By the sounds of the last couple of posts I reckon some of us herceptin ladies could even compete in the Sumo wrestling competition in the Olympics too!
I was thinking of the shot as well ha ha x
Yes!!! I was 10st 4lb when diagnosed and very quickly dropped to 9st 10lb immediately after diagnosis in March 2011. During treatment I put weight on and by New Years Day this year I finally hit the ultimate 11st 8lb!!! The heaviest Ive ever been!!! Ive been dieting since New years Day and today Im 10st 13lb. Its taken me 2 and a half months to lose 9 lb. It soooo difficult to lose it. Could this be the Tamoxifen?
And why do we put the weight on? I assumed it was because I stopped going to the gym/spinning and was being taken out for lunch all the time by lovely friends, but it seems everyone puts it on no matter what. There are even leaflets about weightgain during breast cancer treatment!!!
Why do we pile this weight on?
Hi mango chutney
I lost weight whilst having chemo as I couldnt eat but since starting herceptin i have put on a stone!
I dont know what it is but i wish it would nick off. I did used to be more active but a year and a half of no exercise has put pay to that. Im trying to walk 2 miles a day to build up my stamina and see if it helps me lose weight so far I havent lost a thing 
Well done on your weight loss :0). Keep it up xx
I was 10st 2lb when diagnosed, dropped to 9st 13lb whilst on chemo and by the end of my Herceptin 11st 13lb. I have never ever been that heavy. Am now down to 11st 9lb but stuck.
No consolation probably but when I mentioned this to my chemo nurses, they said “oh yes, Herceptin does that to everyone”.
I am hoping that over the next few months as it is coming out of my system the weight starts to move.
Even after only a month I feel so much better.
Sam
Hi all,
I’m finding the weight thing annoying too. I’m over a stone heavier than I was at start of treatment. I’m now more active than I have been for months and I’m watching what I eat, but it is not going down. I’m just worried I’m going to keep putting it on. My aim was to be able to move into the lower weight dose for herceptin, but now I’m concerned I will have to tell them I’ve moved into the higher bracket!!!
xxx
No consolation cheerytom but mine has stopped going up now I have finished Herceptin. Had my last one on 2 Feb. But it has yet to start going down apart from an initial 4 lb.
It does take 6 months to come out of your system apparently, so am hoping that over the next few months it starts to shift.
I didn’t know they had weight brackets for the doses, maybe that’s why the weight goes on quickly at the end.
Samlee
Encouraging to hear you have lost weight after finishing herceptin. I finished last month also but nothing lost yet.
I didnt know they had weight brackets either?! Hmmm… Well heres hoping we can shed the pounds soon girls
Im sure picking up all the hankies should help too :0)
Kim x
I had to be reloaded yesterday as my op at the end of January meant I had to miss a couple of doses. Before my reload my weight was checked to make sure my dosage was correct.
Love your new photo Kim - very appropriate!
Sniff, sniff!
My weight has stayed pretty constant, I was reweighed half way through herceptin course.
I went to a BC support group near me on monday, they did a session on exercise as my breast surgeon is doing some research. A physio led the group and said that there is as much as a 50% reduction in cancer recurrence rates in women who take up regular exercise post BC.
The physio also said that thoughts are changing regarding lymphoedema risk after axillary node clearance. I had this surgery last June, and was petrified into not lifting with my affected arm for fear of lymphoedema. Yet just this short time later, research is suggesting that we can be very active with our arms and do strengthening exercises and weights (built-up gradually) and this can actually cause regeneration of new lymph nodes and therefore reduce lymphoedema risk!!!
So maybe i’ll get back to tenpin bowling then, I really enjoy that.
Interesting to read that some people have been told the Herceptin makes you gain weight. I hadnt been told that. But maybe thats the reason why Im really struggling to lose my weight. Im also on Tamoxifen and I know that makes you gain weight and I just assumed it was that.
