WEIGHT LOSS

[Glasstop]

I have been on ibrutinib 280 mg for almost 2 years. I only weigh 107 lbs. I have lost about 10 lbs since I started taking the drug. I eat a lot but cannot seem to maintain my weight. My numbers all look good. I know weight loss is unusual on this drug. What do you think the problem could be?

[LeoPa]

The problem is that your calorie intake is lower than your calorie expenditure. You say you eat a lot. What do you eat? There are apps and online calculators that help you to count exactly how many calories you ingest everyday. Try to track exactly how much of what you eat during the day and sum the calories up. Then you will see exactly whether your belief that you are eating a lot is true or not (objectively). If you find out that you eat 3,000 calories a day and you are still losing weight report it to your doctor because he needs to know about it.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

I had the opposite problem with Acalabrutinib. My oncologist said maybe 4 pound weight gain. Mine is 15 pounds, although I probably look healthier! I was too thin before I started!!! LeoPa’s suggestion of using an app to track calories and what your eating may be helpful. I have been doing that. I actually have a 2 pound weight loss due to being mindful, cleaning up my diet, and staying within a certain caloric range. Hope the suggestion of the app will be helpful! Take care!👩‍🦳

[Flute117]

I went from 125 lb to 110 lb during V+O treatment but my weight loss was due to diarrhea and not much of an appetite. I worked with a dietician who helped immensely. I also used the “Lose It” app to track my calories and some days it was a real struggle to even get 1200 calories. I found that drinking Ensure (or Boost) helped add more calories to my diet and was healthier than adding cookies and other unhealthy snacks.

Definitely speak to your primary care physician as well as your specialist. Also see if your treatment center offers free nutritional guidance through a dietician or nutritionist. I was trying to eat healthy foods - more fruits and veggies, lots of salad - which tend to be low in calories. They had me add natural peanut butter, hummus, cheese to my diet to increase my caloric intake along with the fruits and veggies.

[Katie-LMHC-Artist in reply to Flute117]

Kachava is another good protein powder drink if your in the US! 25 grams per 2 scoops to make into a smoothie!