Weight loss

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pinkkari09
pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Pinks, I'm having a bit of trouble with weight loss and the onc. done seem to be too concerned (never thought I'd complain of losing weight). I'm triple negative stage IIIc, had 4a/c 15 taxol, bilateral mastectomy, ovaries, expander placement, 25 rads and reconstruction. She has a pt scan scheduled for September but I'm dropping on average a half pound every couple days. In April I weighed 148 now I weigh 116, 32 pounds in 2 and a half months. I have had a ton of stress, my husband was cheating on me during treatments so I left him after 13 years, school, and a lopsided chest but stress has always been a part of life and I never lost this much weight before. I'm wondering if anyone else has and if it pertained to cancer and what I should be looking for because obviously my doc is not concerned.
A Little Scared,
~Kari

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  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
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    weight loss
    I don't want to scare you as your weight loss could indeed be from many of the experiences that you are experiencing. When my dad was dying, I lost about 25 lbs without really trying. I just was that preoccupied and stressed. I was so thin that even my daughter was trying to feed me. I am 5' 6" and weighed about the same as you at my thinnest.

    However, if you are eating the same amount, I would be concerned about unexplained weight loss and might explore the option of a second opinion. Because, to put it in simple terms, cancer cells eat more than regular cells.

    "Cancer causes metabolic alterations which increases energy consumption and alters the way in which the body processes protein, fat and carbohydrate."
    http://www.nutritionincancer.co.uk/en/cancer-and-nutrition/undernutrition/why-do-you-lose-weight-with-cancer.html

    You are going to have to really pay attention. Are you eating less? Or are you eating the same or more and losing weight? Everything in your post makes me think that you have probably just lost your appetite and are truly consuming less?

    Please keep us know and you are in my thoughts and prayers!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
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    CypressCynthia said:

    weight loss
    I don't want to scare you as your weight loss could indeed be from many of the experiences that you are experiencing. When my dad was dying, I lost about 25 lbs without really trying. I just was that preoccupied and stressed. I was so thin that even my daughter was trying to feed me. I am 5' 6" and weighed about the same as you at my thinnest.

    However, if you are eating the same amount, I would be concerned about unexplained weight loss and might explore the option of a second opinion. Because, to put it in simple terms, cancer cells eat more than regular cells.

    "Cancer causes metabolic alterations which increases energy consumption and alters the way in which the body processes protein, fat and carbohydrate."
    http://www.nutritionincancer.co.uk/en/cancer-and-nutrition/undernutrition/why-do-you-lose-weight-with-cancer.html

    You are going to have to really pay attention. Are you eating less? Or are you eating the same or more and losing weight? Everything in your post makes me think that you have probably just lost your appetite and are truly consuming less?

    Please keep us know and you are in my thoughts and prayers!

    any other symptoms perhaps
    any other symptoms perhaps it could be something with your thyroid?
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #4
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    carkris said:

    any other symptoms perhaps
    any other symptoms perhaps it could be something with your thyroid?

    Very good point
    A simple thyroid panel blood test can quickly rule that out and thyroid issues are very common in women.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    I lost 40 lbs during the 4
    I lost 40 lbs during the 4 A/C, surgery, and 12 weekly Taxol - another 5 during rads. I'm 5'6" and I went from 178 to 134. I've been able to hold in the 132-134 range since but it is a challenge. Taste came back quickly after Taxol but appetite still hasn't. Rads said it would come back after the end of them (25). Was done with them mid March and still have no appetite. I get told to be patient - it will come back but I don't know. It is scary to me (and more so to Hubby) as Mom was a life long anerotic which basically means she committed suicide slowly and there is no way I want for Hubby to have to go through seeing what it does again, or for Sons (they were babies when Mom died) or G-daughter to see that.

    So far I'mn being told that it just takes longer for some to get it back and that it will come back. I see my Chemo and Fad Drs Aug 30th and my PA early Sept (don't remember the date) so i'll be asking again.

    Can't help you but to say prayers with you.

