RT and weight loss

Hi Folks,

I have been in RT for the past several weeks.  Prior to da Vinci last September I weighed a chunky (for me) 157 lbs. After going on a healthy food diet, and excercise I dropped to around 147. Bear in mind I used to eat anything that was not nailed down or did not move for five minutes. My wife even says she cannot believe how my eating/excercise habits have changed.  I have been fluctuating between 142.5 and 145 to 146 since starting RT.  This morning it was 141.5.  I have not weighed in at that since I was young.   I mentioned the 142.5 to the rad. onc. last week.  He said, "let us worry about your weight."  No further explanation. 

Has anyone else had a weight loss issue during RT?

Kind of messed up the poll should have had another choice of more than 5 lbs. Was not sure how to correct it.

Jerry,

Stress is certainly a strong contributor to the weight loss issue.  Even though I had a head to toe PET scan before starting RT, and my PSA was undectable prior to RT, I still worry about other types of Cancer, ie. throat, lung,etc, setting up home in other parts of this body. 

 

Mr. Bill, At the time, I was convinced I had other cancers as well...colon, throat, etc...  I recently learned at the time that my biological grandfather died of colon cancer (never met him).  And my other grandfather died of esophagus cancer (big smoker).  After I was diagnosed with PC, I think I became a hypochondriac.  So, I had a colonoscopy which showed 2 polyps (no big deal) and I had an endoscopy which showed reflux.    Easier said then done, but ---------  stop worrying.   You are doing fine.  I understand that when you go for radiation, get undressed, lay your body on the table, etc... it is a daily reminder of cancer, and it makes you think of a lot of things...You probably see other patients battling other cancers, which also makes your mind go into a tailspin.    As far as PC goes, radiation is one of the few things that kills the cancer...so feel good about that.  You are actually doing something to fight this thing...   As far as the other cancers, do what you can do be as proactive as you can and then try to forget about it.  Eat well and screen for various cancers that make sense.   Jerry L.  

Between dx and RT I purposely lost 15 pounds by diet and exercise.   I went on HT one month before RT.    I will have my second Eligard shot in three weeks.   Most of the 15 pounds is back as the HT has given me a voracious appetite and I am again struggling to keep the weight off.   During RT I probably actually gained but not because of the RT.

Doing the combined HT/RT treatment, I gained 15 pounds...When I hit 230, my all-time high, I put the brakes on, went to two meals a day and am back down to 225. 210-212 is my normal....

Yes, I have lost over 10 pounds but I attribute it to my change in working habits. My employer let me work from home the entire 8 weeks and since my office is on the second floor, I was going up and down stairs at least 20 times a day.

My regular office is in a one story office building so I sit there alot. I also snack from the vending machines which I didn't do at home.

Other than that, I didn't change my diet at all. So my food intake was the same, just burning more calories on a daily basis. And drinking at least 20 oz of water every morning.

I plan on walking/exercising much more when I go back to my office, to keep the weight off.