Forum Discussion
Aromasin and weight gain, now I know Im not going mad...
Hey all,
I had to share this as Ive thought I was going mad all these years, but now I know I'm not. I finished my treatment for my 2nd diagnosis in 2015 and was placed onto Arimidex, I was then changed to Aromasin. Post chemo I put on 6kg, this has blown out into 8kg now, to many they would say it wasn't much. However, in 3yrs I have tried EVERYTHING! exercise and diet, I would lose a little but it would reset itself back or more and now I know why. I am stuck on this for a further 2 yrs after discussions with my Oncologist, but Im upset that this is not discussed in depth with patients. I say this only from the point of full knowledge and understanding, not as to whether I would take it or not. This is purely for knowledge and knowing WHY I cannot get this weight off and so I can stop blaming myself and beating myself up.
I will still continue to exercise and watch my diet, eventhough I know whilst on this medication not much will change, knowledge is just power isn't it? in a way Im relieved. Its hard to not get caught up in this post recovery of finding your new normal, but it doesnt help when we aren't told everything. There is light at the end of it I hope LOL
Exemestane (AROMASIN) is a steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) Your extra weight may hang around and increase after chemotherapy if you also take hormonal therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). If your body shifts into menopause because of chemotherapy, there's a tendency to gain weight. ... It's important to know that the hormone estrogen suppresses LPL activity on fat cells.
The enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL)plays a major role in the metabolism and transport of lipids, and consequently is a participant in the development of obesity•One of its roles is to remove triglycerides from the blood for storage in both adipose tissue and muscle cells.••Enzyme activity may also explain why some people who lose weight regain it so easily. After weight loss and weight stabilization, adipose tissue LPL is increased and its response to meals is heightened.•People easily regain weight after having lost it because they are battling against enzymes that want to store fat. Fat storage is efficient, and fat oxidation is not•The activities of these and other proteins provide an explanation for the observation that some biological mechanism seems to set a person’s body weight or composition at a fixed point; the body will make adjustments to restore that set point if the person tries to change it.
Hope this helps others understand why they can't shift that extra weight post treatment and know you too ARE NOT GOING MAD!!!
Hugs everyone, am wishing 2 more years away as currently am 8yrs on combined medications and had enough!
xx
M
I had to share this as Ive thought I was going mad all these years, but now I know I'm not. I finished my treatment for my 2nd diagnosis in 2015 and was placed onto Arimidex, I was then changed to Aromasin. Post chemo I put on 6kg, this has blown out into 8kg now, to many they would say it wasn't much. However, in 3yrs I have tried EVERYTHING! exercise and diet, I would lose a little but it would reset itself back or more and now I know why. I am stuck on this for a further 2 yrs after discussions with my Oncologist, but Im upset that this is not discussed in depth with patients. I say this only from the point of full knowledge and understanding, not as to whether I would take it or not. This is purely for knowledge and knowing WHY I cannot get this weight off and so I can stop blaming myself and beating myself up.
I will still continue to exercise and watch my diet, eventhough I know whilst on this medication not much will change, knowledge is just power isn't it? in a way Im relieved. Its hard to not get caught up in this post recovery of finding your new normal, but it doesnt help when we aren't told everything. There is light at the end of it I hope LOL
Exemestane (AROMASIN) is a steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) Your extra weight may hang around and increase after chemotherapy if you also take hormonal therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). If your body shifts into menopause because of chemotherapy, there's a tendency to gain weight. ... It's important to know that the hormone estrogen suppresses LPL activity on fat cells.
The enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL)plays a major role in the metabolism and transport of lipids, and consequently is a participant in the development of obesity•One of its roles is to remove triglycerides from the blood for storage in both adipose tissue and muscle cells.••Enzyme activity may also explain why some people who lose weight regain it so easily. After weight loss and weight stabilization, adipose tissue LPL is increased and its response to meals is heightened.•People easily regain weight after having lost it because they are battling against enzymes that want to store fat. Fat storage is efficient, and fat oxidation is not•The activities of these and other proteins provide an explanation for the observation that some biological mechanism seems to set a person’s body weight or composition at a fixed point; the body will make adjustments to restore that set point if the person tries to change it.
Hope this helps others understand why they can't shift that extra weight post treatment and know you too ARE NOT GOING MAD!!!
