Does Chemo make you gain weight? If so why?
I have put on so much weight since diagnosis, still active. Drinking more wine but feeling pretty sorry for myself. Fat, bald and lopsided!
I’m thinking I’ll start back at Rosemary Conley in the new year ( I lost 2 1/2 stone last year)(now all regained thanks to BC). Is this a good idea with my last two tax in January? Then radiotherapy for 5 weeks?
Anyone?
love Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
Are you taking steroids? They’ll make retain fluid and increase your appetite. I’m also concerned about weight gain. I have problems keeping it in check normally, not as active now as I was and don’t want to look like Colonel Kurtz out of apocalypse now :o(
I don’t think it would do any harm going to Rosemary Conley - eating healthily can only be good for you, just make sure you’re taking enough calories to repair yourself.
Let us know what works for you so I can do similar.
Cheers
Ang
Hi Vanessa
I am also struggling with my weight. I had 3 lots of FEC and didn’t put on weight but as soon as I started Taxotere the weight went on. I’m too scared to get on the scales now and although I’m not overweight I just don’t like the way my clothes feel. I had lost quite a bit of weight due to nervousness when all this started but it seems to have piled back on and more. It’s so hard as we lose our hair, eyelashes and brows some people lose nails, feel rubbish and to top it all we put on weight - it’s not fair is it.
Anyway I’m trying to keep on check on what I’m eating right now as I know I’m consuming far more chocolate than I should be.
I think whilst you’re on steroids it is really hard to think about losing weight and is best to wait until you finish chemo altogether.
Best wishes
Rebz xx
I am having exactly the same problem, lost weight at the beginning due to the shock but now after each FEC treatment the steriods disrupt my eating and sleeping patterns. Not only am I feeling lousy after the treatment but my mouth feels yuk so I eat to try and get rid of the taste (which obviously doesn’t work because it is still there after I have eaten!).
I think I will chill out and worry about losing the weight after my chemo finishes although I still have the op and radiotherapy to get through.
Take care and enjoy the good days and hibernate on the bad ones (if you can!)
Love
Caroline x
Hi ladies,
Like you I also lost weight initially and then put on one and half stone during and after treatment with FEC. Most of the weight gain seemed to be on my abdominal area and I felt like Humpty Dumpty. I had to go up two clothes sizes. I felt very uncomfortable and hated looking at my new self in the mirror.
That was 5 years ago and my weight has gone up and down since but I’m pleased to say that for the past year, I have now returned to my original weight of eight and half stone. My wardrobe is bursting at the seams with 3 sizes of clothes as I don’t like to tempt fate by giving away the larger sizes.
Wendy x
Hello everyone
After losing over a stone earlier this year its all gone back on again, good job I kept the larger size clothes! My face looks like a chipmunk with the steroids! Hoping that when the chemo finishes I can get control of my weight again.
Alison x
Hi Caroline,
just want to pass on a tip to you - I found pineapple chunks from a tin were great for taking that yucky taste away.
Angie
Hi All
I have put on at least a stone and half since I started chemo. Hopefully now I have reached the end of chemo (3 weeks ago) am hoping I will start to lose it although am eating like a pig still and can’t stop stuffing my face with chocolate!!! HELP!!!
Take care
Love
Dawn
x
Seems I’m not alone then girls. Yes I take steriods before and four days after my FEC. First Taxotere (docetaxel) next Tuesday so RebzAmy you have me worried more there.
Vanessa
Sorry to have worried you Vanessa. A lot of it for me though is because I’m just eating for the sake of eating because I’m bored and I’m not working and not really doing anything much. I try to keep busy and go out with friends for coffee and walks. I know I’m eating more especially chocolate as I was given so much when I had my operation. For me it’s just a lack of will power right now and boredom. Not everybody puts on weight due to the treatment.
Rebz
Glad I’m not the only one who’s put on weight… they say steroids don’t help, but as I only took them for a couple of days after each chemo treatment, I don’t think I can blame that… just the lack of willpower at the moment, the desire to comfort eat a load of rubbish and thinking “What the hell…” I’ve got enough to worry about other than my weight!! When I finish radiotherapy at the end of January, I’ll put my mind to losing it… I’ve also signed up for the Moonwalk, so reckon that once I start training for that the pounds will drop off… I HOPE!! Think I’ll throw out the smaller sized clothes as I doubt I’ll ever fit them again… !!!
AliS