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itsjustablip's avatar
itsjustablip
Member
8 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

1 Reply

  • AJulyRose's avatar
    AJulyRose
    New member
    1 hour 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