Get Rid of Weight from Tamoxifen

stillgood
stillgood Member Posts: 46
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Ladies, you're wonderful. You've given me really good information in the past. I've posted every now and then since May through my negative mammogram, core biopsy, bilateral mastectomy, implants, chemo, and tamoxifen fears. In need you again. Well, I started taking tamoxifen on January 1, 2003. I've gained at least 10 pounds and I feel very thick. My doctor tells me that tamoxifen does not cause weight gain. I think that is a bunch of bull. Anyway, I have the weight. Has anyone experienced this weight gain while on tamoxifen and if you have, how did you get the weight off. How did you get rid of that thick feeling. Do you know if the tamoxifen slows down the metabolism and that's why the weight gain? I've read some of the old posting on tamoxifen, but did not see a way to get rid of the weight. As you can tell, I'm crazy about weight gain. I figure I've lost my breasts and I at least want to keep my weight manageable. HELP ME PLEASE. I'm not a happy camper. To think that I will continue to gain weight and not be able to lose it for 5 years makes me crazy. My family will have to roll me around (smile).
Look forward to hearing from you. I'm sure I'll post again when some other stuff comes up.
Linda

Comments

  • maryhare
    maryhare Member Posts: 2
    #2
    Hi, This is my first post....so here goes. I started Tamoxifen in August 2002. I've nearly starved myself and still gained 20 pounds. Im also am very weight consious. My Dr. also says that Tamoxifen is not the cause of my weight gain. I admit since being dx that I'm not as physically active. I had surgery Feb. 28 and had both breast removed. After the surgery your right. I do look alot thicker in the middle. Anyway, just this morning I packed the winter clothes away and yep, all my summer clothes are either too tight or not even possible anymore. I guess Its all about exercise. Hope this helps. I also have all the other yucky side-effects of Tamoxifen, but i wouldnt stop taking it for nothing. This web site has been so helpful. Everyone here is so nice. Mary Hare
  • stillgood
    stillgood Member Posts: 46
    #3
    maryhare said:

    Hi, This is my first post....so here goes. I started Tamoxifen in August 2002. I've nearly starved myself and still gained 20 pounds. Im also am very weight consious. My Dr. also says that Tamoxifen is not the cause of my weight gain. I admit since being dx that I'm not as physically active. I had surgery Feb. 28 and had both breast removed. After the surgery your right. I do look alot thicker in the middle. Anyway, just this morning I packed the winter clothes away and yep, all my summer clothes are either too tight or not even possible anymore. I guess Its all about exercise. Hope this helps. I also have all the other yucky side-effects of Tamoxifen, but i wouldnt stop taking it for nothing. This web site has been so helpful. Everyone here is so nice. Mary Hare

    Thanks Mary. I guess I'll just have to live in the gym cause I've watching my food intact and nothing is happening except the weight keeps coming. We seem to be in almost the same place. So far I don't have any of the side effects that I feared so much from tamoxifen. I postponed taking it for 3 months because I was so afraid of the side effects. Just a little tingling in my legs is all I have so far.

    Anyway, Thanks for your reply. Take care of yourself. You said you had bilateral mastectomy. Did you get implants? I have implants. Not as comfortable as I thought they would be. Can you share your experiences. I'm not sure that this is the correct forum to share. If you care to, my address is ljpayne1014@cs.com

    Thanks again
  • joycey
    joycey Member Posts: 4
    #4
    I have gained 15 lbs. since my breast cancer diagnosis . The weight gain is from menopause-lack of hormones , slower metabolism.That is why you notice the thickening of the waist so much. Recent article in the paper from studies suggest that. They do know that women after breast cancer have weight problems. I was always very thin. Now I have to watch my diet carefully & restrict calories. I've read that it is better for women who have bc to restrict calories for some reason helps prevent reoccurence. I also had bilateral mastectomy,tram flap recon, chemo & herceptin. Hope this was helpful.
  • stillgood
    stillgood Member Posts: 46
    #5
    joycey said:

