letrozole & Ibrance weight gain

[JenniJenni]

Hi everyone, hope everyone is having a beautiful day. I have been on letrozole and Ibrance for the past year, and they have done wonders for my condition, as far as being able to walk again and not be in pain. The side effects were minimal for me, all but the weight gain. Has anyone else experienced this? Also, if so, what measures have you taken to try to get the weight off? I have gained 10-15 lbs ans nothing I do works to get this extra weight off . Iam so grateful for these medications, I just wish that I could get back to my normal weight ❤️

[Nocillo]

I’ve gained weight and when I asked my second oncologist about losing it she said,” I think that ship has sailed “. 🤷‍♀️ I am just glad to be alive, but I don’t like the extra weight. It’s not me, but I guess it’s the new me. And I’m not going to deprive myself eating what I want at this point!

[Hidden in reply to Nocillo]

I'm exactly the same. I lost weight when first on Ibrance and Letrozole as everything tasted bland. Appetite came back and I've regained the weight plus some more. I don't really like it but I'm so grateful to still be alive with very few side effects, I've accepted the weight gain. I try to eat healthily but don't deprive myself. Go for a walk most days and enjoy doing what I can when I can.

[Sweetpea1970]

Hello, yes Ibrance and letrozole are working well for me too in terms of keeping everything stable. But like you, the weight gain has been significant. Since I started on the treatment, I've put on 2 stone (28 pounds) which has really got me down. I think the fact that I've been put into chemical menopause (Zoladex implants) is likely contributing too. I decided to take action this week after getting a bit depressed about it - I eat very healthily anyway but I think I just cannot/do not need to eat the same quantity as I did before. So basically, portion control. Whether this will help it is a bit early to say. But I'm determined to take back control!

[Contrarielle]

I had 3 years on tamoxifen, zoladex followed by oopherectomy, exemestane, trial of letrozole and ibrance- once they stopped working and I changed to chemotherapy i stopped gaining weight. Some of it was reduced exercise due to fatigue but i think a lot of it was the hormone manipulation drugs.

[Discocat]

Hello We're about the same age and I'm on the same meds plus Zoladex implant monthly and Zometa infusion also monthly. I try to stay active. I garden, walk and do 2x 1 hour long pilates classes per week...but I've also gained weight despite eating healthy. My oncologist pushed me to try to lose weight at the start of treatment when I was first diagnosed almost two years ago. It was pretty hard then but by being extremely controlled with portion size and eating mainly just vegetables drinking lots of water and most probably also all the worry and stress of my then recent diagnosis I managed to drop weight and lost about 15 kilos in around 4months.

Now I've gained half of that back...and dieting doesn't seem to shift anything, although I haven't been as strict as I was before as I don't wait to deprive myself of nutrition that is so far keeping my blood work good and energy levels are also stable.

So it really is a balance that I'm reluctant to jeopardise. I do plan on asking my oncologist next time I see her what she thinks. Last appointment was postponed due to Easter holiday and as my bloodtests were all good etc....so at least that's a positive. I see her in June. In the meantime I will try to lose a few kilos before that🤞

Best wishes

Zoe

[Ilovehorses]

I had been on tamoxifen for nearly 10 years when I was diagnosed with Mets to my sternum. I was put on Ibrance and letrozole and lost about 5 lbs. Try intermittent fasting, where you have 12-16 hours between your last meal and your breakfast. It has worked wonders for me at maintaining my good weight

[Mimigram in reply to Ilovehorses]

I agree, intermittent fasting is the key to controlling cancer and weight gain.

[Kahe]

Hi JenniJenni, I have been on letroz, ibrance (125mg) and Faslo for a year now, mets to right lung, stabilised disease. I feel well and exercise approx an hour a day (walking & pilates/weights) . I follow a healthy diet. Despite all the exercise my weight remains stable, have neither lost nor gained weight (I am slightly overweight, approx 3 kgs), I have however dropped almost a size in my clothes due to toning up . In the past month I have started eating between 9am and 5 pm, I think this is really helping my energy levels, haven't weighed myself so not sure if its working for weight loss yet. Good luck on your journey 😀

[genealogy74]

I just complained to my doctor about my weight creep -- about a pound a month. She also said that my meds are contributing to this. I also have aortic stenosis and I'm scheduled for a valve replacement in a month. She's hoping after that (with a corresponding improvement in breathing) that I'll be able to increase my activity and hopefully improve.

[wendle3007]

From what I understand, our ovaries burn a lot of calories when they are working so when they stop, either naturally in the menopause or enforced by treatment, those calories don't get used hence weight gain or slowing down of weight loss

[Fun2garden]

Hi Jenni! My current treatment plan is ibrance and monthly fulvestrant injections. I have always been considered slender until I went on cancer meds. I too have gained 10- 15 pounds. I have dealt with this issue 4 ways. One, I am so grateful to be alive, I accept the weight gain as the price I have had to pay. Two, I walk daily if at all possible, although the injections don't help some months. I have recently seen a slight decline in the weight which I put down to getting out more now spring has arrived. Three, I have donated all my clothes that no longer fit me. I decided making myself feel guilty and miserable every time I take out an item of clothing that no longer fits is not helping me. I have a lot less clothes but I feel good in what I own. And four, I try to stay away from sugar and junk food, which is not always easy. I hope this helps in some small way. Sending you hugs!

[JenniJenni in reply to Fun2garden]

awww… thank you for this ❤️ it’s so tough, I’m trying to do the intermittent fasting now, just sometimes I feel faint while doing it. I have also gotten rid of a bunch of clothes that no longer fit, it’s tough, having gone through a mastectomy, and being in remission, to having it come back in bones and more places than it originally was and being on these meds. I never feel well anymore… I’m just trying to smile and hang in there for my children and mom. God bless you, sweetie… sending you love and big hugs ❤️