An ever expanding waistline on Hormone Therapy

Hi Steve

I've been on Prostap for nearly 2 years and my waistline has expanded, over the period as has my weight. I am heavier now than I have ever been, and can't shift either. Virtually given up drinking and cutting down on calories - doesn't seem to make any difference. Frustrating,  as I've never been remotely overweight. 

Regards

Stuart

Absolutely normal.

There is a tendency to put on weight (early days for you!), but there's also a tendency to lose muscle tone, which exaggerates the effect on the abdomen. On top of that, your 'fluid handling' processes change, so at times you may find yourself carrying a lot of extra fluid aboard.

I went from a waist 34" to 38" in six months on HT. Then I started looking seriously at my diet and - more important - activity level.

I took me over a year to get back down to 36", and I didn't regain 34" until 6 months after the HT finished. And I'm aware that I'll always need to watch my diet, and always need to keep active.

PCa - the gift that keeps giving!

Hi Steve, I'm on Decapeptyl and enzalutamide, had my second injection in July, my waist has gone from 37 to 38.5 and I've put on half a stone, dispite eating and exercising the same, I'm not much of a drinker and vegetarian, just hoping that there is a limit to the expansion.

All the best Ulls

I too put on a lot of weight when on Prostap for 3 years. I had my last injection in June and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes just a couple of weeks later. Be aware that both Prostap and Cyproterone (one of the drugs used to combat hot flushes) can lead to raised HbA1c in your blood stream, the precursor to Diabetes. You'll find that most GPs aren't aware of this link even though it's clearly stated in the PIL for both drugs.

Since being diagnosed I have gone on a low carb / zero sugar diet. Very little potatoes, bread, pasta etc and sweeteners instead of sugar. I haven't had a slice of toast and marmalade for months now! I have also upped my exercise regime; swimming a mile twice a week, rowing 5km twice a week (when the weather allows) and walking about 20km a week. So far it's working and I have dropped from 84.8kg to 79.8kg. I have set myself a new target of under 77kg by my wife's birthday in November and, at the current rate, I should get there. That will bring my BMI down to less than 25, a level where I haven't been for many years.

A low carb / zero sugar diet is pretty boring but, with the current shortages in the shops, we may all be going there soon!

Had my last Prostap Injection in August after 3 years have put on about 4 inches round the waist (closing the Gym didn't  help) but have only increased weight by just under a stone. I think it's an evil drug but completely necessary.

Good luck with your treatment.  Best regards Reg.

Hi all,

Think I may have opened a can of worms here.

The Oncologist is hopeful that I could only be on the Hormones for 12 months, depending on how everything goes... touchwood...

Next one due Christmas Eve.

Hi Steve, apologies for late reply, I spoke to the oncologist earlier this month,he says he is happy with the drugs I am taking and will speak to me in April 22.

I get monthly updates in arrears when I go to the outreach center, there surgestion is to exercise more and eat smaller portions, currently I walk 5k per day and 1hour resistance band work out.

I eat around 1750 calleries not exactly big portions, have reduced main meal to see if this has any effect.

Cancer might beat me but I won't go quietly.

All the best Ulls

Hi Ulls,

I don't really eat that much now.  I can see me eating a lot less over the next month, start my 20 Radiation sessions on Tuesday.

I'll just to see how the Radiation is with me.  Hope it's nice to me.

The Hormones are having their way, constipation like you've never seen.  I am full of **** literally.  Don't want to take any laxitives with my Radiation just around the corner.  Don't know if a spare Enema will help.  I have 2 spare.

Hi Steve & Ulls.

It's hard work losing those extra pounds but you can do it. I had my last Prostap injection in June and was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in early August. I put it down to 3 years on Prostap and Cyproterone both of which affect blood sugar levels. Unfortunately many GPs seem unaware of this and even the nurse at the diabetic clinic didn't know. She has since read the PILs for both drugs and has admitted that they are a possible cause of my raised HbA1C levels.

After a long discussion with the nurse I decided to try to control it by diet and since then have been on a low carb / zero sugar diet with considerably smaller portions than I was eating before. This was my preferred path as, if you take drugs to control the blood sugar levels, this must be reported to the DVLA. The worst part of the diet is no toast and marmalade for breakfast! However, on the day of the clinic I was 84.8kg and today I weighed in at 79.3, so I've lost 5.5kg in six and a half weeks. It's pretty boring diet but I compensate with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables which are fine.

I probably won't get another HbA1c test until the new year but I'm hoping to get down to 75kg by Christmas. I think the problem will be keeping it off, but now I have finished with Prostap and Cyproterone I'm hoping that won't be too challenging.

Seamus,

Excellent going. Think I will get these Radiation sessions out of the way first, then try to concentrate on losing the weight.

Did you eat much when going through the Radiation treatment?