Cancer patients, overweight or fit?

I'm a bit further down the road than you, my overwhelming problem at stage four and after treatment is my lack of fitness so I suspect that getting as fit as possible has got to be a good idea.

foroughsh said:

So loosing weight isn't one

So loosing weight isn't one of side effects of drugs for rcc Mets' treatment?

Hi foroughsh, 

We tend to react to the drugs differently, after the initial loss of body mass and muscle tone from the mets, I hoped things would improve whilst on the Votrient. However for me it suppresses my appetite, also suffering the side effects of nausea and stomach issues doesn't help, I am constantly dropping the odd pound. I stick to a healthy diet to keep my energy levels as high as possible under the circumstances. Exercise became more difficult as things progressed so I took up Qigong instead just to keep things ticking over. 

I don't feel that you have to worry, you are eating right and exercising, you are doing all the right things. Putting weight on is not the answer, keeping your immune system strong along with reducing stress is the answer. Try not to keep worrying about the what if's:)

Djinnie x

Before my diagnosis in July 2013 I had lost about 40 lbs and had no appetite for months. After the nephrectomy I was down to 180 from my 2011 weight of 240. Gained some weight in the next six months and put on 25 lbs during IL2 which I lost in days. I lost 20 lbs in the first two months on Votrient and now seem to have leveled off at 210. I have several size pants in the closet

Footstomper said:

Pants

Definately one of the greater problems of the whole caboodle! I got fat and didnt even lose (any more) of my hair. So no cancer sympathy vote for me!

I've been a jock my whole life. I have weight trained and run for nearly 50 years.  Around 12 years ago, me and some others decided to push our fitness level abit. The goal was to be in the best shape of our lives when we died. What began as a joke was no longer funny. After a good days workout and run, I told my wife that I was feeling like I was in my thirties again. Hours later I was passing blood and was rolled up in a ball with pain. Nephrectomy 2 days later. So fitness doesn't keep renal cancer away. In fact there has been little to blame our cancer on. We all know that obesity and smoking, and diabetes aren't good luck charms but there has been no relationship with direct cause. That is why I recommend pizza and beer as an important food group. After 4 years as a renal cancer patient, (and I'll be one for the rest of my life), I see no reason to change how I live. However staying very fit is what allowed me to be eligible for the Il-2 treatments.

Good Morning!

My husband has been on Sutent for two years and has gained some weight.  He has been fortunate in that he has not experienced nausea and has obviously not lost his appetite!!  His tase is off and he gets a sore mouth, but still manages to eat.  He exercises regularly (45 minute walk or bike ride nearly every day, golf), but probably not as intensely as he used to.  Food is how he/we deal with stress.  His oncologist has not had a problem with his 10-15 pound weight gain, but the cardiologist isn't happy.  So...he is working at losing a few.  It's never easy, is it?!!

Skagway Jack said:

Fitness

I was 208lbs when diagnosed....over the course of the first year after my nephrectomy I gained too much weight and hit a hit a high of about 226.  I can not think of anything good from this, so I am now determined to get below 200 lbs again.   A strong heart and cardiovasular system must be of more value than carrying extra pounds to replace lost caloric intake during treatments.  Fortunately, for me it I have not had to continue treatments....still NED.  I do agree with Fox though....occasional Pizza and beer is good for the spirit and has morale value!

I have almost the exact same situation.  210 or so prior to surgery.  Walked a lot after the surgery and was down to 205.  I pushed up to 217 recently, and I did not overeat during the holidays.  Recently made major adjustments to my diet and exercise, and I am determined to get to at least 190, with a goal of 175.