Weight gain / bloating

Hi Mk girl

While I don't have an answer for you I noticed that you haven't had any replies yet so I thought I'd reply to you to move you to the top of the discussion.  Hopefully someone will be along shortly with an answer for you.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi MK girl

I was only on tamoxifen for a year before being switched to letrozole as now post-menopausal.  I follow the same diet as you, very healthy, just fish and plant based and I too am finding the weight is creeping on.  I've upped my exercise, but was already doing a lot, and am now thinking very carefully about my carbs intake.  It's the last thing I can try and being heavier really gets me down.  Sorry you're having such a tough time.  It's hard enough to navigate mentally without the physical delights it throws our way!  It sounds like you're doing everything right but always worth an ask with your breast care nurse etc.  I can't offer any solutions but I totally understand x

Thank you for your reply. I went form peri to post a. D was told by macmillion I should no be on tamoxifen as I am now post . I’ve asked my doctor to call me and also my cancer centre so I can discuss this because otherwise they said 10 years on tamoxifen and I’ve been left but the first couple of years I was ok but it’s now it’s hitting. I have looked at three of the blockers on breast cancer now and I don’t know which would be best.  They all seem there are three letrozole, a astro olé and exemestane. I imagine they are all similar side effect and I could get even bigger but I guess I could see how I get on and in the mean time fast , keep doing weights and pilates. It’s all difficult and my main worry is I can’t get into dresses but the effect that is having on my health. Being overweight is not good and it gets me down with this huge stomach and then another time it’s better. I just don’t understand. 

Yes it's so difficult.  I haven't found I've gained more weight on the letrozole, but I certainly haven't lost either.  As you say, maybe you could ask about one of the hormone blockers if you are post-menopausal.  I had to push to get my bloods tested, otherwise I think they would have been happy to let me carry on with tamoxifen x

Hi Mk girl , I’m a lot older than you as there were no doubts about my menopausal status at my diagnosis (I was 59 and had menopause at 50). I’m on Anastrozole and I’ve definitely found I’ve grown a tummy over the years (I’m on year 6 of pill popping, due to stop at 7). When I was initially diagnosed I lost over half a stone which is quite normal for me in times of stress. I wasn’t overweight to begin with so the loss of weight was quite noticeable. Over my years on Anastrozole I’ve gradually gained about half of it back again, even though I do plenty of exercise, more than pre diagnosis and I’m definitely fitter. I eat a diet like yours.  I am sort of resigned to the bigger tummy as it doesn’t seem to change. To my mind I sometimes look like I’m pregnant! But friends think I’m ridiculous as they’re mostly bigger than me anyway. But I know what my shape was and it’s definitely changed! 
That’s not really much help in your current dilemma but you’re definitely not alone. I’ve read others here mention both weight gain and larger midriffs! Do speak to the doctors about trying another hormone treatment as I think it’s not uncommon nowadays to have a combination of however many years on tamoxifen followed by further years on an arometase inhibitor like anastrozole or letrozole. Love and hugs, HFxx