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Weight gain

Erebuni profile image
15 Replies

Hi ladies.Is anybody gain weight after chemotherapy ?

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Erebuni profile image
Erebuni
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15 Replies
Rosellen12 profile image
Rosellen12

Yes, Most definitely! With the Steroids that's given with the chemo, often causes weight gain & loved ones making sure you eat to stay healthy. I gained weight both times I received chemo around 15 lbs each time and struggled to get it back off.

Also, often times your hormones are gone which causes weight gain as well.

It's all a battle.

Erebuni profile image
Erebuni in reply to Rosellen12

Thanks Rosellen .After serjery I gain 30 lb . I promise myself be healthy.

kaki54 profile image
kaki54

Yes. Too much. The chemo knocked my thyroid levels to almost 0. And with steroids and complications from chemo- falling, balance issues, painful neuropathy, neuropathy, fine motor issues, entire small nerve fibers inflamed in whole spinal cord have not been able to get much weight off yet.

in reply to kaki54

I thought I was the only one! My GynOnc is adamant about everyone in his care going on the Keto for Cancer diet and I just cannot do it. I am open for advice. Chemo has caused avascular necrosis in hips, advanced arthritic changes in knees and other joints, feet and hands are mostly numb, balance issues, bronchiectasis, vision issues etc. I am not BRCA positive. I am 69 have been off chemo since June 2018. Doc said I am in remission and my CA125 has been low and steady. Not complaining just wondering if this alien possession is ever going away. LOL Praying for all of us!

Yes, same. I gained about 3lb each cycle! 😬

Archeveritas profile image
Archeveritas

Yes! I have gained 35 lbs since my chemo. How is that possible? It's not like I'm sitting around eating sweets all day. I swim 3 times a week. I'm going to start Weight Watchers (again!) to try and get some off. Non of my clothes fit!😩

22Angel profile image
22Angel

I gained 29 lbs but I've had a total hysterectomy as well so I'm not sure if both issues have contributed to the weight gain. I'm also on maintenance meds. Focus on eating healthy and start exercising. I had horrible body pain and couldn't even lift my arms. I needed assistance getting undressed. I went back to the gym a month ago and started lifting light weights. It was painful at first but have improved significantly. I also take gabapentin for neuropathy/pain and it helps a lot. It also helps me with sleeping better at night.

Steitlk profile image
Steitlk

No, but I had my hormones balanced by my D.O. and take a progesterone pill daily. I have always struggled to keep my weight in check and when I got the stage 3c diagnoses in February of 2017, I instantly lost any cravings for sweets. Over the course of a year I lost 60 pounds. My low was 103 but I am now hovering around 110 pounds. I eat organic fruits and vegetables and a little meat, poultry and fish. I only drink water and tea with stevia. I go drink a cup of warm water with fresh squeeze lemon juice and several times a week I juice carrots and/ or beets and drink a cup. That seems to control things, so I keep it up.

ingrid48 profile image
ingrid48

I've been stage 4 for 8 years, doing well, several rounds of chemo, lots of steroid but now on Zejula. Gained a lot 70 pounds but I'm 70, alive, I see my grandkids and I'm now on vegetables meat fish water tea coffee and exercise, started ballroom dancing and walking and swimming at Y and bought stationary bike.. Lost 13 pounds in one month...

Yes u can gain a lot

And u can live and get fat and see your family

And when you are better you try to get in shape all over again

But your beauty is inside!

Love

Erebuni profile image
Erebuni in reply to ingrid48

Thanks ingrid48 .You right.

Mamaw1 profile image
Mamaw1

Not weight but having a horrible time with bloating and gas. Finished second round of chemo in January 2019. Am on a maint drug zejula.

Vicart profile image
Vicart in reply to Mamaw1

Hi Mama

I too am having a terrible time with bloating and gas. I just started using an Ayurvedic spice mix called Hingvastak made for “extra air” in the system. It can be made into a tea as well as used in food. It does help to relieve the pressure. Also peppermint tea. Hope this helps. 💕

Spirit22 profile image
Spirit22

yes definatley , don't have scales but have gone up a dress size. Had hysterectomy end of oct last year and have 4th cycle of chemo this week. Walk 6 miles a day with my dogs . Friends and family comments are "you look well, filled out, looking good , it suits you etc etc " When when I was saying to family and friends before I had my diagnosis , do you think I have lost weight, my arms are skinny ? etc etc they all said no your'e fine , you don't look like you have lost weight , funny that :D

Still I would rather be gaining a bit of weight than losing it at the moment . Yes Ingrid48 you are so right

X

Quiggs1982 profile image
Quiggs1982

Yes. I gained 40 lbs. I was already big and didn't need to gain more. I think it was all the steroids, and I wasn't very active due to the bone pain.

I'm just happy to be alive! I'm working on losing the weight.

MoonJune profile image
MoonJune

I was overweight to begin with, but lost 20 lbs. when first diagnosed because most food and beverages repulsed me (smell and taste). I hadn't even started chemo yet. Maybe it was nerves? I've had all kinds of chemo combinations for the past 1.5 yrs. and have had periods of nausea (but rarely vomiting) but also periods where food is not a problem at all, or even times when I am really hungry. I have now regained 10 pounds. Can't blame it on anything but how much food I do or don't eat. Portion control and impulse control never been my strengths. I am actually happy when I feel like eating, even if I'm overeating for emotional reasons or from lack of discipline. It somehow makes me feel more normal than if I were slender like in the TV commercials for various chemo drugs. Does this makes sense at all to anyone? After dieting and struggling to keep weight off or lose weight I needed to lose all my adult life, I just decided I think that with this ovarian cancer to deal with, I am not going to stress myself out over worrying about losing weight again. I know this is not a good attitude, but that's the truth of it.