Tamoxifen and weight gain

jo jo
jo jo Member Posts: 1,175 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I think theres been some debate if Tamoxifen causes weight gain...cuz i know some of my docs says it doesnt but yet i blew up like a balloon filled with heilium and want no sharp objects around me cuz i might pop.
I have gained over 15 pounds, i know that doesnt sound like much but to me thats alot and its frustrating to try and put my regular jeans on that use to be kinda loose on me, to now referring to them as my skinny jeans cuz i have to literally squeeze into them and lay on the bed to get them zipped and tuck in my muffin top!
Well my point of all this is that i didnt take my Tamoxifen for almost a week and boy did i get some effects from that ...good and bad. The bad i got very emotional...as if i couldnt make up my mind how i was feeling...one minute i was happy the next cryin or mad...we all know that rollercoaster, but the good was i lost almost 3 pounds...i couldnt believe it, yet depressing i have over 4 years to go on this stuff and 4 more years of who knows how many more pounds!
So i think its safe for me to say that i know for me that Tamoxifen is what is causing my weight gain. Cant wait to get off it! :)
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Comments

  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #2
    All I can say is...
    "Oink!"

    Yes Jo Jo, I too have put on about 25 pounds. Ugh...still taking Tamoxifen. Maybe some of the weight is due to menopause and a desk job on top of the Tamoxifen.

    But I hear ya, I've never been this heavy! I'm 5 ft 5 inches and my ideal weight is 130. I'm at 155.

    There's always the good 'ol New Year's resolution!
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #3
    My Oncologist Told Me It's Common
    to gain weight. I gained about 10 pounds, but not in one week. So don't know if the Tamoxifen can do that that fast. It's also extrememly hard to lose weight while on Tamoxifen. I tried so hard and it was just plain not happening.

    It's also very common to be up and down emotionally. You're body's hormones are getting all messed up. It does get better over time, but know doubt about it, it's rocking going at first.

    Hang in there. Things should level off. And...since I've been done with it (end of Aug.)
    my weight has returned to "normal". I haven't had to 'diet' or anything. So, that should be some good news?! :)

    Hang in there.

    Blessings,
    Sally
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    i gained 25 lbs
    but at same time as Cancer went through menopause, was on steriods for my ulcertive colits and tamoxifen-so not sure exactly what made me gain so much so quickly. I have always been THIN...now almost 3 yrs later I lost 10 lbs...(dr said slow going off but I did not think 3 yrs)
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #5
    Weight Gain
    I had lost about 30 lbs. before I was diagnosed early last year. Once I stared chemo in June, I had gained back about 25 lbs. It's not fun trying to get it back off again, especially this time of year. Hugs, Jean
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #6
    I was surprised when I got
    I was surprised when I got my first prescription of Tamoxifen and it said in the papers that it can cause weight LOSS, after hearing so many talk about weight gain while on it. Well, since stopping chemo & starting Tamoxifen, I've lost 9 pounds. Could be Tamoxifen, could be because I'm no longer getting the steroids that made me ravenously hungry, could be because I'm getting my strength and energy back, not really sure but I'm glad for it!
    That being said, I still have quite a bit to lose - I was diagnosed a year and a half after I had my baby, still hadn't lost all of the 70lbs (yeah! i gained that much with both girls!) that I gained during my pregnancy. So I'm eating healthier (for the most part...) and hitting the treadmill as often as I can to try & get the rest off!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #7
    JoJo
    because of my age I will probably take something else. However, my sister took Tamoxifen for 5 years 9 years ago and she didn't gain any weight. She is still thin and went through menopause. Where as I gained 80#s during menopause. I went from 118# to 198# in 3+ years. Emotions have a lot to do with it. I cried all the time and eventually went on low dose HRT. I lost 30#s last fall and after being dx gained 25#! It's a never ending weight battle. Now, 11 years later I'm here and the 3rd of 4 girls with bc. Taking medication after treatment is an evil necessity to help insure a better future for us.

    I love your description of getting into your jeans! I lost my figure so many years ago and had to go to elastic waisted pants )-:
    {{hugs}} Char
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
    cahjah75 said:

    JoJo
    because of my age I will probably take something else. However, my sister took Tamoxifen for 5 years 9 years ago and she didn't gain any weight. She is still thin and went through menopause. Where as I gained 80#s during menopause. I went from 118# to 198# in 3+ years. Emotions have a lot to do with it. I cried all the time and eventually went on low dose HRT. I lost 30#s last fall and after being dx gained 25#! It's a never ending weight battle. Now, 11 years later I'm here and the 3rd of 4 girls with bc. Taking medication after treatment is an evil necessity to help insure a better future for us.

    I love your description of getting into your jeans! I lost my figure so many years ago and had to go to elastic waisted pants )-:
    {{hugs}} Char

    I am sure most of us on Tamoxifen-are taking
    Misc other meds...so I would think no way to really know if makes you gain weight! with me (like many i am sure) I was in mid-menopause, almost 50 ( just age in general) and meds for other Chronic illness(s)! I wonder if any any statistics with younger women vs middle age? I just think so many factors!
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #9
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I am sure most of us on Tamoxifen-are taking
    Misc other meds...so I would think no way to really know if makes you gain weight! with me (like many i am sure) I was in mid-menopause, almost 50 ( just age in general) and meds for other Chronic illness(s)! I wonder if any any statistics with younger women vs middle age? I just think so many factors!

