Weight gain

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Vinceandjera
Vinceandjera Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1
Holy cow! I am a cow! My cute 145 pound precancerous body to a year later 173 pound body and rising! I thought you were suppose to lose weight when you got cancer not swell up like a puffer fish!? Anyone have this experience and what did you do about if. I really don't think a diet is the answer for me right now and frankly exercise exerts to much energy that I don't have.

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  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #2
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    I have heard that wonderful Decadron is the culprit
    Yes, I am having that problem too. Right after chemo I lose 5 lbs for the first week. The second I gain back water weight, and the third my appetite comes back with a vengeance. I think that trying to make good food choices even though the mind says, "I want a do-nut" we have to reach for a Courtland apple, which by the way are about to be ripe in my neck of the woods. And the Oncologist says to do yoga. She suggested the yoga type that pregnant or menses women do which is less strenuous during chemo. So its off to the library web site to order that DVD for me!

    The weight gain is bad enough...its the cost to replace the clothes I just can't afford with the medical bills rolling in.
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #3
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    Yep, it's the decadron.
    Yep, it's the decadron. I've been on it for a little over a month and gained 4-5 lbs.

    For me, I try and walk for a little bit every day. I shoot for 20-30 minutes but sometimes it's only 5-10 minutes around the block. And of course, "they" are right...that little bit of exercise does actually help with my energy overall. Yes, sometimes I have to drag myself out the door and really focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Music as I walk usually helps too.

    As for diet, here's a list of natural diuretics. I've done lots of watermelon this summer, it's helped control my lymphedema and the swelling from the decadron. Portion control is also key for me.

    Apple cider vinegar -- is a natural diuretic and helps maintain potassium levels.
    Artichoke -- natural diuretic
    Asparagus -- contains asparagines, a chemical alkaloid which helps flush the kidneys.
    Beets -- attacks floating body fat and fatty deposits.
    Brussels sprouts -- cleanse the cell and stimulate thought kidneys and pancreas.
    Cabbage -- breaks up fatty deposits.
    Carrots -- speeds up metabolic rate and helps remove fat and waste from the body.
    Cranberry juice -- aids in the removal of excess fluid from the body.
    Cucumber -- stimulate the kidney and aid in the removal of uric acid.
    Dandelion And Dandelion Leaf -- natural diuretic, and leaf key aides in the detoxification of the urinary tract.
    Green tea -- natural diuretic and has been used for centuries in China.
    Fennel -- has a calmative and diuretic property.
    Horseradish -- speeds up the metabolism and helps eliminate fluid.
    Lettuce -- aids in metabolism and flushing of toxins from the system.
    Nettle -- has natural diuretic properties.
    Oats -- contains silica in natural diuretic.
    Tomatoes -- are rich in vitamin C that aids metabolism in the release of water from the kidneys.
    Watermelon -- natural diuretic helps increased urination.

    It also helps me to remember that weight is an issue for people without cancer too. I hope you find the gentle exercise that works for you.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #4
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    Not as worried about weight
    Not that I condone being overweight. I worry not so much for body image as I do for health reasons. Keeping active in a variety of activities will insure that while you may not be outright exercising you are still benefitting your body from your activities of daily living. Here are some examples. Vacuuming, gardening, dusting doorframes (for the reaching effect), not parking so close to the store so that you can walk. Take the stairs if you are only going up a flight. Get up out of the chair every time there is a commercial on the TV and do anything whether housework or exercise. Even these short bursts of activity add up over the course of a day and puts you in better shape for when you are feeling better.
  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    #5
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    laughs_a_lot said:

    Not as worried about weight
    Not that I condone being overweight. I worry not so much for body image as I do for health reasons. Keeping active in a variety of activities will insure that while you may not be outright exercising you are still benefitting your body from your activities of daily living. Here are some examples. Vacuuming, gardening, dusting doorframes (for the reaching effect), not parking so close to the store so that you can walk. Take the stairs if you are only going up a flight. Get up out of the chair every time there is a commercial on the TV and do anything whether housework or exercise. Even these short bursts of activity add up over the course of a day and puts you in better shape for when you are feeling better.

    ...
    Unfortunately, I don't have any answers for you. I also have gained weight...all my life it seems I always weighed about 100lbs. I could always eat anything and everything and never gain a single pound. But somehow all that has changed and I must've gained at least 40+lbs. Maybe it's being slammed into a chemical induced menopause, I really don't know.

    (((Hugs)))
  • Vinceandjera
    Vinceandjera Member Posts: 4
    #6
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    Thank u
    Thank u everyone! I agree with u all. I love the natural food direutics list. And it's a great idea to do something activity wise in between commercials. I too have tried to walk 15 minutes a day and build up from there but sense I started taxol I've been really out of sorts. Taxol has turned my world upside down! I only have three more rounds and then I am done. I sure hope I lose the weight. Today my mentally size 6 body is going to buy size 14 clothes just sp i have pants to wear to work come Monday. Oh well I suppose the end is near. Praise God! Gain weight for me was harder than losing my hair. I guess it's because you can hide you lost your hair but you can't hide the weight gain.
    Thank u everyone!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #7
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    Vinceandjera said:

    Thank u
    Thank u everyone! I agree with u all. I love the natural food direutics list. And it's a great idea to do something activity wise in between commercials. I too have tried to walk 15 minutes a day and build up from there but sense I started taxol I've been really out of sorts. Taxol has turned my world upside down! I only have three more rounds and then I am done. I sure hope I lose the weight. Today my mentally size 6 body is going to buy size 14 clothes just sp i have pants to wear to work come Monday. Oh well I suppose the end is near. Praise God! Gain weight for me was harder than losing my hair. I guess it's because you can hide you lost your hair but you can't hide the weight gain.
    Thank u everyone!

