Gemcitabine/Carboplatin question

[TarbonNZ]

Hi ladies. Has anyone had weight rises while on Gemcitabin/Carboplatin. ,My weight is increasing about 2kgs per cycle and is definitely not food driven . Thanks Therese

[Hidden]

Hello, mine has, i’m now the weight I was when 9 months pregnant! I managed to keep things on a level for the last two cycles but that was being super careful with food.

I’m now on a mission to lose a stone but not finding it easy! 🤪

[TarbonNZ in reply to Hidden]

Yes really weird as I do not have much of an appetite, and for one cycle I was on mainly fluids as a result of an ulcerated mouth. I eat small meals and mInimum junk. I have also had only a couple of glasses of wine over the entire period as it does not agree with me currently. Could not believe it when weighed today and another 1.9 kilos in 3 weeks?

[Hidden in reply to TarbonNZ]

How many cycles have you had now? I’ve just finished my six and I’m now on Avastin only. X

[TarbonNZ in reply to Hidden]

Just on my third. While CA125 is reducing each time, unfortunately they felt something in my upper abdomen on Friday, I have had some discomfort for a few weeks. C T scan next week. Had to have two units of blood after chemo on Friday also, as severely anaemic. This combination of drugs while it has less of the symptoms I had with the Carbo/Paclitaxel, it is brutal on the immune system and bloods. They reduced the Gemcitabine by 20%on Friday to try and reduce the impact. Always worry when they reduce the drugs, they had to do that with the Paclitaxel last year because of nerve damage, and I wonder whether that was why I had a recurrence. Avastin is not funded in NZ, it can be purchased but is extremely expensive. II will be asking about clinical trials. X

[Hidden in reply to TarbonNZ]

Hello, it sounds like you have had a tough time but good news your CA125 is reducing. I’ll let you know how I get on with the weight reduction! I have a whole wardrobe of clothes waiting for me! Take care and let us know how you get on with your regimen.

Lisa x

[Hidden]

Could’ve steroids that we take. They do boost appetite xx

[TarbonNZ in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying. My appetite has actually been reduced, as I have had ulcers, and then have been ill with an ongoing chest infection for a few weeks.

[Caroles1]

Hi Hun,

I’m not on that concoction, not on anything really, but find since having oc the weight is gradually going on, I lost 12 lbs in the last 4 months, but find it hard, is this now another little fascet of this lovely disease?

Cxx

[Hidden in reply to Caroles1]

Hi C,

Have you been following anything in particular? I’m desperate to get into my clothes, currently in dungarees! 🤨 any advice gratefully received. X

[Caroles1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi love,

I can only put it down to cutting down on carbs and portion control. I eat less pasta, only danish bread and very little potatoes.

I also run around after a toddler and 4 year old 3 days a week, lots of laughing and silliness, maybe it’s a state of mind?

Don’t eat sweets or chocolate, it is bl.....y hard!

I’m not skinny, I’m a 16 and would be happy to get to a 14, I was a 10 when I was ill and looked haggard, just be happy and healthy in yourself,

Love Cxx

[TarbonNZ in reply to Caroles1]

Exactly. My Oncologist tells me not to worry about as it, it is the least of my worries. However it does just add another thing that makes you feel gross.😣

[coksd]

It happened to me on avastin and I went juicing for breakfast and lunch and had a light dinner and cut out dairy changed to vegan milk and yogurts and I lost the 2kg over the next 3 weeks and maintained it for the 3 weeks after. You have to be so careful with food I cut out bread too.

[LittleSan]

Yes, exactly the same for me four years ago. I unfortunately haven't lost it since either. Problem is, I'm eating generally healthily but I'm still not as active. Xx

[TarbonNZ]

Bummer. It is so demoralizing when you know you havn’t done anything to make this happen. I asked the a Nurse if they needed to have their scales re-calibrated, and she told me they are accurate. Going to the Oncologist now has two points of apprehension, first the unavoidable weigh in and then the progress news with Oncologist. Can’t win.

[Hidden]

I’d check the steroid dose you’re on see if it could be reduced.

[IrishMollyO]

Hi Therese

Putting on extra weight has been an added upset with this disease . I briefly lost weight after having ascites drained before treatment but my appetite returned to normal quickly. While on treatment I was told that losing weight was not good while on it as they can give you a higher dose if you are at a higher weight!

Having had the added unwelcome extra diagnosis of BC last Nov and the subsequent treatments I’m now gaining even more weight helped on by taking the hormone blocker Anastrozole ! I’m now facing more treatment for yet another recurrence in my lymph nodes with a lung node added to the mix ! However the weight keeps on going . If you have a vision of me stuffing my face all day it’s not true . I eat a normal three meals a day . Recently I met a nurse who works on the US and she has advised me to try to reduce or get rid rid of dairy products from my diet. I’m trying the almond milk and olive oil butter with great difficulty ! She also told me that in the hospital she works in that chemo patients went straight on to an exercise bike after infusion !

I do think that either the disease or the treatment upsets the metabolism somehow. It seems so unfair that we have to suffer this added humiliation of people telling you how great you look when you know you are facing more treatment or worrying about the inevitable recurrence. If anyone has the answer please let me know !

XXX

💚💕

[TarbonNZ]

Thanks for your reply. I am so sorry for all of your added diagnoses, I am very apprehensive at the moment re my scan this week and what it will show. The weight is just an unwanted add on. I, like you, am not stuffing my face, in fact I have a reduced appetite. The 1st line treatment last year produced significant weight loss, and the ascites drain took off another 5 kilos, however when I finished treatment, weight piled on. The Oncologist said that this is normal as your body adjusts to life without treatment. I had lost most of the weight back to my normal weight when I started 2nd line treatment this year, and it has just piled on. Like you, people keep saying to me you are looking so healthy, I have to grit my teach, as most of the time currently I feel like death warmed up. I am not sure of the answer, it is just good to have the support of the members of this ‘family’, and It does become a family, where you can share your innermost thoughts and more importantly fears with honesty, and. You are understood by people in the exact same position. We are from all over the world, yet distance is nothing when you are a member of this group. As the Maori’s say, Kia kaha, (stay strong). Xxxxx Therese