Weight Management on Chemotherapy

Thank you both for the information.

I've been told my first three months will be Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide, then the last three months will be Doxetaxel and Trastuzumab, plus Herceptin for 12 months.

I am going to have to try very hard.  I am a shortish, pear-shaped person who has always had to work very hard to keep weight off.  

I decided to get started yesterday and go for a walk.  Forty minutes of fairly slow walking exhausted me so I'm going to have to build it up gradually.  

I am fortunate that I have a supportive husband who will come along with me.

I had docetaxel,and for me it was possible not to gain weight.I started chemo at 62 kg and I'm still the same,one year later.As Deanne said,if you eat anything,and don't exercise,you will put on weight,but it's not always possible to eat the right foods during chemo,because your taste preferences change dramatically.Also,not everyone can exercise during chemo.I definitely age differently,but I tried hard not to OVEREAT.I walked EVERY day during chemo and there were days that I only walked because my daughter wouldn't let me stay at home!!! We used to walk around a fitness track near our house,and I recall a few times when she had to walk with her hand on my back,actually pushing me! I wouldn't have walked every day if she hadn't of come with me !! So try to find a person,who can push you that bit extra,when you don't really want to do it.However,there will always be people who are far too unwell on chemo,to do any of these things.All the best,and try not to worry too much.When chemo is over,you can start on a brand new fitness regime!!!!

It does I think depend on which chemo you are having, as some require more of the steriod drugs which can cause a bit of fluid retention. I only put on 3kg and that was when I changed to Docetaxel and could not exercise as much (due to side effects) and had to have more of the steriods. My first 3 chemos were Fec and I did not put on any weight. I ate sensibly (especially during the 2 weeks when I felt ok each 3 week cycle) and walked everyday. Once I could exercise again I quickly lost the 3 kg I had gained and then a further 6 kg. I have been on tamoxifen for 14 months and have not found that this has affected my ability to lose and maintain my weight either. There are a number of ladies on here who managed minimal or no weight gain. I even know one lady who lost 6 kg while on chemo. I think it is important to realise that if you comfort eat and do not exercise then that is probably why you will gain weight rather than some sort of unavoidable reaction from the drugs. In saying that though some people do suffer many more severe side effects that make eating well and exercising much more difficult. I was very fortunate to have great support from my family with providing healthy food when I struggled to do this for myself. I was also fortunate to be able to exercise as much as I did. If you are determined and have good support you can do it. There are lots of unavoidable effects from treatment but weight gain is something you CAN control. I hope this helps you feel more confident about chemo. Take care. Deanne xxx