Weight gain

newhopechurchli
newhopechurchli Member Posts: 126
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I gained so much weight while on treatment - around 40 lbs... It's a year later and I still can't lose it! Is it me - or is anyone else having a really hard time losing?
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Comments

  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #2
    Weight Gain ~ Good Topic
    I am not sure why but this is common for a lot of women with ovarian cancer. I was told you are better off gaining than losing. :-) Easy for them to say. I have gained 25 lbs or so since I have been on treatment. Initially I lost after surgery and first treatment, but I think all the steroids, less activity, some of the other meds all factor in. So if it helps, you will find you have lots of company here. I am sure once you get back to your daily routine it will start coming off. I know when I would get 3months off chemo and could do a litte more I would shed a few pounds.

    I'll be watching for everyone's replys. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • green50
    green50 Member Posts: 312
    #3
    BonnieR said:

    Weight Gain ~ Good Topic
    I am not sure why but this is common for a lot of women with ovarian cancer. I was told you are better off gaining than losing. :-) Easy for them to say. I have gained 25 lbs or so since I have been on treatment. Initially I lost after surgery and first treatment, but I think all the steroids, less activity, some of the other meds all factor in. So if it helps, you will find you have lots of company here. I am sure once you get back to your daily routine it will start coming off. I know when I would get 3months off chemo and could do a litte more I would shed a few pounds.

    I'll be watching for everyone's replys. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

    Me too
    I weigh probably what I weighed before all of this but when I take steroids look out. I have gained as much as 16 pounds with the steroids and I will lose some after I take breaks. But I am overweight anyway by 40 lbs. And when I say I want to lose weight, Hmm the dr says its no time to lose weight now on chemo. The foods help your good cells to reproduce especially protein. When I lost five pounds he was saying why. I told him I was trying to cut down. Cancer can cause weight loss if your real bad and thats why they worry. Eat right exercise if you can and thats all we can do.
    Prayers and Hugs
    Sandy
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    Me, too!
    Yep, I have put on 25 lbs too and now weigh more that I ever have in my life. Started doing the gym thing, but my appetite just overrides the exercise. My oncologist does not want me to lose...I think that would be another sign the cancer is growing. I have had to replace much of my wardrobe too. ★ Saundra
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #5
    weight
    I have also gone through the same thing. when I found out I had cancer, the only bright light and joke for me was ok I am going to get skinny.. Ha Ha. After my surgery last year I did lose quite abit.Now that I am back on chemo I am really trying to watch, but you are less active, not feeling well and with the steroids thus weight gain. I am going to make my self at least walk I don't have to be a speed racer but just get some moving going on!
    Good Luck
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    saundra said:

    Me, too!
    Yep, I have put on 25 lbs too and now weigh more that I ever have in my life. Started doing the gym thing, but my appetite just overrides the exercise. My oncologist does not want me to lose...I think that would be another sign the cancer is growing. I have had to replace much of my wardrobe too. ★ Saundra

    Love the picture in your fancy shawl
    Hi Saundra, so fun to see you with the your lovely handiwork on. Have you made anymore?
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #7
    JanQ said:

    weight
    I have also gone through the same thing. when I found out I had cancer, the only bright light and joke for me was ok I am going to get skinny.. Ha Ha. After my surgery last year I did lose quite abit.Now that I am back on chemo I am really trying to watch, but you are less active, not feeling well and with the steroids thus weight gain. I am going to make my self at least walk I don't have to be a speed racer but just get some moving going on!
    Good Luck

    I've gained 15 pounds since October.
    I was 5'6" tall, and weighed 122 pounds on the day of my cancer surgery, October 10, 2008. I have gained 15 pounds since then and weigh more now than when I was 9 months pregnant!! For me I think the lack of exercise, combined with the raging chemo/steroids-induced appetite is the culprit. Before my cancer diagnosis I went to the gym 6 days a week, and did 10 miles each day on the ellyptical machine burning TONS of calories. Now I sit on my butt all day.

    The other part of my weight game is psycological. My oncologists have been warning me since Day One not to dare lose any weight. That doesn't make you want to pass up dessert! And a part of me says "I always watched what I ate, and look what good it did me," followed by "Life is short. I'll have the cheesecake AND the death-by-chocolate cake!" HA!

    I still have my pelvic radiation coming up after I finish my chemo later this month, and was warned that I could lose about 20 pounds from the accompanying diahrea (which is why they don't want me to lose weight now). WATCH; I'll be the one NOT to lose weight with the radiation. And honestly, I don't want to lose it that way. I want to get past my radiation, be in full remission, and take my chubby self back to the gym this summer and work off the extra pounds the healthy way on the treadmill! (Please God, let that be the way it works out!)
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #8
    lindaprocopio said:

    I've gained 15 pounds since October.
    I was 5'6" tall, and weighed 122 pounds on the day of my cancer surgery, October 10, 2008. I have gained 15 pounds since then and weigh more now than when I was 9 months pregnant!! For me I think the lack of exercise, combined with the raging chemo/steroids-induced appetite is the culprit. Before my cancer diagnosis I went to the gym 6 days a week, and did 10 miles each day on the ellyptical machine burning TONS of calories. Now I sit on my butt all day.

