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Am I the only one? I have been putting on weight whilst having chemo. Nurse thinks the steroids have increased my appetite

Cah60
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Hi, will be having my 5th chemo next week following diagnosis of ovarian cancer recurrence.

Although I read that many people struggle to maintain and are losing weight, I am actually putting on weight. 

Nurse said not to worry about it and it is probably the steroids which have increased my appetite.

Anyone else putting on weight?

Thank you x

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    Hi Cah60

    Although my chemotherapy was 3 yrs ago  ny answer to your question is yes ,I wasn't expecting to put on weight at all,I waa  expecting the opposite . 

    Like you I was given steroids,and felt hungrier than I normally would. 

    I never felt sick throughout all my chemotherapy sessions ( I has 8) 

    I was given anti sickness tablets an hour before each chemotherapy session, which worked. 

    I'm on Letrazole, been on it for 3yrs have another 7 yrs of taking it. I did lose a few pounds, before I was put on it ,but it makes me ache,and I'm not as active as I was so im not burning as many calories as i used too ,so still heavier than I've ever been, but just gratefull for everyday, as if I hadn't found my cancer lump,and has my trestments ,I may not have been here .

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    Hi Cah - you are definitely not the only one! As part of my treatment for Myeloma, l have gained 7kg in as many weeks. I am not very tall so it’s a lot for me.
    l take steroids 2 days per week and I find that some of it is fluid retention as l gain weight after taking the steroids then lose some later in the week. As some of your other responses below l could just carry on eating!  l try to eat sensibly and don’t eat after 7pm. I also don’t have snacks in the house so l’m not tempted! Hopefully my weight will go back to normal once this treatment cycle is complete. Don’t despair! 

  • Offline in reply to Shaz7

    Shaz7, thank you for response.

    Reassuring that it is not just me.

    Wishing you good luck x

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