weight gain after treatment
weight gain after treatment Has anyone the magic answer to weight gain after treatment?
I’ve put on 2 stone since my chemo and radiotherapy finished. I’ve been on Tamoxifen since January but 3 weeks ago switched to Arimidex - so far no change. It doesn’t seem to make any difference as to how little I eat and I’m walking 3 miles a day, it’s so frustrating.
Also hot flushes, curse them - mine are more like power-showers - anyone any ideas - I can’t have anything oestrogen endusing as that is the cause of my cancer.
Susannah
Hi Sadly weight gain seems to be very common , especially for those on Tamoxifen, and my breast care nurse said it is very hard to shift. I have been on Tamoxifen for 3.5 years and haven’t managed to shed any of the 1.5 stones I have put on. Depressing, isn’t it?
Weight gain Hi
I have put on about 2 stone since I was diagnosed with BC last year. I asked my oncol dr if this was normal and he said this was prob down to taking Tamoxifen. I am at the gym 3 nights a week and have tried eating less but nothing seams to work.
Sometimes it seams never ending!!
Wish I could help. Keep in touch on how you go on with Arimdex.
Vodkasue
Blimey Oh pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee dont tell me that.
having last CMf next month and have put on about half a stone already its bloomin ridiculous to think i cud put on more on tamoxifen i shall feel more depressed about that than the soddin cancer.
Aint all this crap why cant i go back to the ‘real’ me.
Ruth xx
Liverbird Don’t panic!
I put on 2 stone from diagnosis to end of chemo (4Xepi and 4X CMF) in March this year
I was told that I was unlikely to lose it in fact the proposed Tamoxifen and zoladex regime would probably make it worse!
I decided that i could either accept my new size 14 (Verging on a 16) or I could make MODERATE efforts to see if i could get anywhere near my pre-diagnosis size 10 . I joined Scottish slimmers and went out walking with friends 3 times a week and have lost a stone and a half in 8-9 weeks.
I didn’t go on a deprivation diet, just substituted healthier options for fattening ones, drank plenty of water but to be fair, I think I was just lacking in inspiration and the recipes in scottish slimmers are really tasty and you can chop and change the menus about so it did make it easier.
It may not work for everyone but its worth a bash!
Fee x
p.s. I’ve found that the tamoxifen has made little or no difference to my weight except in that I’m probably carrying an extra 2-3 pounds in fluid!
Dear Ruth,
I’ve already found a few things that I think might be helping. Firstly, I’ve discovered Manual Lymphatic Drainage - this is a massage techinque (only to be carried out by qualified therapists or nurses) that channels all the excess fluid (and it’s mainly excess fluid rather than fat that you start to carry) through the correct lymph channels. Your breast care nurse should be able to give you some numbers, or you may be able to get the treatment free if your lucky. Mine costs £35.00 per hour and I try to go once a fortnight. I only wish someone had told me about this as soon as my chemo finished and the fluid retention probably wouldn’t have been so bad - as it was, I discovered it 7 months down the line and had has my posting told you, put on the extra 2 stone!
It really made a difference from the very first treatment.
I was sick (or felt sick) nearly every day during my chemo and the minute the treatment finished, I was so releived to be able to eat again, I probably went a little ott. I had huge sugar cravings and wasn’t doing much exercise. I thought that when I went back to work a few months later, the weight would just drop off, but that didn’t happen. I’ve decided to be very strict with myself - If you can get through cancer, you can do anything.
You may laugh out loud but, apart from cutting out bread and sugar, I bought a pair of MBT trainers - they’re a type of exercise trainers, which promote good posture and can help weight loss -several of my work colleagues have used them and swear by them. Used them over the weekend and my legs were aching like buggery so they must be doing something. I’m so determined not to stay a fatty I’ll try anything!
Yes, I agree, it is crap, not only have you to go through the indignity of hair loss, sickness etc but just when you come to the end of your chemo and radio and think “great all I have to do is get better now” - you discover that even something as simple as getting into your regular clothes it going to be difficult.
Hope this is of some help
susannah
HI I`ve heard about these trainers. Can you tell me a little more. Are they around in sports shops. thanks
Frances
mbt trainers My MBT trainers are really helping me combat the weight gain. They take a bit of getting used to but you can really feel the leg and waist area toning up.
