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HT Brethren -- weight gain?

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I have been on HT for at least 6 months and gained
Over 20 pounds - 43.8% - 7 votes
11-20 pounds - 12.5% - 2 votes
1-10 pounds - 25.0% - 4 votes
lost 1-10 pounds - 6.3% - 1 votes
lost 11-20 pounds - 6.3% - 1 votes
I'M EMACIATED! - 6.3% - 1 votes
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Posted 1/30/2014 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am 5'11+" tall.

My weight typically, for about 25 years, has been 172-178 pounds, mostly 176-177.

I am now up to 188 after almost a year on Lupron/Casodex. Basically, I eat too darn much, especially snacking in the evening. I never used to eat this much (I'm guilty of snacking from time-to-time even before HT, but never enough to gain much weight).

Basically, I need to lose about 10 pounds to get back to my normal range. I've been told this isn't too bad, but I don't think it's too good either!

Anyway, I know what I SHOULD do.

I am seeking informATION from our fellow HT folks. Have you gained weight?

For survey purposes, how about we just consider folks who have been on HT for >=6 months.

But for any of out HT people, feel free to respond/comment.

 

Posted 1/30/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
6'1, 205 # before starting Casodex/Firmagon. Down to 195 after 6 months.
That was last June for the first part of 2013 and should qualify for your study. Intermittent HT & Sessions of chemo since had me up to 235 (prednisone), and back down recently to 190.
Posted 1/30/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Gunner:

WOW, what a swing!?

I gather prednisone is the worst for weight gain

Mel

Posted 1/30/2014 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
5'7" when I started this, now 5'6" due to collapsing vertebrae as a result of the osteoporosis worsened by HT.
Went from 175-185 range before HT to 220 after the 6 month shot "expired". At 10 months later I am back down to 190 and still dropping slowly.
Posted 1/30/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
142:

Regarding the weight gain, did you have a humungous appetite that helped fuel the gain?

When you stopped HT, did your appetite return to normal?

Mel

Posted 1/30/2014 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Looking at the brief results so far, maybe I'd better stop complaining!

Mel

Posted 1/30/2014 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
23 lbs depressingly linear.
Posted 1/30/2014 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Nice graph, Peter.

I see you lost some weight before starting HT (if I read it right).

I also see that the weight gain seemed to kick in at the 6-month point (same here)

Mel

Posted 1/30/2014 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Lost 15 getting ready for HT, gained 30 on HT. Eat absolutely everything in sight. Have kept up the exercise or I would have doubled. Am now coming off oh HT after three years and look forward to a significant loss.
Posted 1/30/2014 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
Appetite? No. But while getting up at night because of the hot flashes, I seemed to eat anything at 03:00.

They prescribed Megestrol for the raging hot flashes. After a couple of months my pharmacist called me aside to ask about my "wasting" situation. I explained I didn't have one, and he explained that Megestrol is often used to increase appetites for that. I stopped it, but it made little difference.
Posted 1/30/2014 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I gained about 20 lbs from the HT and then lost 10 of it....but now that Im on prednisone....I gained another 20.....its increased my appetite bigtime as my Docs said it would......Its comparable to smoking a doobie and having the munchies.....I have this incredible urge to pig out at night mainly.....and not to mention Zytiga causes swelling so that makes it even harder.
Posted 1/30/2014 6:34 PM (GMT 0)

 25 stinking pounds - that's with a 6 day/week 1hr/day exercise routine.  Clothes dont fit anymore, On 1/1 I downloaded one of those free calorie counting apps to my phone and began to eat like a bird. I'm down 6 lbs in one month, so it is possible to lose while on HT, its just not much fun

Posted 2/1/2014 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Mel
Yes, swing upwards I do blame on Prednisone. It was a delayed effect. I was carrying weight in my legs and knees that I'd never had before. I switched off at exactly the same time I began focusing on more exercise and quality calories so the weight loss back to "normal" was very rapid.
Keeping faith, I do agree that it's possible to lose weight but also agree it is difficult while on HT.
Posted 2/1/2014 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone may give you appetite but will give you tremendous energy in the gym, in my experience. Took it for a flare up of radiculapathy. Pinched nerve shooting pain down right arm. Was previously treated with steroid injections in upper spine 4 years earlier. Exercise and caloric control are the key to weight control. Not easy, but what is... that is positive. You can not change fixed laws. Resistance is futile. Obedience is releasing.
Posted 2/1/2014 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was 290 lbs at surgery (6'1" tall) and way too heavy. Was told I would gain weight while on ADT so I decided that would not do at all. Went on vegan 1000 cal / day diet and 1 1/2 years later [and still on ADT(lupron)] I am 220 lbs and feel that the low calorie vegan diet has helped stave off some of the side effects of the ADT. My RO said at last visit in Dec that I was the only patient that he has treated that lost weight on ADT. It is not easy but able to be done. James
Posted 2/1/2014 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
James:

I think you are confirming that the reason HT causes weight gain is because it gives you more hunger. You end up eating more and taking in more calories. I'm certain that's the case with me.

Mel 

Posted 2/1/2014 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Mel
Well into my 3rd yr on this crap. I guess on the bright side ive only just recently gained 2-4 lbs. Due to my osteoarthritis & my need to have both knees replaced, i cant do much exercising. However, i now have sagging belly & skin syndrome. Iam 5'7"@148
Posted 2/1/2014 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Turner:

I see you stopped Casodex? So, still on Lupron? Is your PSA behaving. What trial were you on at Umich? Under Hussein?

Mel

Posted 2/1/2014 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Mel
I seem to have run out of space to update my sig. Yes, stopped casodex aug 12. Lupron continues. Had good results till this fall. Trial was IMC-A12. Left U M (hussain)fall of 12 as they did not offer Provenge. Iam at Karmanos now & have completed 2 cycles of provenge. Scheduled to finish Feb 14. Might also start Xtandi. Last psa was 5.2
Posted 2/1/2014 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, on the first round I gained over 20 lbs most of it the second year. When I came off of the HT I dropped 30 lbs in three months. Intensive daily exercise. Finally had the strength and energy to do so. My second round I managed to keep the weight to about 10lbs gain. This round I am actually losing weight but I have been working out routinely and following a strict 1800 calorie per day diet. Mostly veggies. Pretty darn bland I might say.
Posted 2/2/2014 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Turner:

I sent you an email question

Mel

Posted 2/3/2014 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Mel,
For me the low calorie intake due allow me to lose ( I do walk my dog about 1/2 mile daily also ) and yes , I think that ADT may increase appetite but also muscle mass tends to decrease and therefore less " burning " of calories which occurs mainly via muscle tissue. If you keep your calorie intake low enough ,You will still lose weight . ( 1000 cal daily is not much food)

James
Posted 2/3/2014 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
My current height is 5' 7". I've been able to lose 20 pounds while taking Lupron for almost 2 years. Weight loss is primarily attributed to limiting calories. I also walk/treadmill several days a week and have recently started a personal strength training program.
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