Hi
Saw oncologist on Monday who confirmed chemo will start soon.
I naively thought that weight loss would be the "silver lining" but my CSN shattered that illusion.
What has been your experience? And if you gained weight, how much, how quickly and did it stick around ?
Thanks
Carole 😍
I've lost around 1.5 stones in weight. The 'chemo diet' has done it for me, but not sure that's a silver lining!
I lost a couple of stone but have now begun to put some back on again still got one more chemo treatment to go 😫
Hi Carole,
Ive lost lot of weight before diagnosis, then during the surgery and after debulking surgery for stage IIIc OC. My chemo had to be rescheduled as I was to weak and to thin after surgery. I was getting nutridrinks but I couldnt take them. Eventually i have started put my weight on, but very very slowly (eating nearly all day just very small portions). Now a year after chemo I wish to loose some weight. Menopause and habit of chewing something all the time making me fat ;-). So dont worry, you will gain the weight, you just need some time, try to eat more often, small portions.
All the best, take care
Zaneta
Sorry to say I've put on weight, gained about 2 stone over the last 3 years of treatment!! I put most of it down to lack of activity due to other problems and the steroid munchies!! The good news is now I'm off treatment it's coming off nicely and I've already lost over a stone.
Don't eat big meals but try not to 'graze' your body soon gets into the habit of having food all the time and when I snack it tends not to be healthy snacks. Try to eat a healthy balanced diet and you should be ok.
I ate like a horse during chemo and put on a stone ...sorry! X
I've lost 2 stone but I had 2 stone to loose and I am now at my recommended weight for my height. I have changed my diet so that has an impact. I try to eat nutrient rich foods and don't think about the calories. Increased my exercise and to be honest never felt better.
Everyone is different and we all handle chemo in different ways. Take each chemo one at a time and do what feels right for you. It does pass quickly, soon you'll have 3 under your belt and then you'll see the finish line.
Good luck
Mxx
I gained weight throughout my chemo. The first week I did lose but that was because of dreadful sickness and nausea and I lost 8 lbs over the weekend BUT once they sorrted out my tablets that didn't happen again thank goodness. I put on about 3 lbs each chemo session so about 1 stone 7 in all. Some of it was due to when my tastebuds came back after about 10 days and me rediscovering food and some of it I understand was the steroids. I've now lost about 6 lbs and don't look big but still have to lose the rest.
Clare
I have gained a lot of weight. I thought it would be the opposite but the steroids make me very hungry
Hi Carole, I can see from the responses that this was really mixed. I had problems eating due to nausea and everything tasting metally. So I lost lots of weight. But since finishing I've begun to put on a few pounds. I ate a bag of m&ms yesterday - first time I've wanted chocolate/sweets since before my op in April!
The food I could manage during chemo was quite fruit based - apples, melon and rich tea biscuits. Plus eggs and the odd bit if toast. If you do feel sick then search around for foods that you can tolerate, eat whenever you can - small amounts every few hours if you have problems.
I know I will put more lbs on and I shall start to focus on home cooked food and veggies. I just need more energy to get going in the kitchen.
Good luck,
T. X
Thanks ladies
Definitely a mixed response. I can afford to loose 1.5 stone so am hoping this happens rather than having a weight gain as a gain will depress me even further !!
I lost a lot of weight early on in my treatment due to a bowel blockage. I had had only one dose of chemo. Looked like a scrawny chicken!!! The hospital put me on a high fat diet. Chemo continued fortunately as they knew the cause of the weight loss. Put on only about 1 lb a week. Treatment continued as planned and now back to my normal weight. One of the things I had was milk shake drinks containing vitamins. You can get them on prescription or buy over the counter. I had to have them with full fat milk and then add a dollop of Cornish clotted cream ice cream to it! It's hard to put weight back on. Could you ask to see the dietitian at your hospital for advice . Good luck xx
Hi Carole,
My weight has stayed the same, and that is with me fasting for five days every three weeks!
Jenny
I put on around 10 kilos during my 6 rounds of Carbo/Taxol (22 lbs, or about 1.6 stone.
However, my doctors and nurses were MUCH happier about the weight gain than the would have been about weight loss.
I know where you are coming from. I too felt that being model like should be my cancer perk. Sadly I have been cheated of this. My weight did drop when I was first diagnosed and again after my surgery but as I was feeling so crap I did not get the benefit! Once I was feeling better my weight returned.
I have read that Ovarian is one cancer which is likely to lead to weight gain rather than loss. Where's the fun in that!
Joking aside I suppose my body size is pretty low on my list of what is important these days. I certainly am not going to spend any of my precious time worrying about it. The bigger I am the more of me is still here and the longer it will take to get rid of me.
Weight gain after chemo
Hair loss.
