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itsjustablip's avatar
itsjustablip
Member
20 days ago

Hormone Blockers Weight gain & GLP-1s

Hi Everyone,

I am 53 yeards old and 3 years into hormone blockers and am managing (barely) all the side-effects except for one. Weight gain. I have always been fit and active and I am working out more than ever and eating incredibly healthy and nothing seems to make a difference. I have slowly increased from a size 10 to almost a 14 since commencing hormone blockers.

I have seen some medical evidence that GLP-1's at a low dose have been helpful for not just weight loss but also a reduction in other side effects as well.  Has anyone else had a conversation with their oncologist regarding using GLP-1's and potential benefits? 

I don't like the thought of taking yet another drug but I am getting to the point of worrying about everything I eat and also cannot afford to keep buying another size up!

If anyone has any info on this topic or knows of any specialists in this space I would appreciate it very much,

Thanks!!

aromatase-inhibitors
hormone-therapy
side-effects

3 Replies

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    5 days ago

    Hi itsjustablip​ 

    Do you have a link to that medical evidence?  

    GLP-1s are quite a serious medication with a lot of people having really nasty side effects from them - and lots of people are abusing it too as it is self administered & maybe they think that 'if I take more, I'll lose weight quicker'.    Nup - they are just poisoning themselves & can get very ill!

    I am 73 now (diagnosed/surgery 8 years ago) and like you, I was pretty fit & trim when diagnosed - less so now on both counts.   I think the enforced sedentary lifestyle that Covid put onto us hadn't helped either. 

    I definitely don't over eat & rarely eat out or do takeaway .... I only came off Anastrozole early last year (after 7 years) - so I'd hoped I'd drop weight by now!  Nup.  I'd love to lose 10kg.

    AJulyRose​ (Welcome to the group!!!) As she says, age (and more importantly, menopause) plays havoc with our weight too. 
    So there are more factors influencing it too than just the meds. 

    I know I should get up early & go walking for an hour every morning (I was before Xmas but then got a nasty flu that grounded me & haven't gotten back to the 'routine' again!) 

    Take care & all the best.

  • AJulyRose's avatar
    AJulyRose
    Member
    12 days ago

    Hello!  
    I was so interested to read this as I too have put on some weight after only 5 1/2 months on Anastrozole.   And like you, I eat extremely healthily and get plenty of exercise.  I’ve been fortunate though in that I seem to have escaped the worst of the possible side effects.
    I have my one year check up with the oncologist coming up next month and intend to discuss it with her, but personally I think taking the GLP-1 route would be pretty drastic.
    I’m no expert but I’m wondering if the age you are at is a contributing factor to your weight gain as well?  I’m 74 and pretty much all my female friends will say that they’ve experienced weight gain from middle age onwards, despite their best efforts.   Especially thickening around the tummy region. 
    I’ve started keeping a food diary to check if what I think I’m eating matches what I am actually eating, and have also gone back to swimming twice a week, an activity I had to stop obviously after the breast operation.  Hopefully that might tip the balance.

    I can understand why you are so upset about the weight gain, it’s like, I’ve just had breast cancer, I don’t need this as well!
    I’m sorry I can’t give any specific advice except maybe try the food diary, (I made it easy and just take a photo of EVERYTHING I eat, then go through the pics once a week and just make sure there’s nothing there that shouldn’t be).  And talk to your oncologist.

    all the best

    julie

    • itsjustablip's avatar
      itsjustablip
      Member
      8 days ago

      Thanks for your reply Julie,

      I'm glad you seem to have "escaped" some of the side effects as for those of us that seem to have most of them it's a daily constant battle.

      I am only 53 and have spoken to specialists about my diet and comittment to exercise and been told I am doing "everything" I can, my diet is great and "keep it up".

      In addition to the hit I've taken to my confidence, the cost of continuously having to go up a size is annoying. Thank god my feet haven't grown!

      If I could wear a Muu Muu to work (I work in a corporate environment) and not worry about bursting a seam I would. 

      I don't want to resign myself to the fact that I have to live the rest of my days (which I hope is a very long time) in discomfort and unhappiness so I am merely seeking potential solutions after 3 years of trying multiple alternatives.

      And if GLP-1s sound "drastic" consider the side effects and long-term ramifications of having our ovaries removed and hormones blocked.  

      My dissapointment in the lack of medical research and support for those of us working through this is at times very overwhealming.