3 Member Posts: 633
    edited October 2017

    I agree with KB that it's going to depend on the type of chemo you get and how your body reacts. Unfortunately, I went from 125 to 143 by the time I was done with chemo. It was a combination of the steroids and my body going through menopause due to the chemo. The good news...I was able to take off the majority of the weight after treatment with exercise.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited October 2017

    I haven’t finished my chemo still have 8 more weeks to go, I lost about 6-7 lbs. I lost appetite on days and I tried to eat on the good days.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2017

    I too am hypothyroid. When I was going through A/C infusions, I maintained weight. First week I barely ate and second week I made up for loss of appetite. I ended up gaining around 10 pounds on the Taxotene. I didn't feel any nausea and the steroids made me feel hungry all day. The Herceptin and Perjeta I'm on now give me diarrhea so I think I may have lost a pound or two.

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  • Leatherette
    Leatherette Member Posts: 448
    edited October 2017

    I lost probably 15 lbs since starting chemo, and had lost 10 before that due to anxiety about the diagnosis and the surgery. I just weighed myself and am up 5 lbs. It fluctuates. I was not hungrier when I've taken steroids. I have not had diarrhea or vomiting, I just haven't wanted to eat anything much of the time bc it tastes bad.

    My oncologist has not been worried, but I weigh a different amt on every scale they put me on, and they weigh me fully clothed.

    I was a little overweight before this all started, so if it all comes back, no big deal, and if it stays off, that's fine, too

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited October 2017

    I've gained weight, I seem to be hungry a lot, especially on the steroids. Trying to be careful but have decided once chemo is over I'm hitting it hard!

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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited October 2017
    Would lose weight week immediately following each treatment as just could not stomach a large amount of food. Carbs were all I could eat so a bagel, buttered rolls, French fries, mashed potatoes, toast, and crackers in small amounts. I lost the weight just because I wasn't eating the volume I usually eat. Once I started eating after the nausea wore off after each treatment weight came back on. I finished at same weight I started at.
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  • Neanie44
    Neanie44 Member Posts: 73
    edited October 2017

    After 1st treatment 2 1/2 weeks ago, I lost about 10lbs because of the diarrhea and no appetite. My treatments are every 3 weeks, so by the end of the 2nd week of the 1st treatment, I felt better and could eat more, so I have gained 4lbs back, but seem to be holding steady. Unfortunately, most foods except desserts have no taste, so that is another factor. My next treatment is 10/13, so I will see what happens this go round. Important to do--Drink plenty of gatorade and eat peanut butter crackers. It's something about the combo that helped me.


    Praying for all of our healing.

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited October 2017

    I lost weight through chemo, about 15 lbs. Initially, with AC I was nauseous and then with Taxol, I couldn't taste anything. I still can't taste much at 8 months PFC. I do eat good sized meals but healthier. I don't seem to be able to put much weight back on.


    Good luck!

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited October 2017

    I lost 40lbs before diagnosis with a calorie limit and daily walking, I lost another 25 during chemo because it messed with my taste buds making food taste like ass sweat, ugh. Kept it off though and am working on losing more, slow and steady at about 1 lb/week.

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  • Flynn
    Flynn Member Posts: 307
    edited October 2017

    I gained a couple pounds during AC. During the last 6 weeks of taxol & carboplatin, I have gained at least 8 pounds. I think it's the steroids not being offset by nausea. My medical center offers nutritional counseling so I asked for an order to see a dietician. Hoping to get more firm guidelines on how much I can work on this during next 6 treatments. I don't want to make choices that are counter productive.

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  • MzPriss
    MzPriss Member Posts: 38
    edited October 2017

    I'm down 20 pounds and almost half way done with TCHP probably due to diareah ad nothing tasting good.

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited October 2017

    I gained around 10lbs, I could NOT stop eating, it was horrible! I lost most of it and am back to my usual weight.

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