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
New and so confused
I am Grade 2, sentinel lymph node free, deciding if the 4 or 5% difference of having Chemo or going straight into radiation and onto tablets and with the added severe family history of kidney and heart disease. So confused ‘do I do Chemo or not’ I know it’s my decision but would like to know if other women have same or similar diagnosis. The oncologist said last week you have 6% extra chance of survival and then today said 4 or 5%.
New To BCNA
Hello Everyone, My name is Gavin and my wife (Karen) was recently advised she had BC (March 9th), I’ve been a rock for her and our two kids at home (we’re in our 50’s) and have advised my girls living at home that I’m there for their mums journey and will be her biggest support person, I’ve done a bit of reading over the last could of weeks through these boards and reminded our kids to be strong and positive around mum but also mentioned that it will get a bit tougher for her as the months roll on but if they needed to share worries or concerns, I would be there for them and would love the chance to share mine with them if and when needing too, however advised them we would need to do this away from mum so we can ensure she remains strong and has positivity around her. We have our first appointment with a care team to learn more about things this week and I was wondering what I may expect with regards to her treatment (yet to know) causing tiredness etc, I was hoping to take her on a short cruise for 3-5 days to give her some enjoyment and relaxing time however I see most of the good ones are limited / full meaning the next available time could be Jan 2020. I will ask the doctors but was hoping to surprise my wife but was wondering if I should look at something else prior to commencing treatment or wait until after treatment even though I’m unsure of recovery timing. I know each and everyone’s plan is different and my question may not be readily available for an answer, I’m just looking at things she’s been wanting to do but has never really had the time to so. We’ve already been through a lot of health issues together and I’m just wanting to take some of that worry I see away and for me to try and pre-plan a bit.
Is that a light at the end of the tunnel??
To me a journey is getting from A to B at a leisurely manner....stopping off for a bit of sight seeing and long lunches.....what I have been through since 28th March has been a fast track nightmare heading for the chasm that has lost the bridge!! Oh I know that sounds melodramatic but I honestly don't know where last 4 months have gone. Started with Breast scan bus and the lovely technician explaining that if there is any problems I will called up for further investigation ( this is while she is holding my hand and patting with the other one - I smiled and said thanks and was thinking uh oh..oh well!! :) ) Further investigations the next week, 100k away, Bilateral lumpectomy followed, then oops DCIS hidden lets go mastectomy on one side...other was fine...just scar tissue from Lumpectomy 25 years ago! daughter and I decided to call breast that was leaving the building "Doris"..texted son post-op and said...Doris has left the building ..he came back...who is Doris?? Oops forgot to tell him her name...lol Last drain out a week following discharge...damn..infection and fluid build up...Iv Antibiotics and who needs needles to draw fluid out...its decided to gush out by itself!! Arm exercises not good enough...get thee to the Physio!! Oh the pain!! I'm sure the Physio degree includes a Unit of Fiendishness 101. :) So next step is Chemo .....and its starts today. I've arrived at the chasm but I'm seeing the bridge over it!! I am surprisingly calm (at the moment) I am not prepared to leave this world without a damn big fight! So lets see where I am after 6 treatments over 3 months! I haven't been alone with support from sisters , mother (shes 88 god love her!) friends and of course husband and my kids. - Even grandkids (4 - 10) know I have a "sore arm" and I get so many more hugs and kisses :) So my purpose in writing all this is I guess I needed to put it out into the universe that I have had pain, tears, fears and felt alone. I think this is my letter to me saying...get going girlfriend the next step has arrived and its time to take it...the bridge is there....trust!!
Ribociclib/Letrozole Combo - How long have you been on this plse?