    The other part of my weight game is psycological. My oncologists have been warning me since Day One not to dare lose any weight. That doesn't make you want to pass up dessert! And a part of me says "I always watched what I ate, and look what good it did me," followed by "Life is short. I'll have the cheesecake AND the death-by-chocolate cake!" HA!

    I still have my pelvic radiation coming up after I finish my chemo later this month, and was warned that I could lose about 20 pounds from the accompanying diahrea (which is why they don't want me to lose weight now). WATCH; I'll be the one NOT to lose weight with the radiation. And honestly, I don't want to lose it that way. I want to get past my radiation, be in full remission, and take my chubby self back to the gym this summer and work off the extra pounds the healthy way on the treadmill! (Please God, let that be the way it works out!)

    radiation

    Not that I want radiation, but I wonder why some get radiation and some don't.
  • newhopechurchli
    newhopechurchli Member Posts: 126
    #9
    JanQ said:

    radiation

    Not that I want radiation, but I wonder why some get radiation and some don't.

    radiation..
    I also had Internal High Dose Radiation. I never lost any weight though - I guess because I didn't get sick at all. Actually the radiation was alot easier then going through chemo. I don't know why some people get it and some don't - maybe it's the Doctors preference... but my oncologist said she wanted to zap any remaining cells.
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #10
    saundra said:

    Me, too!
    Yep, I have put on 25 lbs too and now weigh more that I ever have in my life. Started doing the gym thing, but my appetite just overrides the exercise. My oncologist does not want me to lose...I think that would be another sign the cancer is growing. I have had to replace much of my wardrobe too. ★ Saundra

    ME TOO!
    I lost weight after my surgery and actually enjoyed feeling 'lighter'. But once chemo started it gained it back and more, much more. I think it was the chemo, steroids, and cortisol build-up from all the stress my body was going through. It was really difficult to lose the weight, but I stuck to my super eating plan and exercise program. Then after my recurrance and more surgery and chemo, more weight gain.

    I am still struggling with it, and I found out last year that my thyroid is virually non-existent. So, although I am on Armour thyroid, it's really not at a therapeutic level yet. In addition, I realized my thyroid has been literally fried since I've been having CT scans with triple radioactive iodine every 3-6 months for 10 years. The scans would also include the thorax. So, along with having been through menopause, the cancer situation, my age (54), I have to work a lot harder (actually 'smarter) than someone who hasn't dealt with all of that. Long story short, I really want to lose the weight for health reasons - this extra weight is not good. And it sure wouldn't hurt to be able to fit into some nicer things, instead of always feeling I need to 'cover up'. I even saw a direct correlation between losing the fat and my CA125 going down. Anyway, I guess most of us are in the same boat.

    Take care. Luv & Hugs!
    Monika
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #11
    I gained a few lbs. during chemo also
    I gained a few lbs. because of the steroids, which at the time I knew nothing about. I started getting terrible cravings and hunger. I found myself in the kitchen fixing homemade foods like macaroni and cheese and au gratin potatoes. But after chemo was finished I started trying to get back to the way I was. I never had a weight problem but those few pounds bothered me. We never lose our vanity! It was May so I started walking alot. I particularly liked walking in the evening after dinner, but I walked at other times also. I didn't eat in the evening after dinner. Just maybe herbal tea and gum. The metabolism slows down at night so it's better to eat during the day when you can burn it off. I ate an apple every day. I tried to avoid foods and drinks containing high fruitose corn syrup, artificial sweetners, hydrogenated oil. I didn't eat at fast food restaurants much. I still do all those things. The big thing, I feel, is not eating after 7PM.
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #12
    Dreamdove said:

    I gained a few lbs. during chemo also
    I gained a few lbs. because of the steroids, which at the time I knew nothing about. I started getting terrible cravings and hunger. I found myself in the kitchen fixing homemade foods like macaroni and cheese and au gratin potatoes. But after chemo was finished I started trying to get back to the way I was. I never had a weight problem but those few pounds bothered me. We never lose our vanity! It was May so I started walking alot. I particularly liked walking in the evening after dinner, but I walked at other times also. I didn't eat in the evening after dinner. Just maybe herbal tea and gum. The metabolism slows down at night so it's better to eat during the day when you can burn it off. I ate an apple every day. I tried to avoid foods and drinks containing high fruitose corn syrup, artificial sweetners, hydrogenated oil. I didn't eat at fast food restaurants much. I still do all those things. The big thing, I feel, is not eating after 7PM.

