I am about to start my first chemotherapy , can anyone offer any advice on keeping the weight down ? I have had a mastectomy and feel like I am coming to terms with this vile disease and all through from diagnosis to treatment I have being trying to focus on the positives one being that I may loose some weight HElp pLease
I have found that my weight only goes up after a chemo visit due to the liquids that are pumped through you I loose it within 2 days. I eat sensibly. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer in March I had lost 3.5 stone on the Slimming World plan and I am determined not to put it back on! I stick to the plan, which allows you to eat plenty of free food and allow myself some treats due to the almost absence of alcohol. I am convinced that you can put weight on if you don’t eat enough which can happen whilst the nausea feeling of chemo lingers if you don’t make your self eat! Hope this helps!
One of the big problems I found is that because everything tastes horrible you are tempted to keep munching on things to try and take the nasty taste in your mouth away whether you are hungry or not! So having healthy snacks to hand helps…
Hi Bella
it doesnt help having steroids which are designed to increase appetite and gain weight.
I didn’t take the steroids for the FEC x 3…(oncologist was happy with this) … they are not compulsory.
I have actually lost 2 kg while on the FEC… I aim to eat 1,500 calories daily… which is anything I fancy and is healthy
However I will have to have the steroids for the Taxotere (T of the FEC-T) to prevent allergic reaction …
So if I do gain weight it will only be during the final 3 sessions …
Antisickness (Emend) is excellent so hopefully you will not be sick…drink plenty of fluids…aim for at least 1.5 litres daily
Hope this helps xx Donna