Another question - wight
 

I actually have not gained any weight, at least according to the scale. In fact, between my first A/C treatment and second, the nurse said I had lost 4 pounds. However, my pants are fitting tighter, and it seems to me that my face is a little fuller. I just feel bigger. Did this happen to any of you?

Hi there,

Unfortuneately I did have a problem with my weight during (still do now :-) ) chemo. Before starting, I weighed about 115 and weigh in now at about 137. And thats with walking 3-5 miles a day. It started to come on slowly during the Taxol, probably due to the steriods. I'm "holding steady" right now, but am having problems losing any. Frustrating because I've always been pretty petite and am not now. Oh well, I know in the bigger scheme of things its not that bad, so I've just resigned myself to being as healthy and active as I can be.

Love, Kelly

While doing A/C I didn't gain weight either and didn't really notice bloating too badly. However, while on taxol and herceptin I gained weight (probably partially due to no more nausious feeling and able to eat again) but I also noticed more of a "bloating" to my body. Face, hands (rings didn't fit). I exercised and really, really tried to watch what I ate but to no avail. I'd drop 2 pounds and gain 3. It went on like this till herceptin was finished. I finished herceptin on Oct. 11, 2006 and weighed 170 pounds. Now, 6 months later, the rings fit great, the old jeans are back out and the "new" jeans are packed away and the scale reads a much healthier and better feeling 152.

Hugs from Wisconsin,

Mary Jo

Sheryl - I agree with Kelly - it is most likely due to the steroids. That is one of the side effects of steroids... bloaty.

I stayed pretty much the same weight through my A/C and Taxol and Herceptin. I was training for the 3 day Koman walk in November so I walked about 30-40 miles a week and never lost any weight. I completed my herceptin year in September and noticed that I dropped maybe 3-4 pounds or so. When I had my pleuradesis, I lost a few more pounds and was probably down a total of 10-12 pounds from the beginning. I noticed during this time that my trunk really had no bulges. I am still down about 10 pounds but since I am back on the herceptin, even though there is no significant weight gain, I once again have bulges on my trunk. I have never had an edema problem in my hands or feet/legs, so I figure this must be some kind of a herceptin thing.

I gained 13 pounds in 12 weeks while on Adriamycin/Cytoxan. I had my 3rd dose of Taxol/Herceptin yesterday. My weight seems to be holding steady the past 2 weeks. My oncologist offered 4 reasons: less physical activity, steroids, nothing tastes good, friends bring over lasagna and fudge!

Wishing you all the best!

I am so glad to hear it is not just me. I kept my weight steady thru A/C and Taxotere/Herceptin, but my face is fuller, and my pants fit tighter around the waist. I am hoping that it will finally resolve when I finish Herceptin. My husband ask's me how can I even care about my weight? He also tells me that "I lood just fine". That is quite a compliment from a guy who has seen me thru 2 kids, all this breast cancer stuff (you all know what that entails) and much, much more for 22 years. I have since promised not to worry about it and do the best I can to eat healthy and exercise.
Stay strong ladies,
Emelie