As a lifelong food-loving yo-yo dieter, I have been making some notes on my weight fluctuations after 6 chemos, and am interested in your thoughts. Please note this is based entirely on my personal experience:
My first chemo (FEC, only 2 sessions) had no discernible effect on the tumour but plenty of side-effects including a weight gain of around 2 stones (12 kilos) in as many months. I attributed this to hunger brought on by the steroids but in retrospect I concluded that the cause was more likely to be self-indulgence brought on by general misery including a deliberate blow out over the Festive Season. Telltale signs included reaching for the cheese, chocolate and alcohol; classic comfort material.
I was then switched to Docetaxel (Taxotere) with Herceptin and the results could not have been more different: instant (overnight!) effect on the tumour site. But after 3 sessions, I began to suffer appetite loss and taste bud diminution, and have lost around 1 and a half stones (8 kilos) over the last month.
So am concluding, if you see my brain-addled logic, that weight gain and loss are perhaps side effects of the side effects as it were. Am wondering how important it is. The docs obviously prefer to see a gain, and I am conscious that my loss has been too fast to be sustainable or probably healthy, but it's actually making me feel better in the interim and encouraging me to do some light exercise too. But as a tight size 14 I have hardly joined the ranks of the skinnies, so does there come a point when it is of concern?
I've read comments on here (all from women) about having come through chemo with an extra couple of stones; most have remarked that it is a small price to pay for a successful treatment. As I said, I'd be interested in your comments/experience.
Catriona
FormerMember
I was supposed to lose weight because I had gained it on chemo. I thought I was going to lose my appetite and so didn't hold back much. Then went to see surgeon and was told I have a hernia. So this was all due to the eating? I should KO KO! Going back to normal female hard labour with laundry baskets had nothing to do with it huh!.
Anyway, I was sort of threatened by colorectal nurse consultant with the Diet police and it brought out the worst in me. So no hernia repair unless it strangulates. No, they haven't said that, yet. Appointment next week. I just feel angry and this makes me hungry. I'm being reasonably careful not to attack cake, but I am not, repeat not going to go on a "diet". I eat what I eat, and that's it and all about it. Any mention of calories makes me hungry, and going to a slimming club with them pushing Muller yogurts (which I think are slimy and horrible) just makes me want to scream.
Forgive the rant. It seems that obesity is coming to be the excuse for not doing anything.
Half way through chemo I seem to have days where I eat like a proverbial pig, and of course it is all the wrong sort of food. My weight has begun to creep up which is unfortunate as I already carry a great deal of spare. At the minute though I am not too bothered I just want to get through the chemo and then radiotherapy and once that is over then I will focus on shifting the excess weight.
Hi Catriona, I also put on weight whilst on chemo. I dont know wether it was the steroids or just me getting fat. I used to yo yo diet as well. i had the chemo last year & I was quite poorly ........but never lost my appetite albeit I used to fancy different things,once it was sprouts I couldnt get enough of. how weird is that it was like being pregnant, i had to have them & poor hubby had to go to the supermarket to get them Then prepare them then cook them. Any the bottom line is i dont worry to much about my weight now although I would like to lose a stone or two. any way i hope this helps. love Lyn. X
Dam it!!! just about to start 6 months chemo and thought I would lose weight. I have put on a stone since my bowel cancer diagnosis and didn't realise chemo put on weight!!!
I was at my target weight before treatment and really happy with this and hoping to return to that weight, there has to be some bonuses to chemo!!!
I agree with you all - it's just not worth getting lathered up about when we have enough else to deal with. Have to say that none of you look fat or remotely obese from your pictures (well - Jazzcat's hedgehog is a little plump but very cute!). I do have to say I agree with you, Ruthless, obesity does seem to be the choice weapon of guilt and attack these days, and most unfair. I watch my father with increasing contempt - ok, he is relatively physically active (golf and curling; surely no more beneficial than housework??) but he sits and consumes choclate bars and cake bar type things I never knew existed, and not an ounce does he gain. Am having dark thoughts about the curses of oestrogen which I remain confident will one day, at last, be borne out by science...
And Jo - please don't let the idea depress you; I'm sure it's all a case-by-case basis. I too dreamt of becoming a mare-eyed skeleton. I just think we have to accept that the popular idea of automatic weight loss on chemo is a myth; appetite loss is more what to expect. Best wishes for your chemo, anyway.