    I bet you will lose the
    I bet you will lose the weight once you are done with taxol. Walking is great exercise, I think the best, so, try to whenever you feel like it. You've already been through a lot and still are going through a lot.


    You take care,

    Megan
  • rallendorfer
    rallendorfer Member Posts: 244
    #8
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    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Yep, it's the decadron.
    Yep, it's the decadron. I've been on it for a little over a month and gained 4-5 lbs.

    For me, I try and walk for a little bit every day. I shoot for 20-30 minutes but sometimes it's only 5-10 minutes around the block. And of course, "they" are right...that little bit of exercise does actually help with my energy overall. Yes, sometimes I have to drag myself out the door and really focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Music as I walk usually helps too.

    As for diet, here's a list of natural diuretics. I've done lots of watermelon this summer, it's helped control my lymphedema and the swelling from the decadron. Portion control is also key for me.

    Apple cider vinegar -- is a natural diuretic and helps maintain potassium levels.
    Artichoke -- natural diuretic
    Asparagus -- contains asparagines, a chemical alkaloid which helps flush the kidneys.
    Beets -- attacks floating body fat and fatty deposits.
    Brussels sprouts -- cleanse the cell and stimulate thought kidneys and pancreas.
    Cabbage -- breaks up fatty deposits.
    Carrots -- speeds up metabolic rate and helps remove fat and waste from the body.
    Cranberry juice -- aids in the removal of excess fluid from the body.
    Cucumber -- stimulate the kidney and aid in the removal of uric acid.
    Dandelion And Dandelion Leaf -- natural diuretic, and leaf key aides in the detoxification of the urinary tract.
    Green tea -- natural diuretic and has been used for centuries in China.
    Fennel -- has a calmative and diuretic property.
    Horseradish -- speeds up the metabolism and helps eliminate fluid.
    Lettuce -- aids in metabolism and flushing of toxins from the system.
    Nettle -- has natural diuretic properties.
    Oats -- contains silica in natural diuretic.
    Tomatoes -- are rich in vitamin C that aids metabolism in the release of water from the kidneys.
    Watermelon -- natural diuretic helps increased urination.

    It also helps me to remember that weight is an issue for people without cancer too. I hope you find the gentle exercise that works for you.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Thank you Linda
    for the list. I am already trying to stay on some of those foods, but see some I have missed. I have brussels sprouts growing in the garden, should be ripe after the first frost. YUM! With cider vinegar on them...:-P

    Does anyone else have a craving for buttermilk. I just can't seem to get enough of it! Crazy.
  • Pinky68
    Pinky68 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #9
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    Megan M said:

    I bet you will lose the
    I bet you will lose the weight once you are done with taxol. Walking is great exercise, I think the best, so, try to whenever you feel like it. You've already been through a lot and still are going through a lot.


    You take care,

    Megan

    Weight Gain
    My weight was exactly the same as yours!! I was 144 then got up to 173..I was weighed today at onco visit and down to 166..So yes, it is coming off and I'm sure yours will too..For me, I think the weight gain was from inactivity as the 12 rounds of taxol kicked me hard...The red devil(Adrymiacin/cytoxin) for 4 rounds didn't make me as fatigued, and stayed busier...
    Take care,
    Joyce
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #10
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    rallendorfer said:

    I have heard that wonderful Decadron is the culprit
    Yes, I am having that problem too. Right after chemo I lose 5 lbs for the first week. The second I gain back water weight, and the third my appetite comes back with a vengeance. I think that trying to make good food choices even though the mind says, "I want a do-nut" we have to reach for a Courtland apple, which by the way are about to be ripe in my neck of the woods. And the Oncologist says to do yoga. She suggested the yoga type that pregnant or menses women do which is less strenuous during chemo. So its off to the library web site to order that DVD for me!

    The weight gain is bad enough...its the cost to replace the clothes I just can't afford with the medical bills rolling in.

    I might be big but glad I am here
    If I have to live my life a size or two larger than what I think I should..whether I am a size 8-10-12-14-16-18 or 22 (and yes over the course of my life I have worn all those sizes)I will be thankful that I am here. I don't think being overweight is the healthiest state to be in by any means but for me it is a better state to be in than fighting to keep weight on as a cancer patient with no control over the way the disease is wrecking my body. So if the medication I take makse me "fat" so be it. I am "fat" because I have that option to take the med and live. Weight is the least of the things to worry about in my life. If I can get up and move today, I am thankful. If I have the ability to taste the food that nurtures my body I am thankful. If people look at me different because I am "fat" I can deal with it, if people look at me different because I am bald, I know inside they wonder why and I just smile to help let them know I understand their stare.
    No being fat is not healthy, neither is dying of cancer.

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