    Disneyfan....
    I was 40 and still premenapausal when I started Tamoxifen. I gained a little, but not much. However, trying to lose ANY weight was near impossible. I agree, I think there are other factors and everyones bodies are different. Bummer is I get to go through all the menapause symptoms again when I truly reach menapause! Let's hope that won't be for another 5 or so years! Ugh. :)


    Sally
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #10
    sal314 said:

    Disneyfan....
    I was 40 and still premenapausal when I started Tamoxifen. I gained a little, but not much. However, trying to lose ANY weight was near impossible. I agree, I think there are other factors and everyones bodies are different. Bummer is I get to go through all the menapause symptoms again when I truly reach menapause! Let's hope that won't be for another 5 or so years! Ugh. :)


    Sally

    Sal314-never thought of that
    go through it all again...
    I have always been THIN (not junk food eater etc) & then when gained so much so quickly ahhh
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #11
    I put on 10-15 with
    I put on 10-15 with Tamoxifen. I don't usually have to watch my weight but with that it didn't seem to matter how little I ate. I think water retention might play a part as well.
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #12
    phoenixrising said:

    I put on 10-15 with
    I put on 10-15 with Tamoxifen. I don't usually have to watch my weight but with that it didn't seem to matter how little I ate. I think water retention might play a part as well.

    tamoxifen
    Been on since end of July haven't gained weight but those hot flashes and night sweats are something else..
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #13
    Just like 'natural' menopause....
    Estrogen is being controlled by the Tamoxifen...

    I'm no doctor, but I know I have a MUCH harder time to lose weight than before starting it...but then I'm almost 5 years older, and had surgical menopause...

    I'm hoping in July, when 5 years is up and I stop the Tami, that my natural ability to lose weight will return...

    In the mean time, I'm just extra careful about what I eat....

    Ain't it GRAND to be a girl???? ROFLMAO!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Margerite
    Margerite Member Posts: 1
    #14
    helpppppppp
    breast cancer 7 months ago , i declined on the chemo ,dr wants me on tamoxifen ,i have been reading and reading and making myself insane ,, i hear no weight gain ,i hear weight gain , i hear no hot flashes, i hear hot flashes ,what the hell is going on ??
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    #15
    I have had no weight
    I have had no weight gain...actually some weight loss at the beginning mainly because it made me so sick I couldn't eat. However, I also am still getting periods and I think that may contribute. I think the menopause makes it worse? I don't know. :( I get a ton of back, hip and leg pain that all started when I started the Tamoxifen and had one doc tell me it wasn't from that and another say it was absolutely from that.
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #16
    missingtexas said:

    I have had no weight
    I have had no weight gain...actually some weight loss at the beginning mainly because it made me so sick I couldn't eat. However, I also am still getting periods and I think that may contribute. I think the menopause makes it worse? I don't know. :( I get a ton of back, hip and leg pain that all started when I started the Tamoxifen and had one doc tell me it wasn't from that and another say it was absolutely from that.

    Dana- i'd look into seeing a
    Dana- i'd look into seeing a pain management specialist for the pain that you're getting. Both she and my new oncologist agreed that it was the tamoxifen that was giving me such terrible pains. I had 6 or 7 weeks of physical therapy, twice a week for an hour, to work on my knees & hips, and that made SUCH a difference. It really helped. Of course you know im off tamoxifen now, but the therapy helped so much. I had been on percocet since I started chemo because of the intense pain, and now I'm not on anything stronger than ibuprofen & the occasional ice pack :)
    *hugs*
    heather
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #17
    GRRRRRR!!!!
    The two year stint I did with chemo and the steroids it comes with put on a whopping 70 lbs. I was only able to shed 30 of it until recently (12 years later). It is okay though JoJo because you are still here and there is just more of you to adore! Keep working on beating the beast you can work on the battle of the bulge once you are over this battle, like I said it took me 12 years but I have finally shed most of those pounds and even if I had never done so the fact that I am still here is worth 70 lbs.

    Hugs,

    RE
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #18
    about same time I went on
    about same time I went on tamoxifen i was also on steriods..I gained about 25 lbs within 4-6 mths...then off steriods (I don't eat much or junk food) and never lost it until recently..about 20lbs...due to hysterectomy...prior to surgery I was taken off tamoxifen..now almost 3mths..I am now waiting for mail order to restart...I"ll see if I regain any of the weight..

    Denise
  • mollieb
    mollieb Member Posts: 148
    #19
    Weight Gain vs. Recurrence
    The point of Tamoxifen is to prevent a recurrence of estrogen-receptive breast cancer. Tamoxifen occupies the place in a cancerous cell where estrogen would otherwise attach itself, preventing the cell from feeding on estrogen. No food, and it can't grow. Yes, the side effects can be frustrating, but as far as I am concerned they beat the alternative. Talk to your doctor and anyone else you can find about how to control weight gain. Don't stop taking Tamoxifen because of fifteen pounds.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #20
    My oncologist told me I
    My oncologist told me I would gain weight and he said that I could gain as much as 40 lbs. I didn't, but I did gain about 10-15 lbs. The good news is that I did lose the weight when I stopped the drug and the best news is that I am still alive when, back in 1987, they told me that my prognosis was not good. :-) All because of the wonder drug tamoxifen!

    I think it really helped that he warned me because it made me be more careful and, although I was more tired on tamoxifen, I tried to be more active.
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #21
    CypressCynthia said:

    My oncologist told me I
    My oncologist told me I would gain weight and he said that I could gain as much as 40 lbs. I didn't, but I did gain about 10-15 lbs. The good news is that I did lose the weight when I stopped the drug and the best news is that I am still alive when, back in 1987, they told me that my prognosis was not good. :-) All because of the wonder drug tamoxifen!

    I think it really helped that he warned me because it made me be more careful and, although I was more tired on tamoxifen, I tried to be more active.

    Weight
    I didn't notice when I started to read this thread that it was an older one! but then I saw my old response! Well here I am 6 months later and I have now gained weight! I do blame it on the tamoxifen!

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