Weight Gain with Ibrance/Fulvestrant - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Weight Gain with Ibrance/Fulvestrant

Andibo profile image
8 Replies

Hi beautiful ladies. For those on Ibrance/Fulvestrant, have you had weight gain and if so, how are you combatting that? With the combo of Ibrance, Fulvestrant, menopause and an underactive thyroid, I feel like I am at the bottom of a hill looking up and it's going to be a really tough climb! I don't eat a ton each day. My mobiilty is limited since I had spinal fusion and a partial hip replacement. Any suggestions ?

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Andibo
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Carolhelen profile image
Carolhelen

Hi Andibo. I have been on that combo for a year now and although I feel sick for about a week or so and find it hard to eat anything other than toast on those days, I weighed myself yesterday and found that I had gained 12lbs. I'm not sure if it's the medication of the lockdown or a bit of both. It was disheartening though. I know I should eat better (although I am a vegan) but I do feel this medication has a part to play. I'm tired a lot of the time so maybe that's something too.

You sound like you have been through a lot, and although I know how upsetting weight gain can be, look at your achievements!

Stay strong and remember, no matter what the scales say, you're still beautiful!! Keep well.

JKMS profile image
JKMS

Hi there, I’m on lbrance and Letrozole (so not quite the same) and was told I may put on weight but I essentially follow a keto diet and in about six weeks I went from about 63 kilos to 54 kilos. I’m vegetarian as well which was a little challenging at first as veggie diets tend to be quite carb high and keto diets tends to be meat and fish high! So my diet is essentially a juice in the morning and two meals which have to have two cups vegetables, handful of protein (for me tofu/tempeh/eggs) and small amount of healthy fat. I also take a fair amount of supplements all suggested by my nutritionalist. As to whether this will increase lifespan who knows but it has certainly improved healthspan! I guess I’m quite a high energy person anyway and this diet has given me even more energy.

If you can I would maybe try to speak to a nutritionalist - mine has totally changed my relationship with food and my view of cancer.

Andibo profile image
Andibo in reply to JKMS

My doctor is not a keto fan but from the sound of what you eat, you seem to have adapted it quite nicely to include everything you need pretty evenly. Thanks for the guidance!!

Gingerann1 profile image
Gingerann1

I am on the same meds as you, just started my 4th cycle of Ibrance and the monthly Faslodex shots. Weight is stable, my appetite is good which surprised me after losing 23 lbs the first bc go around in 2013 with chemo, rad, etc. I am 62. I eat whatever I want just doesn’t seem to be as much. There are a few days during the Ibrance cycle that I only eat a little, just feel like laying around days. I would suggest small meals and lots of water. The water helps with Ibrance anyway. My exercise is walking. Some days more than others but try to keep moving. Hope this helps.

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz

Have you investigated your thyroid situation thoroughly? It may be that it is an imbalance of the thyroid that is putting on the weight. Are you a member of Thyroid UK on HealthUnlocked. It may be just a simple thing of the incapacity to convert T4 to T3.

Andibo profile image
Andibo

I already am being treated for an underactive thyroid. Doc says it is the Fulvestrant that is the culprit.

AnnaP668 profile image
AnnaP668

I gained 1-2 lbs a month. Everyone said, don't worry about it, so finally I didn't. Only thing is, it wasn't working so now I have to find another treatment.

Verbena1 profile image
Verbena1

Hi, just saw this and thought I’d add my 2c. I’m on both those medications - Fulvestrant for about 3-4 months and ibrance 3 weeks but have to reassess, since it made my WBC super low and dropping. I’ve also noticed weight gain (my face is round like I’ve been out drinking). My appetite is also ridiculous, I seem to be hungry all the time. I didn’t know what was happening, since this is my 2nd round of newer meds. I also had a spinal fusion last year, and was put on early menopause…really miss my period! There are so many changes happening to my body I can’t keep up with many of them. I haven’t yet found a solution to this but if you’ve found anything that’s working well for you, let me know! Hope you’re feeling ok on the meds, I know the havoc some of them can wreak on our systems.

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