    Weight Gain
    Hi, Before surgery I was 153 after I was 141. Now I'm a whopping 179. Go figure. I can't seem to lose a pound.I've been on chemo non stop for almost 1 year. I hoping to lose some when this is all over with,if I ever see remission.
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry
  • Lauracec
    Lauracec Member Posts: 101
    #13
    ladyjogger31 said:

    Weight Gain
    Hi, Before surgery I was 153 after I was 141. Now I'm a whopping 179. Go figure. I can't seem to lose a pound.I've been on chemo non stop for almost 1 year. I hoping to lose some when this is all over with,if I ever see remission.
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry

    same thing here
    I gained 25 lbs during chemo and I eat very careful and only nutritious foods and my weight doesn't budge much. I heard that chemo itself slows your metabolism way down. Laura
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #14
    weight
    I lost 11 pounds between the time I found out I had cancer and by the time I got home from the hospital from my hysterectomy (7 nights in hospital). I have always been active and have eaten well. My appetite is good and was during chemo (I did tolerate chemo except for counts). The steriod I took was on chemo day only. I have since gained back 6 pounds. Now that the weather is getting nicer I will walk on the bike trial about 4-5 times a week.

    Keeping active is very important to me. If I am idle too long I may get into trouble!

    I am trying to eat better than I did before cancer. Also been taking all the information from here about eating better and I am on an immune system booster.

    Libby
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #15
    LPack said:

    weight
    I lost 11 pounds between the time I found out I had cancer and by the time I got home from the hospital from my hysterectomy (7 nights in hospital). I have always been active and have eaten well. My appetite is good and was during chemo (I did tolerate chemo except for counts). The steriod I took was on chemo day only. I have since gained back 6 pounds. Now that the weather is getting nicer I will walk on the bike trial about 4-5 times a week.

    Keeping active is very important to me. If I am idle too long I may get into trouble!

    I am trying to eat better than I did before cancer. Also been taking all the information from here about eating better and I am on an immune system booster.

    Libby

    Sounds like me
    Libby, that sounds just like me. I was in the hospital for 6 nights and lost 10 lbs. I was 116 lbs. going in and 106 lbs. going out (I'm 5'4" with small bones.) But I gained it back and more once I got on chemo because of the cravings and hunger.The steriods make you retain fluids. I was only given them during the chemo, thru the port. But some of that 10 lbs. was probably the abdominal fluids (I was bloated) and the weight of the tumors taken out themselves. However, I was definitely thinner and there was a wide space between my thighs! I looked down at my legs and I was really surprised at how thin they were. Photos of me showed me to look emaciated looking, especially my face. When I got home I couldn't wear any of my jeans (they were way too big) but that was ok because with the staples running down my stomach they would have been uncomfortable.
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #16
    experienced it also
    I've experienced it also. Each and every time I went in to the doctor's office I would just cringe getting on the scale. The oncologist never said a word - she said in the ovarian cancer world gaining weight is a good thing and I would sit and moan that I wanted to try and lose some. She'd look at me and say "good luck". So now 14 months out I've started exercising again but the food issue is still there. I know about the drugs, the slow down of metabolism, etc, etc - but I honestly think I eat to keep the fear away. I guess as long as we are trying to be healthy there is nothing else we can do. At least we are here and living.

    I love this group of women by the way - I hope you all know that!

    Hugs to everyone.

    Kris
  • taug0430
    taug0430 Member Posts: 1
    #17
    Me too
    I also gained weight while I was on treatment. I had lost about 15 pounds after my surgery and six months on chemo and it's back...I definitely wasn't expecting that. I'm just finishing up my treatment so I'm hoping now I will have some energy to exercise and lose it.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #18
    me too
    I gained weight with my first chemo treatment too. (carbo/taxol) I know the steroids can stimulate your appetite and in my case, although I felt pretty good, I didn't quite have the energy to exercise regularly. I had most of my pelvic lymph nodes out and toxins not draining properly (exercise really helps that) can cause a lot of water weight gain too.

    This time after a loosing 20 pounds after my second cyto-reductive surgery, I have been on cisplatin/gemzar. I am nauseated and throwing up a lot the first week. So, I am loosing even more weight. Fortunately, I have plenty of reserve and will not look like a skeleton even if I loose more weight. So, maybe the earlier weight gain has been a blessing in disguise :)

    Warm hugs,
    Kathleen
  • christianchickcher
    christianchickcher Member Posts: 26
    #19
    JanQ said:

    radiation

    Not that I want radiation, but I wonder why some get radiation and some don't.

    radiation
    I read somewhere that radiation is not a treatment that is normally used for ovarian cancer.
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #20
    weight
    When I was first dx. I thought well at least I will finally get skinny... Ha I went the opposite direction, I also gained about 40 lbs. But after I had surgery last year and am on the Hexalen which does not include steroids I have lost the 40 and my appetite is really decreasing also. This fight is a fight in so many different ways; physical emotional ect.
    Everyone also told me it is better to gain too so... when you are better and now that the weather is getting better maybe we all can get some walking in. I did purchase a WII fit my problem it gettting on it when no one is home when I start my profile so they do not know my weight. lol
    Well good luck and God Bless you, Jan
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #21
    I've gained and it seems
    I've gained and it seems like everytime i weigh i keep gaining 2 pounds and each week I'm gaining another 2 pounds. I ask my doctor and she said it was not the cancer... I was scared that maybe a mass is back and it was big. I am at least 40 pound larger then when I started chemo.

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