Hugs everyone, am wishing 2 more years away as currently am 8yrs on combined medications and had enough!
xx
M
33 Replies
- Thanks so much for writing this Melinda- taking one day at a time and hoping I will not give in
- @msg132 I hear you loud and clear and this is why I wrote this post originally. Can I say this is to this day for me THE most frustrating part of the whole treatment!!! I am 6yrs post my 2nd diagnosis thankfully but with that came an extra 9kgs!!! I tried everything, dieting, exercise you name it! I've spoke to the Oncologist at length to gain help, to NO avail. Interesting isn't it?? they carry on that women carrying extra weight are at a higher risk of breast cancer....ummmm.....yet most of the weight is caused by treatment lol. The Oncologist couldnt answer that one! So whilst being on an AI and Ive been on them all, you will struggle. I have the added problem of prolia injections thanks to chemo put me into osteoporosis. Since treatment Ive been saying for years that my arms and legs are different, they are carrying fluid. I have been constantly barked down by everyone. The Nurse at my GP finally told me I had it! OMG!! The best thing you can do she told me for weight loss is, reduce your carbs. Ive also spoken to a Dietician but I already eat great! so the only thing I can do is more clean eating and try and limit the sugar and carbs. It is an uphill battle, I cannot exercise very much due to side effects from treatment and medication. I also have fibromyalgia but none of this stops me. I just have to be careful of the balance physically.
Menopause is the other thing treatment did and so coupled with medication, made losing weight absolutely impossible. The worst part is seeking help from so many professionals who are supposed to have you in their care, but not able to offer 1 little suggestion at all is not OK.
I did do the PHATT Program and lost 7.5kgs however I ended up in hospital and it all just came back on. I drink 2-3 litres a day of water and it doesn't help with fluid at all.
I wish you all the best if you are able to exercise do it! reduce carbs and sugar maybe through the week, clean eat and treats on weekends would be my suggestion.
Hugs Melinda x - @msg132 - a visit to a dietician may help you plan your weight loss ..... My CarePlan allows me to see one (plus physio etc) for up to 4-5 visits ....
Resistance classes & walking is a good start - so well done you. With me, it is 'mind over mattress' - and the mattress usually wins! LOL. I KNOW I should get up earlier & go for a walk, but without a fishing rod in my hand along the beach, I am not at all interested in walking otherwise!!
take care & all the best - Dear @msg132, It's hard isn't it! We're motivated, but can't stop that fatigue truck when it hits. I like the sound of re-starting your resistance classes. At my Seniors' Exercise group which is still on Covid 19 hold, we use resistance bands. Does your group use those too? Best wishes from jennyss in Western NSW
- Hi All , lovely reading all your messages- I was diagnosed last year by accident. Had lumpectomy - radiation- Latrozole and Zoladex injections- shifted last month to Tamoxifen. I need to lose weight as my knees are crying with extra weight. I started Intermittent fasting and it worked while I was on Latrozole and zoladex but now on tamoxifen it doesnt seem to work. It is frustrating and I was hoping that I can put the weight off but I want to eat all good things in some moderation after this diagnosis and still mange to lose weight. I am thinking of re starting my F45 2 days a week resistance classes. I have been walking everyday but My stamina has taken a huge hit!! I get this "a truck hit me" feeling out of the blue and have to take a break- find it very depressing that body and brain both are affected by fatigue...that leads to some naughty eating...its a cycle now .Any tips/motivation for eating well and exercising well?
- @Sister I LOVE Clementine. Full on woman crush. She is a goddess of truth telling.
- Don't you know @arpie that we're just hysterical, screechy women - can't really take us seriously. (Yep - been reading too much Clementine)
- I agree - most of the health professionals really aren't interested in the side effects that our meds force onto us, or just don't care ..... and it isn't fair on us.
Yet, they are addressing the side effects on men who are on hormone blocking meds - but not women! They are the same side effects that we have!
HELLO???? DON'T WE MATTER???? 2nd class citizens, obviously!
Yes @"Kiwi Angel" - I had a wonderful sleep last night - and even had a light cover on as well as the sheet (instead of kicking everything off as other nights!!)
Funny, @melclarity - I started on Letrozole, went to Exemestane/Aromasin and am now thinking of trying Tamoxifen!
Take care ladies xxx - Isn’t it amazing how differently we all react to these drugs!! I’m happy it has been cooler in Sydney the last few days - great for my flushes xoxo
- @"Patti J" that's interesting and Im actually thinking the same thing to be honest. I put on more weight switching from Arimidex to Aromasin absolutely, so I think I'll ask him for the switch immediately. I dont seem til July but I'll email and let him know my research uuugh. Yes I too get hot flushes with a vengeance, since chemo, theyre still really bad, but I dont really talk of it lol. Oh yes ive heard of Palbociclib.
Thanks for that, I'll definitely follow it up. xx
