Hi everyone, I feel guilty because I have not posted for a while. Apologies, however, when everything seems to be going right, one does not feel the need to post or ask questions. Well, I am back at the posting and asking questions stage AGAIN. I tried Anastrozole (nasty it is), ended up with a spinning head. Then Exemestane and ended up with so much joint pain, I could not go on and lastly, Tamoxifen. I have had side effects, hot flushes, breathlessness, itchy fanny etc., all of which I can put up with, however, I woke up one morning and eventually took stock of my fat tummy. It was massive and I had put on one and a half stone. It just crept up on me during Christmas and holidays abroad, that sort of thing until I realised I needed bigger bras, bigger pants, bigger everything. I have looked at quite a bit of research which states that there are no studies that associate TX with weight gain, but they then go on to say that fluid retention around your tummy can occur. Well, doesn’t that cause weight gain? I decided to take things under control and, using a strict diet and exercise programme, I have managed to lose a stone, however, this is soooo not anywhere near previous programmes pre TX. I have had to almost starve myself during the day and eat a decent meal in the evening as well as walk 6 miles everyday, half of which at elevated heart level (hills etc). I make sure I get a balanced, nutritious diet so my body is not missing out on anything but for goodness sake, this is ridiculous. I am getting quite worried because I had a Bone Infusion last week and they said my BP was high 170. I have never had high blood pressure EVER and I was very concerned that the massive layer of fat around my middle (despite losing one stone) contains a lot of visceral fat (fat around the organs, and they are all in there) was contributing to high BP which is not good. I have tried to speak to GP, still waiting for that and hopefully speaking to Breast Care Nurses, I just wondered if anyone else was going through this. I appreciate that, in the scheme of things, taking drugs to stave off Cancer is a wondrous thing and I am very grateful, very grateful. I just wondered whether someone could say…‘yeah, just drink some steamed grapefruit’ or, ‘if you eat two cucumbers a day, it just melts off…’ I know my body, my fitness levels and my calorie intake and it is way out of sync. Would love to hear from anyone else who has similar problems. Take care ladies xxxxx
Hiya…. Glad it’s not just me!!! Don’t mean that in a funny way but have been wondering since about May why my clothes were tighter and my tummy was getting rounder. I am very active and never had a problem with weight but now I feel flabby and seem unable to shift it all. I’ve only put on about half a stone but it’s all around my tummy. I’m on Tamoxifen since April 22 and no problems until now!!! Got all the usual Tam side effects but coping with them ok as I know it’s a means to an end…. Hopefully!!! Invasive Ductal with DCIS also in December 2021. Lumpectomy with lymph node clearance and radiotherapy.