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07-20-2011, 08:34 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 133
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Herceptin Weight Gain?
Hi everyone,
Has anyone experienced weight gain after they began their Herceptin only protocol? I'm only seeing a few pounds so far but considering I have adopted a vegan diet with few grains and am re-focused on my exercising, it is a little surprising.
__________________
11/19/10 Identified swollen lymph node
1/24/11 Mammogram showed microcalcifications - no mass
2/4/11 Diagnosed ER/PR- HER2+++
2/23/11 Began TCH protocol every 21 days 6x
5/23/11 Ultrasound of originally diseased lymph node shows normal
7/25/11 Lymph node dissection - 8 of 14 show disease
7/29/11 Double mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders)
8/29/11 Begin follow up chemo - Adriamycin 4 treatments every 2 weeks and Xeloda. Self inject Nupogen shots
1/6/12 6 weeks of Radiation finished
2/13/12 Last Herceptin/remove port
3/27/12 PET/Brain Scan NED :)
8/15/12 Final reconstruction - hello nipples, good bye expanders
9/14/12 Rejected implant/infection. Implant removed
5/6/13 Latissumis Dorsi surgery left side with expander
PS - my photo was taken 5 days after my double mastectomy surgery and 6 weeks after my TCH was completed
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07-20-2011, 11:58 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: El Paso ,Tx
Posts: 436
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I had a weight drop at the time I started the Tamoxifen but I also stepped up my workouts, switched to cross fit 3x wk and during the summer months I can add an addition bike ride in on Sat. But my Dr did warn me that most people tend to gain some weight. Some may be due to the hormone changes our bodies are going through but for some it may be more psychological and how they are responding to the whole cancer situation. They may be eating more exercising less.
Like you mentioned it may be the change in your diet as your body gets used to it. If you have changed your workout you may be experiencing a change in that as you lose fat and gain muscle the lean muscle weighs more. Something to think about.
__________________
 dx: DCIS 6/8/10, HER 2+ 7/26/10; Stage I Age 41
Double mast w reconstruction
6 TCH w 1yr herceptin
Tamox.
25 radiation tx
Removal of expander on L due to infection. Tried to save it had 3 bouts of antibiotics and went to see plastic surgeon 2-3x wk to get drained. Saving it was my idea not his. But lost it anyway.
Reconstruction set for December 21st,2011
Finished chemo 12/2010
Finished Herceptin 8/26/11
Reconstruction 12/21/11
Expanders exchanged for silicon 3/19/12
Nipple reconstruction 5/18/12
Nipple tatooing- 7/9/12- All done yay!
11/22/12-Went back to get scar tissue stretched to even the outside of breast, didn't work due to it being radiated skin.
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07-20-2011, 02:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
A lot of people reported Herceptin weight gain in the following discussion at another forum:
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/729000
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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07-20-2011, 07:17 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 92
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I'm experiencing weight gain also. My diet is good and I've been exercising, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I only have 6 more Herceptin treatments remaining and I hope to drop the weight after that. I had some weight gain during chemo, but it's coming on fast right now. I've also thought it could be related to the vaccine trial I am participating in currently.
__________________
Dx June 2010
ER- PR+ Her2+++, Stage 3C
A/C x 4
Mastectomy 8/18 nodes+
Taxol/Herceptin x 4
35 rads
Continue Herceptin for 1 year
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07-20-2011, 08:45 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I, too, gained while on herceptin. Within 3 months of herceptin being finished, I dropped 10 pounds without changing a thing. :-)
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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07-21-2011, 08:22 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I gained while on herceptin. I gained 20 pounds and it was hard to get off.
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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07-21-2011, 09:52 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 13
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I too gained weight and am going to start weight watchers this weekend! Has anybody done this with results? Also stepping up my exercise program after finishing up my chemo treatment! I too have 7 more herceptin treatments!
Bev
__________________
Diagnosed 10/10
Lumpectomy 11/10 - 1.2cm; clear margins; clear lymph nodes
ER+/her2+
PET Scan - CLEAR 11/10
Radiation - 1/11 (clinical- twice a day for one week)
Chemo - shortly after radiation (6 treatments)
Herceptin - 1/11
Port - 12/10
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07-21-2011, 02:35 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,744
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
I gained with herceptin...and had a hard time getting it off. Then 2 years later was diagnosed with low thyroid, and take levothyroxin, and the weight came right off. Go figure!!
__________________
 Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
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07-21-2011, 08:45 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 133
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
Thanks Girls for the feedback - looks like its stretchy pants for me.
__________________
11/19/10 Identified swollen lymph node
1/24/11 Mammogram showed microcalcifications - no mass
2/4/11 Diagnosed ER/PR- HER2+++
2/23/11 Began TCH protocol every 21 days 6x
5/23/11 Ultrasound of originally diseased lymph node shows normal
7/25/11 Lymph node dissection - 8 of 14 show disease
7/29/11 Double mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders)
8/29/11 Begin follow up chemo - Adriamycin 4 treatments every 2 weeks and Xeloda. Self inject Nupogen shots
1/6/12 6 weeks of Radiation finished
2/13/12 Last Herceptin/remove port
3/27/12 PET/Brain Scan NED :)
8/15/12 Final reconstruction - hello nipples, good bye expanders
9/14/12 Rejected implant/infection. Implant removed
5/6/13 Latissumis Dorsi surgery left side with expander
PS - my photo was taken 5 days after my double mastectomy surgery and 6 weeks after my TCH was completed
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07-24-2011, 10:05 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
Thank God for yoga pants!!! I gained almost 20 pounds during my Taxol/decatron 3 months. Finished Taxol end of March. I am now on a every 3 week Herceptin treatment. I started Jenny Craig, lost about 8 pounds in 4 months, not too encouraging. Started Arimidex and my doctor told me it won't make you gain but will perhaps make it harder to loose. I lost all my enery while on Taxol and am finally feeling a little better, but I have shortness of breath. I try to walk and work with light weights for upper body as much as I can. I have my 6th of 13 Herceptin only treatment on Friday. You girls give me hope that perhaps its the Herceptin also making weight loss a bit harder. Its hard enough going thru this but hair loss and the weight gain too!!!!
Good Luck Everyone
DCIS LB in 2000 had lumpectomy
Stage 1 RB 2010 had double mastectomy
ER PR HER2 positive
Right expander had to be taken out before chemo due to infection. Replaced in June so I'm going for my fills. Not sure when the transfer will occur.
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07-24-2011, 12:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Herceptin Weight Gain?
Did not notice it so much on Herceptin as NOW on Aromasin. I am told that is a big complaint. I have not been as active recently, either and have been enjoying good food and dessert a little too much. I think I just have felt rebellious and entitled to indulge.
Bev, I used WW in the past with very good results. May be heading there again soon myself!
Keep the faith
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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