There is a web site for them (look under MBT trainers) but I got mine from a branch of Sweaty Betty’s.
susieb mbt trainers Hi susieb help where can i get mbt trainers never heard of them, I am willing to give anything a try. put sweaty betty,s in search engine but does not show anything about trainers just lingerie. Do you know of any sports shops that sell them. any help would be welcome thanks VAL
WEIGHT GAIN i TO HAVE GAINED OVER 2 STONE, WOULD LOVE TO LOOSE
THE EXCESS FLAB BUT GET SCARED IF ANY POUNDS COME
OFF IN CASE THE CAUSE IS SOMETHING MORE SINISTER.
iT IS EARLY DAYS FOR ME SO PERHAPS AS THE TIME GOES
ON THIS FEAR WILL SUBSIDE. COME ON LADIES THERE IS
MORE TO LIFE THAN BEING A SIZE 8, A VOLUPTOUS SIZE 18
HAS A LOT OF APPEAL. THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE, SINCE TALKING TO PEOPLE MY ANXIETY LEVELS HAVE HALVED.
iI RECOMMENDED THS SITE TO A FRIEND AND SHE HAS BEEN]
OVERWHELMED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE,
THANKS TO YOU ALL. GILLY
weight gain on chemo i’ve always been vegetarian but went vegan while on chemo.i know its not everyones cup of tea but just telling you ladies that even I put on over a stone during chemo and am only back to my old weight now- nearly two years down the line. I,m not hormone positive so cant say tamoxofen stopped me shifting it sooner.
Slimming World Hi
I too put on 2 stone after treatment finished over 2 years ago. I crept up on me. I had FEC then Tamoxifen now on Aromasin. In April I decided to try Slimming World and have lost 12lbs. I am really pleased. It is slow coming off, about 1lb a week but the trend is downwoard and considering it took over two years to put it on then I don’t mind it being a slow process. I also feel fitter and have more energy. The group is very supportive and fun. It’s worth giving it a try. Google Slimming World to find a group near your home.
Good luck!!
Mo
xxxx
Slimming World Hi
I too put on 2 stone after treatment finished over 2 years ago. I crept up on me. I had FEC then Tamoxifen now on Aromasin. In April I decided to try Slimming World and have lost 12lbs. I am really pleased. It is slow coming off, about 1lb a week but the trend is downwoard and considering it took over two years to put it on then I don’t mind it being a slow process. I also feel fitter and have more energy. The group is very supportive and fun. It’s worth giving it a try. Google Slimming World to find a group near your home.
Good luck!!
Mo
xxxx
Managed to loose weight I pitched my daughters old Scottish Slimmer books and have lost just over a stone while on chemo,as soon as possible I’ll go join a slimming group. Theres more than enough of me, with out adding any more.
Glo
Weight gain Hi there all,
I too put on 2 and a half stone during treatment 7 years ago and have found it very hard to lose. I stopped taking tamoxifen 18 months ago and thought then it would all drop off easily BUT… not an ounce did I lose! After 6 months i decided I had to do something and like someone else in this thread I joined Slimming World. I have lost 2 and a half stone in the past year and have eaten for England! I’d recommend it to anyone struggling!
Love to all,
judy
Weight gain Tamoxifen does seem to have this effect on certain people (although I know one who has lost weight on Tamoxifen). My friends have all put on at least a stone in weight (me too) and are finding it hard to shift.
Just another plus to this sh***y disease!
Love
Anne
xx
Wieght Gain Hi there
I too have put on weight since my mastectomy and starting Tamoxifen and felt awful. I have manage to loose 7lbs so far - very slowly but did it by cutting back on snacks and trying to eat the right things…what ever they are. I found a great book tho that has helped put some of it in perspective and helped me see a more positive side of things. It is easy to read and full of good tips. It is called The Midlife Fat Cell by Debra Waterhouse and I got it on Amazon. It explains all about fat cells, problems caused by Oestrogen and why we find it difficult to loose the weight. Something about when Tamoxifen or the start of the menopause stops/reduces the Oestrogen levels our body tries to protect us. It is all wrapped round the Menopause - the lead up to this and coming out the other side. It is the first book in a long while that made me smile and understand that it is not all my fault and there are some things I can do to help.
It is very depressing when you can’t move the weight and added to everything else it is hard. I am a comfort eater so my weight goes up and down like a yo yo depending how I am feeling. The hot flushes are hard also…I take my Tamoxifen as I go to bed and that seems to help as well.
God sometimes don’t you just hate the fact you are a woman!!!
Ah well hopefully things will improve for us all.
Deb X
Thank you Deb That books sounds most interesting. I shall order a copy - you obviously found it useful.
Anne
xx