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Weight gain after treatment(s)?

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Posted 3/2/2015 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Who else has struggled with this since treatment?

The morning of my second treatment on Dec. 16 I weighed 177 lbs.  (I'd like to be at 170 lbs as I'm only 5'8).

This morning I weighed 186 lbs. on the same scales. 

I realize I was pretty "clean" the morning of but the way I've been eating fiber supplements I was pretty clean this morning.  Nine pounds is a lot of weight to gain in a couple of months, especially for someone working with a trainer and a group of men who are extremely fit.  I walk around mirrors all the time in the gym and it ain't a pretty sight here lately.... rolleyes

I've been working out good but can tell my eating habits are changed.  I'm working it through in my head (depression eating?), and I read the pamphlet from my RO about it being common for weight gain after Dx.

Anyone else?

Posted 3/2/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Dewayne; like you I'm very in tune to my body, weight and workout regimen. I did not experience the weight gain you are describing. Have you change your dietary approach since pre-treatment?
Posted 3/2/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure it's my dietary change plus I think I've been 'enjoying' my craft beer drinking habit a little too much the past two months.

I don't want to come across as someone with a problem, but I do drink between 2 - 4 beers on occassion, maybe like 2-3 times a week. Many of the craft beers have 200 calories. Maybe that's catching up with me now.

And I think it's my motivation has changed a little and the fact I've turned 49 and got this diagnosis, etc. I do know we eat out more now, and I'm thinking subconciously that has do do with my Dx as well.
Posted 3/2/2015 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I've found that for the last decade or so (I'm just a couple years older than you), what I put in my mouth (calories, but especially the volume) has far more effect on my weight than anything else, including alterations +/- to my regular exercise routine.
Posted 3/2/2015 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Dewayne regarding 2-4 beers on occasion - I don't consider that a "problem" - if so I have a similar problem, just that I only go for Bud Light! (:
Posted 3/2/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I lost ten pounds after surgery and found that I could eat anything and not gain weight. Then for some reason I started craving Cheeto's and starting putting on pounds so I got back on my regular diet. I have done well until the second Eligard shot, but have only gained about 5 pounds. And like you I exercise frequently.
Michael
Posted 3/2/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm. Based on my personal experience the best way to avoid weight gain is sensible exercise (to keep up your energy level, not directly to lose weight) and to be sure to avoid carbohydrates and hormone therapy.
Posted 3/2/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
My RO told me today that with disciplined daily exercise one's recovery will be overall much more positive... I guess he specifically meant with radiation treatments such as our HDR Brachy...

Cut back on the craft B and hit the cardio... easy for me to say... HA
Posted 3/2/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe ten pounds since cancer diagnosis. I started eating chocolate like crazy - Dove. I can put away a half a bag sitting in bed reading. I am 6 feet and about 165-170 now. Lean and mean. :D

Saw this:

Weight Gain during Cancer Treatment
www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2012/07/05/weight-gain-during-cancer-treatment.aspx

"Gaining weight after being diagnosed can give these patients a higher risk of the cancer returning. In fact, a recent study showed that men who gained about 5 pounds (2.2 kg) in the years after prostatectomy had higher rates of recurrence than those with stable weight."

And the above mentioned study:

Weight gain is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence after prostatectomy in the PSA era
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072036/
Posted 3/2/2015 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I was 181 when diagnosed, got down to 174 the day of my surgery. Now i hit 186 the other day, i kn.ow its not a result of a change in my metabolism i have just been eating like crap. I was never a sugar guy, and lately have craved chocolate after dinner and beyond. And i have generally gone back to my old, back eating habits of 3-4 years ago, before i lost 35 pounds. I think it was just nerves and depression to an extent.

I've refocused the last few days, and hopefully will stay focused on losing the 5 pounds excess
Posted 3/2/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yoop, speaking of your workout routine - I thought I saw where you mentioned waiting a year to start back up; was that my imagination or were you just talking about heavy weights? Thanks man!
Posted 3/2/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
bigrich, NO on the waiting a year! I waited three weeks; if I remember correctly I was told to wait 2 weeks, but I hit it pretty hard so I added a week!
Posted 3/2/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
bigrich, NO on the waiting a year! I waited three weeks; if I remember correctly I was told to wait 2 weeks, but I hit it pretty hard so I added a week!
Posted 3/2/2015 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I put on a fair bit, but RALP was one of only three surgeries in 2014. Am back to normal diet and exercise now so it will come off. If the weight gain is my only residual issue from a horrible health year, I'll take that any day of the week.
Posted 3/2/2015 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, like my previous primary care physician used to say.....:

Dr. L:  Anything else going on with you?

Me:     Well, doc, I can't seem to lose weight now.  Do you recommend anything?

Dr. L:  Stop eating so much.

Posted 3/3/2015 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Dewayne

I have been on Firmagon or Lupron for 26 months now (except during chemo cycles).
I think I weighed 195 (I'm 6'1"+)around the time of my diagnosis. I gained 5 pounds quickly but didn't notice any major body changes until I started chemo (7 months after diagnoses). I lost my veins in my legs and arms - they used to be upon the surface and readily available for labs, etc. now they hide deeper. In addition, the Lupron and Xtandi have added more weight to deal with. I'm trying to come down now from 215 but it's hard. Doing lots of cardio / mostly brisk walking with an incline and some biking on an indoor trainer. I started a "building muscle with Lupron" thread that has some good comments about some peoples workout routines.
I have never craved sugar more in my life than now even though I am mostly eating raw fruits & vegetables with low fat proteins. Seems like I need just a handful of m&ms or other chocolate per day.
I also lost all of my hair during chemo in 2013 and my head has come back, just a little on my face although eyebrows and beard is still pretty thin, but nothing really below my chin since I am still on Lupron and Casodex.
I was going to tell you something else but I had a minor surgery today and my Lupron brain is not helping me remember...
Good luck. I spoke earlier today with a brother of a good friend of mine. He's been battling side effects of Lupron for 5 years and just recently had chryoablation for some spots that showed up on C-11 scans.
Keep the faith!
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