    I have gained 15 lbs. since my breast cancer diagnosis . The weight gain is from menopause-lack of hormones , slower metabolism.That is why you notice the thickening of the waist so much. Recent article in the paper from studies suggest that. They do know that women after breast cancer have weight problems. I was always very thin. Now I have to watch my diet carefully & restrict calories. I've read that it is better for women who have bc to restrict calories for some reason helps prevent reoccurence. I also had bilateral mastectomy,tram flap recon, chemo & herceptin. Hope this was helpful.

    Thanks so much for your information. Every bit of information I receive helps me complete my life puzzle. Just try to get all the piece to fit. So much the doctors don't tell you about the kind of living you have to do after cancer. Extra worry about my weight was the furthest thing from my mind. I guess I better keep out that calorie counter. Thanks again. Let's keep our spirits flying high.
    Linda
  • monkeyboymommy
    monkeyboymommy Member Posts: 14
    #6
    Linda: I've been taking tamoxifen since October and I know what you are talking about. That thick feeling I believe to be "bloat" or water retention. My homeopathist had me try PB-8, its acidofolus cultures. Found in health food stores. That worked for a while, I took them every day and they helped me not to feel that way. Also the onco gave me a direuretic (sp)? He gave me lasix too because I told him that I was a lot heavier than I had deserved to be. The lasix helped, I'm gonna call him on Monday because I'm retaining water again. (My consumption vs. my output is out of whack)
    HOpe this helps you.
    Peace.
    Lori
  • vwathome
    vwathome Member Posts: 4
    #7
    You know, it makes me angry when I hear that doctors say that certain side effects are not the result of medication, particularly when it even laypeople like me can read about it in published medical reports. Anyway, my oncologist calls it The Tamoxifen Twenty, and says he considers it a triumph when a patient doesn't put on at least twenty pounds within a year of starting tamoxifen, and keeps telling me to stop beating myself up because I can't lose it. Anyway, both he and my gynocologist have both said that weight gain on tamoxifen is extremely common. It's not you.
  • n2gr8books
    n2gr8books Member Posts: 8
    #8
    Hi, everyone, this is my tamoxifen story...! Just finished my 5 yr. course in December 2002. I was diagnosed in 1/97: lumpectomy, chemo (Adriamycin x 4 and CMF x 8, then radiation) I gained 30 lbs during my chemo from 135 to 165 (I'm 5'8") I think I just gained the weight because when I felt like eating I ate anything I wanted! I don't think I gained weight on Tamoxifen, just have have a very, very difficult time getting it off. (I'm 52 now) I was thrilled to have lost about 5 lbs. a month or so ago, but alas, it was only because of the prep for a colonoscopy!! Not a recommended weight loss plan! PS. Colonoscopy results were great! I never had any other problems w/Tamoxifen. Don't feel any different after taking it than I did before taking it. Take care all...Deborah
  • KatieGirl924
    KatieGirl924 Member Posts: 2
    #9
    vwathome said:

    You know, it makes me angry when I hear that doctors say that certain side effects are not the result of medication, particularly when it even laypeople like me can read about it in published medical reports. Anyway, my oncologist calls it The Tamoxifen Twenty, and says he considers it a triumph when a patient doesn't put on at least twenty pounds within a year of starting tamoxifen, and keeps telling me to stop beating myself up because I can't lose it. Anyway, both he and my gynocologist have both said that weight gain on tamoxifen is extremely common. It's not you.

    I am so happy to have found this site and so happy to find that I am not the only one who has gained weight on Tamoxifen. I have just about made myself nuts over it. Dieting for a month w/exercise and lost only 2 lbs. Doc's say it's all in the mouth and not the med. Seems stable at the additional twenty lbs. but sure is a struggle to lose it (and it's all aroung the waist) Any ideas for additional weight loss?

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