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 mo...
Forum Discussion
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
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.
Hi there,
I'm a newby, 53 years old just had surgery about to start radiation and Tamoxifen (not sure yet if the two combine, and am very vary of all the side effects Tamoxifen has). Chemo was not offered at I was ER + and PR +.
I was on Ozempic for the last 12 months for my type 2 diabetes and fatty liver. It controlled my sugars perfectly and my liver score was also improved. Interestingly, I had little weight loss about 2 kg, however it did maintain my weight ( as I was gaining weight).
I stopped using Ozempic once diagnosed in December last year. I saw my Oncologist last week and they suggested its ok to take Ozempic with Tamoxifen, with the added benefit that it may help with weight management.
Upon further research, I have found that it some cases GLPs are encouraged for weight management. So may be worth having the conversation with your Oncologist, as it may help you.
All the best.
