Herceptin Increasing Appetite?

Esther · 10-07-2007, 03:47 PM

I was on herceptin from Jan 04-April07, had a 5 month break to test out going on Tykerb and am now back on Herceptin.

When I was on Herceptin the first time, I gained weight during the time I was on it. Once off of it, I was able to begin losing the weight.

Now since my infusion 2 weeks ago, I am finding that I have a bigger appetite and am hungrier. Could it be the Herceptin?

Has anyone else had an increase in appetite from Herceptin?

KellyA · 10-07-2007, 04:53 PM

Hi Esther,

I did have problems with my appetite/weight increasing with the Herceptin. All in all, I gained around 15-20 lbs. The weight has gradually begun to come off, but I still have around nine or so to go. I definitely felt hungrier on the Herceptin and would even feel a little sick or nauseaous (SP?!) if I let my stomach get too empty.

Love, Kelly

Becky · 10-07-2007, 05:50 PM

Dear Esther

One of the biggest reasons that I was happy to change from weekly Herceptin to the triple dose was that I CRAVED chocolate big time especially the day after Herceptin. I would make brownies and whatever my kids and their friends didn't eat the day after Herceptin, I would eat and then throw them away.

I didn't crave anything else but chocolate but it was an intense crave.

Lani · 10-07-2007, 08:23 PM

Could you please add this to our thread listing "side effects of herceptin, imagined or not" as perhaps someday we should l present that thread to those at Genentech responsible for gathering data on herceptin side effects post-FDA approval. I realize the list is anecdotal, but I have not seen evidence that such data is being actively sought (the FDA requires drug companies to do gather this information post approval, but rarely enforces that requirement, so most drug companies do not actively pursue the data)

THANKS!

harrie · 10-08-2007, 12:19 AM

I have been on triple dosage every 3 wks since mid-May and I have not noticed any increased appetite or weight gain. Since I ended chemo I have also been able to increase my exercise program so maybe that helped.

KRISS · 10-08-2007, 07:36 AM

I am very much like Becky. I have never had a sweet tooth. One bite of ice cream is all I ever needed. But now it is like I have to have sugar every day. The craving is much stronger right after my treatment. I always thought the plus to cancer would be weight loss. Funny me, I've gained 18lbs.

fauxgypsy · 10-10-2007, 08:37 PM

I haven't had a problem with weight gain or appetite. Actually my appetite has decreased. If I didn't eat with Dale I would probably have skipped several meals. I have been off taxol and carboplatin for about two and a half months and am continuing the herceptin every three weeks and I have actually lost a few pounds. I ache all over though, especially my hips and feet.

Leslie

Karen W · 10-10-2007, 09:26 PM

I didn't crave anything in particular or gain weight while on Herceptin.

Karen

MJo · 10-11-2007, 06:42 AM

I gained 40 pounds during treatment. I was hungry all the time. I finished Herceptin one year ago and am beginning to lose the weight thanks to Weight Watchers. I have 20 pounds to go. It is not uncommon for women to gain weight during BC treatment. I was afraid I'd never lose the weight, but one year later my body seems to be returning to normal and I'm able to regulate my appetite better. My attitude toward weight has changed since BC, and I can't believe I spent all those years worrying about my dress size. What a waste. My healthy weight will probably put me at size 12-14 and I am going to celebrate. I believe that if we gain weight during treatment we should not worry too much about it and that we should give our bodies time to return to equilibrium after treatment. We can all get back to a healthy weight after treatment, but it may take time.

PinkGirl · 10-11-2007, 07:32 AM

I was waiting for someone to echo my story. I also gained 40 lbs. along the way. I lost weight on FAC and then started to gain on T/H. I had a HUGE appetite that I blamed on the decadron. But when I finished Taxol and stopped the decadron, I kept gaining.

I have not been able to lose it. I manage to drop about 5 pounds and then when I eat normally, I gain it back. I also have HUGE cravings for chocolate. I have always liked chocolate but I didn't used to dream about it !!

My hair is growing very slowly ( used to need to trim it every 4 weeks ) and my fingernails just started to grow last month. I am tall and "big boned" and actually have more of a problem with the # of pounds I weigh than I do with what I look like. I have become a "Monday morning" dieter and exerciser. It lasts until Tuesday.

Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-11-2007, 08:39 AM

Ditto. Longterm Vit H user. The #####s. I know that Monday Morning Diet. For me, it only lasts till noon...

Hair thinner, dryer, less wavy on its own. PRODUCT. Volumizer and curl conscious hydrating lotion. Hairline never reappeared after Taxotere (2nd round of chemo). No eyebrows. Little eye lashes. Had good brows and long, thick lashes. Nails thin too. And peely. So -- thin hair, nails and veins (I'm told). Just my luck! What about the rest of me??? Not the areas I was hoping for thinness... BUT I'M DANCING WITH NED, and you just can't beat that. So full of gratitude and AW SHUCKS.
Andi