    Susan
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    #6
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    Rague said:

    I lost 40 lbs during the 4
    I lost 40 lbs during the 4 A/C, surgery, and 12 weekly Taxol - another 5 during rads. I'm 5'6" and I went from 178 to 134. I've been able to hold in the 132-134 range since but it is a challenge. Taste came back quickly after Taxol but appetite still hasn't. Rads said it would come back after the end of them (25). Was done with them mid March and still have no appetite. I get told to be patient - it will come back but I don't know. It is scary to me (and more so to Hubby) as Mom was a life long anerotic which basically means she committed suicide slowly and there is no way I want for Hubby to have to go through seeing what it does again, or for Sons (they were babies when Mom died) or G-daughter to see that.

    So far I'mn being told that it just takes longer for some to get it back and that it will come back. I see my Chemo and Fad Drs Aug 30th and my PA early Sept (don't remember the date) so i'll be asking again.

    Can't help you but to say prayers with you.

    Susan

    Have your thyroid levels checked
    I starting losing weight after my chemo...I have lost 11 pounds in the past month. Had my thyroid check and TSH level was .04. Dx with hyper thyroidism. He said my thyroid was always a bit low over the years but never that low. They say they don't know whether the chemo caused it or not. I am having an ultrasound on my thyroid this week to make sure there is not a tumor or anything on it.
    Lorrie
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #7
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    Balentine said:

    Have your thyroid levels checked
    I starting losing weight after my chemo...I have lost 11 pounds in the past month. Had my thyroid check and TSH level was .04. Dx with hyper thyroidism. He said my thyroid was always a bit low over the years but never that low. They say they don't know whether the chemo caused it or not. I am having an ultrasound on my thyroid this week to make sure there is not a tumor or anything on it.
    Lorrie

    levels
    Hey Lorrie Just wondering doesn't that low count make it hypothyroidism not hyper?
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
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    waffle8 said:

    levels
    Hey Lorrie Just wondering doesn't that low count make it hypothyroidism not hyper?

    Hypo = low; hyper = high
    Low is hypothyroidism and sauses weight gain
    High is hyperthyroidism and causes weight loss.
  • Balentine
    Balentine Member Posts: 393
    #9
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    Rague said:

    Hypo = low; hyper = high
    Low is hypothyroidism and sauses weight gain
    High is hyperthyroidism and causes weight loss.

    Ditto what Rague said
    My doctor said they don't really worry until it gets down to 0....I am not far from that now though.
    Lorrie
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #10
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    Balentine said:

    Ditto what Rague said
    My doctor said they don't really worry until it gets down to 0....I am not far from that now though.
    Lorrie

    I lost over 70 pounds since
    I lost over 70 pounds on chemo, had lost all desire to eat. hated sweets. now I have an appetite, but feel like the slate was wiped clean and I eat much less than I used to and good things. I am not skinny but dont need to lose any more weight. sometimes i think do I have diabetes? is this too good to be true? its gotta be something? but truely my eating habits have changed, for the better. So i am hoping this is my new normal as I hated being overweight, and its not healthy, esp from a BC standpoint. P.S. I am not continuing to lose weight but did drop 8 pounds afterwards.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #11
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    carkris said:

    I lost over 70 pounds since
    I lost over 70 pounds on chemo, had lost all desire to eat. hated sweets. now I have an appetite, but feel like the slate was wiped clean and I eat much less than I used to and good things. I am not skinny but dont need to lose any more weight. sometimes i think do I have diabetes? is this too good to be true? its gotta be something? but truely my eating habits have changed, for the better. So i am hoping this is my new normal as I hated being overweight, and its not healthy, esp from a BC standpoint. P.S. I am not continuing to lose weight but did drop 8 pounds afterwards.

    Just made a liar out of
    Just made a liar out of myself, didnt eat much on sunday and dropped 2 pounds, I remember if I dont eat enough I lose weight, prior to chemo I could not eat for 3 days and gained 2 pounds, will have to mention this again. let us know if you find out anything.
  • Mariannemm
    Mariannemm Member Posts: 136
    #12
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    Opposite
    I have the opposite problem I have gained over 25 pds! I too have had some stuggles in my marriage but it hasn't cost me to lose weight. I don't have enough energy to exercise, walking is about all I can do at this point. And that is short distances! I start rads this week. I had 4 AC and 12 taxol, started tamoxifen 3 weeks ago. I am a stage 3. Wish I could just loose half of it for now! Marianne

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