Have you ever asked your Dr. to prescribe...

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jendrey
jendrey Member Posts: 377
in Breast Cancer #1
Have you ever asked your Dr. to prescribe diet pills so you can lose some of the weight gained from their 'treatment' it SEEMS like a no brainer.

So, I'm thinking of doing just that. I have zero experience with weight loss. All my (adult) life, up until I began being treated for breast cancer I've always weighed 103lbs. But, now it seems I just keep gaining a few more pounds each week no matter what I do. I weigh like 147lbs now.

My other half has commented on more than a few occasions about my weight gain and not in a way I would've liked him to either. None of my clothes fit me anymore and really I'm just at odds as to how I got to this point.

I'm not eating any more, in fact I'd say I eat even less. I prolly exercise more now in one week than I ever did before altogether. Have you or anyone you know ever asked for a scrip for diet pills? What were you prescribed and did it work? =)

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  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #2
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    diet pills
    Well my dear, I have never taken a diet pill before so I don't have any advice on that. I do know that your body is healing and so are you. So try to be gentle with yourself. I have started a walking regiment now, and am gaining energy from that, I figure it this way, It took the doctors nearly a year to help me beat cancer, it may take me another year to heal what that did to me. The good news is, I will be here for that year~woohoo~ and many more after that...you have been to hell and back, so don't let anyone put you down over things you have no control over. The weight will come off, and in the meantime tell your "otherHalf" to hush up. Being nice here. The steroids will pack on pounds, all of the anxiety of cancer packed on a few pounds. Be kind to yourself Jendrey, your poor little body has been through a lot. Just be gentle with you, your exercise program, etc. be gentle. Sinee
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #3
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    sinee said:

    diet pills
    Well my dear, I have never taken a diet pill before so I don't have any advice on that. I do know that your body is healing and so are you. So try to be gentle with yourself. I have started a walking regiment now, and am gaining energy from that, I figure it this way, It took the doctors nearly a year to help me beat cancer, it may take me another year to heal what that did to me. The good news is, I will be here for that year~woohoo~ and many more after that...you have been to hell and back, so don't let anyone put you down over things you have no control over. The weight will come off, and in the meantime tell your "otherHalf" to hush up. Being nice here. The steroids will pack on pounds, all of the anxiety of cancer packed on a few pounds. Be kind to yourself Jendrey, your poor little body has been through a lot. Just be gentle with you, your exercise program, etc. be gentle. Sinee

    Sinew ... I agree with everything you said
    You and your body .. have been thru hell and back .. it takes time ...believe me, I've been there.. So easy for the weight to pile on, so difficult to lose the weight.

    Suggestion:
    Try going for a walk, or to the gym with your other half .. allowing him to see that you are taking care of yourself -- and what your poor, tire body is able to endure at this stage of your recovery.

    Also, allow your other half to help with the cooking and preparing of meals .. allowing him to see that you are vested in your health, recovery and future.

    Lastly, best kind to yourself -- clothes don't fit .. invest in a few tank tops that can be used with any open button shirts -- and layer .. -- use tanks tops as your first lay, then slip on a button down shirt/top .. don't button .. purchase a cheap pair of shorts/Capri's that fit -- for the time being.

    Don't give in, Don't give up.

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
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    We're all different!
    Nope I didn't ask for diet pills - I lost 45 lbs while on Chemo/surgery/chemo/rads. No I had no nausea just didn't want to eat so had to force self to eat. Hubby had a lot of comments that I didn't like either but he was just worried about me becoming aneoxic like Mom had been. He'd call me several times a day from work to remind me to eat.

    Contrary to what seems logical - cutting food out too much does not help you loose - the body thinks it's being starved so it goes in to shut down mode to save/conserve to sustain itself. What you eat does make a difference though. Exercise is very important in any weight loss plan - you don't have to workout like a weight lifter or an Iron Man/Woman competetor a brisk (or whatever you can hamdle) mile walk daily will really help.

    "Weight loss" pills are not the answer (MO) - they are only temperary at best. I've never taken any but had friends years ago who did - they did loose weight but as sooon as they were off the pills, the weight came back - plus more. Some did go on to making real changes in their life style (diet and exercise) and did loose weight that then stayed off - some didn't change and are still quite obese.

    Definately talk to your Dr and ask about getting an appt with a Nutritionalist.

    Good Luck

    Susan
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #5
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    My weight was stable
    My weight was stable throughout chem ~128/130lbs but the hormonal therapy packed the pounds on and I at some point shot up to 152lbs wondering if it was ever going to stop. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to it so I figured it was water retention but it is normal to gain weight the older we get and I think the lack of estrogen may play a part. For me diet/exercise (I've never had to worry about my weight) didn't budge the numbers. At some point however it seemed to start coming off. I'm at about 138 now and I don't think I want to lose anymore. I figure the extra 10lbs will help me out with the osteoporosis so I'll keep them. Perhaps it's water retention. Talk to your doctor to determine the cause as you may miss valuable nutrients if you diet when it's only water.
  • mollieb
    mollieb Member Posts: 148
    #6
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    I have LOTS of experience with dieting!
    I have lots of diet experience and I don't like pills. If you want to lose weight, you have to change your eating habits. Sometimes pills can help you do that, but they don't work like magic -- you still have to make a plan and follow it, and I think it's worth trying to do that on your own or with the help of one of the many programs that are available. Pills also have side effects, and, speaking for myself, I would not want to add another medication to my long list. It may be that treatment altered your metabolism and you just can't eat the way you used to, or it may be a one-shot deal. Or it could just be getting older. But you can get a handle on it if you're motivated.

    My favorite program is Weight Watchers, because you can eat absolutely anything you want -- you just can't have everything you want -- and because you don't need special foods, you don't have to avoid restaurants and parties, and so forth. It is hard work at the beginning, but after a while it becomes second nature. There are also a lot of on-line guides and smartphone apps to help with diet and exercise if you decide Weight Watchers is not for you.

    You have just proven that you have the strength to handle anything. You can handle weight loss!
  • jendrey
    jendrey Member Posts: 377
    #7
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    mollieb said:

    I have LOTS of experience with dieting!
    I have lots of diet experience and I don't like pills. If you want to lose weight, you have to change your eating habits. Sometimes pills can help you do that, but they don't work like magic -- you still have to make a plan and follow it, and I think it's worth trying to do that on your own or with the help of one of the many programs that are available. Pills also have side effects, and, speaking for myself, I would not want to add another medication to my long list. It may be that treatment altered your metabolism and you just can't eat the way you used to, or it may be a one-shot deal. Or it could just be getting older. But you can get a handle on it if you're motivated.

    My favorite program is Weight Watchers, because you can eat absolutely anything you want -- you just can't have everything you want -- and because you don't need special foods, you don't have to avoid restaurants and parties, and so forth. It is hard work at the beginning, but after a while it becomes second nature. There are also a lot of on-line guides and smartphone apps to help with diet and exercise if you decide Weight Watchers is not for you.

    You have just proven that you have the strength to handle anything. You can handle weight loss!

    ...
    Appreciate the good advice one and all! I'm going to try and be even more physically active maybe it'll be a twofer and ease the hip pain too. =)
  • deeb111
    deeb111 Member Posts: 141 Member
    #8
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    my docs wont
    Hello my doctors wont Ironicly my journey started cause i was going for pre op for lap band and instead of weight loss surgery had breast surgery so i understand fustration of weight but they tell me just keep walking and stay active

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