Ive been really good dieting and watching what I eat so its so frustrating when it hardly makes a difference to my weight!
I read somewhere you’re more prone to BC if you’re overweight, and I know oestrogen is stored in fat cells, which is the main reason for trying to shift this weight.
Like you Kimmie, I’m trying to get a bit more active/walking but doesn’t make a scrap of difference either!!!
Ive also had a"fuzzy" head the whole time Ive been having treatment. Not a headache as such, it feels as though Ive been whacked on the head with a hard back book!!! Like a dull fuzzy feeling. Not sure of the cause; chemo? Tamoxifen? Herceptin? Anyone else had this?
Mandy xx
I wasn’t specifically told that Herceptin caused weight gain, its just that I gained most of my extra stone in the last 3-4 sessions of Herceptin. When I mentioned this at my last treatment in general conversation about hoping that it would shift, one of the nurses just said oh yes, most women find they put on weight, like a sort of after thought.
Can’t comment on the Tamoxifen really. I was on it for a couple of months and had such horrendous side effects am not taking it at the moment. Might be giving it another go at some point, but not sure yet.
I definitely feel less “fuzzy” now a few weeks without treatment have gone by, but again if you are on Tamoxifen you might still feel “fuzzy” because of that.
Sam
Mazzalou - I couldnt resist putting that picture on and giving you all a giggle. Ha ha.
Truddles - Interesting to hear what the physio said about exercise. I use my arm all the time, lifting the hoover etc and touch wood my arms been fine.
Mandy - I hadnt been told that herceptin causes weight gain either just that chemo can.
Im sure if we persist with regular exercise the weight has to come off hasnt it??!!
I had a fuzzy head with chemo like a foggy feeling. Its not so bad now but still dont feel anything like I did before diagnosis, just hoping that and chemo brain disappears in time. I dont have tamoxifen but im sure that will contribute to you still feeling fuzzy.
Oh to be a woman eh?!
Take Care xxxx
Hi girls
Just checking in to say hi and hope your all ok
Kim x
Hi Kimmie. Yes, still sniffing away here!!! Had my 13th Herceotin last Friday and then woke up Sunday with a cold, so nose running even more!! (if thats possible!!)
Mandy xx
Hi all had my 16th on Thursday so been a bit out of it the last couple of days! I can’t get over the tired thing it is getting worse! never mind onwards and upwards two to go yippeee!
Also had my mammo and got results whilst having ‘H’ and it’s clear! so double whammy! I hope you have kept them there tissues handy says she realising she needs to stuff more up her sleeves before going to work!!! Where are we up to on the Olympics? Em xxx
Too busy training to post I’m afraid Emmy.
Mind you, having the hosepipe attached to my nose whilst I water the garden does mean that I am saving an absolute fortune on paper hankies though and can also go sleeveless as no need to have somewhere to store those tissues either - freedom at long last!
Mangochutney, sorry youve got a cold but I’m sure your nose wont run any faster!
Emmy great news on your results,a weight off your shoulders
Mazzalou, I’m glad you’re persevering with the hosepipes and doing your bit for the planet!
Me, I’m a bit grumpy cos I’ve had to stop training for the Olympics, my hips are killing me! And I’m now into 5th day of headache, it’s in the background but never completely going away.
I think I need to get my eyes retested, i’m sure they dont focus like they used to, It’s a bit worrying that a SE of tamoxifen is eye problems
Mangochutney-im sorry to hear your full of cold :0(
Hope you feel better soon x
Emmy-fab news on your results woo hoooooo
Mazzalou-keep up the training
Truddles-im sorry your hips are hurting you and that youve still got a headache, i think an eye test is wise then at least its one thing to rule out. Fingers xd its not the tamoxifen
Kim x
Thanks Kimmie.
I must say, my nose dripping is a lot less.
That is good, as im making cakes for my sons birthday tomorrow, Im sure he’ll be pleased that dripping wont be mixed in with the eggs!
xx