taxotere and cytoxan and weight loss

missallie
missallie Member Posts: 3
in Breast Cancer #1
I am about to begin my treatments and I am worried about my weight. Due to the stress I have loss down to 97 pounds, my normal weight is 110. Is weight loss associated with this treatment? I will have 4 treatments 3 weeks apart.

Comments

  • Tkitty
    Tkitty Member Posts: 56
    #2
    Weight loss
    My Chemo nurses told me to eat small frequent meals during my chemo. I couldn't eat anything acidic as it burned all the way down. It also helped with my nausea having something on my stomach. At least for me it did. I was told that protein helps build your red cells back, I ate some kind of protein at every meal. I tried to drink lots of water to keep hydrated and flush the chemo through my system. Even though I wasn't always hungry, I ate something anyway.
    It will be ok.
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #3
    Welcome
    Welcome to the board. I am sorry for your need to be here but you will find wonderful people with great info. I had the same chemo as you will be having. I did not have any weight loss, I wish I had but I didn't! I was not sick with it though. I am sure lots of sisters will share their experiences with you too. I did well with the C/T I was tired and had some issues with constipation, some hot flashes some moodiness but it was very doable. Prayers to you
    God Bless
    (((hugs))) Janice

    You will need to drink lots of water during the time you are on chemo
  • sinee
    sinee Member Posts: 196 Member
    #4
    not really
    The most important thing is to stay hydrated, so drink, drink, drink, and when you can't drink anything else, be sure to have popsicles on hand..baked potatoes...stayed down for me....mostly as time progressed it was the smell of food that I couldn't tolerate...so keep it on the bland side...you will be ok, worry and stress really helped me lose weight too...it came back on with the steroids...but stay hydrated and eat what you can tolerate...i also enjoyed ice cream...just give yourself what you want, don't hold back..doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you, if you can keep it down, it is golden...keep posting we want to know how you are doing..Sinee
  • cctiz
    cctiz Member Posts: 47
    #5
    gain weight
    Missallie i had the same drug combo, between surgery and chemo i lost about 10 pounds that i gained back during chemo, i never lost apetite, once i bounced back after the side effects days i ate a lot, so don't worry you will likely be just fine
    best wishes!
  • epark
    epark Member Posts: 339
    #6
    cctiz said:

    gain weight
    Missallie i had the same drug combo, between surgery and chemo i lost about 10 pounds that i gained back during chemo, i never lost apetite, once i bounced back after the side effects days i ate a lot, so don't worry you will likely be just fine
    best wishes!

    I'm doing the same treament
    I'm doing the same treament 6 rounds.My onc.told me it does not cause you to lose weight.

    Eva
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #7
    Missallie, you've found a
    Missallie, you've found a great place for answers and support. Please come often to let us know how you're doing.

    Many patients are given steroids with their chemo, and they can cause weight gain. My onc said he sees more weight gain with chemo, than staying even, or weight loss.

    Many treatment centers have a nutritionist or dietician on staff. I recommend if one is available to you, have the consultation. They can give you some tips to help you manage your weight through treatments.

    Something that worked well for me (I had 6 rounds TAC) was the carnation instant breakfast. Sometimes I just drank it with a glass of milk, and sometimes I put it in smoothies. I was also told to focus on protein and calories. Eat frequently, it will help keep nausea away and help add those calories. And eat whatever sounds good to you at that moment, because tomorrow or next treatment it might not appeal at all. I ate a lot of bland foods, plain noodles, plain rice, potatoes (even instant mashed potatoes).

    As others have said...hydrate! Drink lots of water and then drink some more...and then have another glass. I liked icy cold smart water (it has electrolytes) on treatment days. Others here add a little juice or something for flavor. But keep drinking the water.

    I hope your treatments go smoothly, that your side effects are minimal, and that the time goes by quickly.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • missallie
    missallie Member Posts: 3
    #8
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Missallie, you've found a
    Missallie, you've found a great place for answers and support. Please come often to let us know how you're doing.

    Many patients are given steroids with their chemo, and they can cause weight gain. My onc said he sees more weight gain with chemo, than staying even, or weight loss.

    Many treatment centers have a nutritionist or dietician on staff. I recommend if one is available to you, have the consultation. They can give you some tips to help you manage your weight through treatments.

    Something that worked well for me (I had 6 rounds TAC) was the carnation instant breakfast. Sometimes I just drank it with a glass of milk, and sometimes I put it in smoothies. I was also told to focus on protein and calories. Eat frequently, it will help keep nausea away and help add those calories. And eat whatever sounds good to you at that moment, because tomorrow or next treatment it might not appeal at all. I ate a lot of bland foods, plain noodles, plain rice, potatoes (even instant mashed potatoes).

    As others have said...hydrate! Drink lots of water and then drink some more...and then have another glass. I liked icy cold smart water (it has electrolytes) on treatment days. Others here add a little juice or something for flavor. But keep drinking the water.

    I hope your treatments go smoothly, that your side effects are minimal, and that the time goes by quickly.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    thank you
    This has been most helpful! I'll keep in touch.

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