Hi Everyone, I've been on the Ribociclib/Letrozole/Denosumab combo now, successfully since Nov 2018. I take only a low dose of Ribociclib, 200mg daily and so far so good. However, I'm heading towards the 18th month mark now and starting to get a little apprehensive about how much longer it will be effective for. I've read studies that have indicated to up to between 20 months and 30 months success for some lucky people. How long have you had success for? Cheers :)
Nervous about next step
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed on 13th April with grade 3 invasive breast cancer, had a Mastectomy and lymph node removal/biopsy on the 9th May, on the 25th May I was told that they seem to of got the cancer in the breast with the mastectomy, but it has spread to the lymph nodes so have to have another op on the 6th June to remove them, tomorrow I have to have a whole body CT scan and a radioactive bone scan to see if it has spread anywhere else, I have also been told I will have to have a course of chemo and go onto hormone therapy. Is anyone able to tell me how long a course of chemo is, how often will i have to have it, how long after i finish chemo should i wait to travel, had plans to go to Bali at the end of July. Sorry for the essay lol, any advice etc will be very much appreciated..... Thank you in advance...
Mets in brain & liver after 5 yrs feeling good.
Just before Xmas I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. To see my GP & later my oncologist so upset I knew it wasn't good. I have 40 tumours in my brain...after only having very slight headaches & 5 or so tumours in my liver...again only slight pain in my right side. My whole world was turned totally inside out. I practically begged my amazing oncologist to start chemo on the liver before new year as the pain had increased & my gut told me this isn't right. So he organised it, but they were also keen to start radiotherapy on my brain too. Apparently I was told by my beautiful McGrath breast care nurse in oncology that I have an unusual combination of stage 4. Is there anyone fighting something similar to give me some hope...multiple brain tumours or liver tumours. I'm feeling a little lost right now. I had just finished by breast reconstruction & ready to fly to Rome this week, what a turn around. Jackie
Out of control and in shock
Where do I start? I recently changed GPs and was working on a general health check you know the one do these tests everything will be fine no drama - always has been. Trot off for a mammogram and then followed the chaos. Mammogram revealed 3 lumps still at yeah so what knew about those been there for 6 years one is a bit odd shaped yeah was last time too. Gp did urgent referral to surgeon again no ones stressed at this point. Biopsy done hurt like shit but it did last time too. Week later the hammer falls bc diagnosis her2+ es + and initially pr + lump on ultrasound measuring 3cm have subsequently had more tests than I thought possible bone scans ct lumpectomy and more radioactive substances pumped in slightly (looking for the positives) better news on post surgery pathology only her2 and es positive and no lymph node involvement lump only 18mm but grade 3 have had a busy week of appointments with oncologist and radiologist and more forms and more tests to come chemo to start 25/7 port insertion 24/7 along with echo TCH once every 3 weeks for 4 doses and herceptin by itself for a year 6 weeks radiation post chemo and then hormone therapy after that cant deal with with telling people feeling overwhelmed tears at random times so worried about so much stuff most of it stupid can't sleep all night which is probably making other things worse
One of those weeks
I had my 18mnth oncology review yesterday. Unfortunately my regular oncologist was away and I ended up spending three hours in the car to see a 14 year old minion. I wouldn't have bothered going if I knew that was going to happen. I really wanted to discuss the AI drugs as I am pretty much over them. 14 months on, life is not too good, I didn't think I was getting worse, but in the last month I've developed achilles tendonitis, which on top of persistent neuropathy in my feet is more than irritating. Off to the podiatrist who, predictably wanted to sell me orthotics. That whole performance cost over $200 buck, after the chronic care subsidy. Now I have some shitty thing happening in my 'bad' arm that feels very much like cording except my skin is also so sore i can't bear anyone touching it. That's moved from my wrist upwards in two weeks, if I have to extend my arm I help and it feels disgusting. The minion thought it might be nerve damage but because my arm in now swelling it's off to the lymphoedma crew on Thursday. What's the bet they want to put me in compression garments. I've lost my casual job--a combo of the business not having enough work for me and my being too slow to be hired out by the hour. My brain is porridge and when I could work through things in my own time then bill for what I thought a normal person would I could fudge it. Not when I'm temped out and have to work in someone else's office..to top it all off my blood pressure has become such a concern (wonder why) that I need to wear a twenty-four hour monitor. They really hurt when they need to get up over 170 to get a reading. Sigh. Sorry for the rant, but this is not the way I thought things would turn out.
