I started Tamoxifen two weeks ago, and have been going to the gym every day doing 6K fast walk on an incline but I havent lost any weight … I eat fairly sensibly and healthily and have started tracking that but just can’t understand why I cant lose weight. I started running again a couple of days ago and have now put a pound on! Help!!!
might be cause muscle weighs heavier than fat… One of the shocks to me during the grotty first week after chemo was that, yes, I lost a pound or two that week (which was all back on by the time I had the next one), but to lose that pound or two, I hardly ate anything! Miniscule portions… sigh… Mind you, I was getting NO exercise at all, so no way of burning off the calories… Disheartening for you, especially since you ARE burning off the calories… must be all that muscle you’re developing… Jane
Good point about the muscle, but it could be fluid retention too. I am a scales junkie -pop on them every morning before breakfast and i can gain or loose up to 2 pounds in 24 hours --that cannot be fat.
The jeans test is the bet way to see if you are loosing fat. If you have a pair of jeans that you can pull up but not fasten keep them as your guide. Try every week to see how they fit. or just measure your waist every week.
hi angielav… when i was put on tamoxifen i gained 2 stone in 2 months… along with other severe side effects… my medication was changed as a result … probably the tamoxifen, well done you on going running and to the gym … angie x
I’m also with the muscle! Have your clothes been feeling any looser? Or maybe measure your waist, thighs, hips and keep an eye on those until your muscles are back to what they were pre chemo.
I’m trying to lose weight too - but no way I could do 6k yet! Respect!! I’m going to use my herceptin weigh-ins as a kind of free weight-watchers.
Are you at least feeling fitter? I’m SO unfit after chemo.
Keep up the good work!!
Xx
Hi Angiem
Could I just ask what medication they gave you to replace Tamoxifen?
I too have gained about 2 stone - and no matter how hard I try I cannot shift it at all and it’s really getting me down 
I also have the other ususal SEs - extreme tiredness, lack of energy, horrible tropical moments etc, etc … sigh.
I’m due to see onc soon so just thought I’d ask if there was any alternative.
Many thanks
Sue x
Yes, feeling very fit … decided to have a day off the gym today … the running yesterday has given me aching legs! Just feel so depressed that I’m putting all this effort in and not seeing a difference on the scales… but I guess the jeans feel a bit looser.
hi suzi… well i went to see my onc after 2 months of taking tamoxifen… i had gained 2 stone and had other vile things happening constant bouts of crying…with no trigger… just sobbing for nothing… i was constantly exhausted… having hot sweats… the first words out of the oncs mouth were… angela you have put on 2 stone in 2 months how do you feel … i burst in to tears and sobbed my heart out … eventually i managed to say … like this all the bloody time…if i aint asleep that is … my onc said i must come off the tamoxifen … by now i was hysterical… scared he was removing my safety net… he was brilliant… he said he had a number of other drugs that did the same job and switched me to exemestain… other name is aromasin … ive lost a stone in weight … my energy levels have risen … ive lost that grey pallor i had my hair shines again im feeling so much better i had my first mammo post cancer in june … and it was clear of cancer … whoop whoop … im not sure aromasin is suitable for everyone… i had a hysterectomy and ovary removal 6 yrs ago so i was post menopausal anyway … but it suits me angie x
Hi Angie and thanku for your response.
I’m going to mention this to the onc to see if I can change from the Tamoxifen - I’ve been on it almost 3 years but don’t know if I’m post meno or not and I’ve still got my ovaries etc.
I suppose some people would say it’s a small price to pay for the protection of the Tamox - but it’s hard enough dealing with the hot flushes and being lopsided (I’m on the list for DIEP) - and trying to work full time … without having the added burden of carting this weight around.
Don’t get me wrong I’m sooo lucky to still be here as I had a very poor prognosis … 17 out of 17 nodes affected … and almost 3 years from dx, so doing well fingers crossed.
It seems the Aromasin is definitely suiting you and long may it continue … so pleased for you that you don’t have to take this nightmare of a drug anymore.
Take care and thanks again Angie - it’s given me food for thought 
Sue x
hi again… like i said earlier , it may not be an option for you… im no doctor … perhaps if you mention to your onc that your having a few problems … he / she may revise your medication… i was fortunate no node involvement … not sure if this makes any difference to the medication … there may be another drug much more suitable … i really dont know… hope all continues to go well for you angie xx
I have been the same weight pretty much all my life. I was lucky to be naturally slim. I was a size 8. I have clothes that used to fit me going back to my university days. I was able to eat what I liked and my weight never changed. Since taking tamoxifen I have out on 2 stone in about 4 months. I have never put on weight. My clothes no longer fit me. Now I have entered the world of dieting. It is completely alien to me. I know people look at food labels in the supermarket so i have started doing the same thing but I do not know what I am looking at!
Naturally I am grateful I am still alive which but of course there is a small complaint. I do not recognise myself when I look in the mirror. Surgery and lymphodema, rads and chemo have all taken their toil. Now weight gain. I don’t even know how to shop for this body. I am going to.the gym and walking the dog and trying to eat sensibly. But it is still creeping up.
Anyone got any tips on losing weight or how to accept a totally different body
OMG (esp @ Tillyb) - I’ve been looking around about weight gain post Tamoxifen and landed here.
I’ve been slim all my life too, size 6, and could eat anything I wanted and not put on weight. Then I started Tamoxifen in January this year and slowly but surely I am growing larger! I used to have boyish hips but now I think I can go learn bellydancing because I have that much love handles and belly and arghh - this feels awful! I’m not doing anything differently but still I gain weight! I’ve upped like 5 pounds in the past few months alone.
I’m trying to exercise - I do Pilates 3 times a week and though I do seem to be getting firmer, I am not losing the weight.
I’m meeting with a dietician tomorrow, so I’ll see what she says and try to let ye all know what she recommends.
So nice to find other women in the same boat - that feels awesome!
Zoe I would be really interested to hear how you get on tomorrow. Anything is worth a try. You are right it is good to know others are in the same boat x