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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
AFTER CHEMO
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
AFTER CHEMO
by TIROBINSON3, Jan 06, 2004 12:00AM
I HAD BREAST CANCER AT AGE 37 I AM NOW 40. I HAD CHEMO FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEN SURGEY AND THEN CHEMO AGAIN AFTER THE LAST CHEMO I HAD RADIATION THERAPY FOR 6 WEEKS . AFTER THE LAST ROUND OF CHEMO I GAINED 30 LBS. MY DOCTOR SAID IT WOULD COME OFF AFTER THE CHEMO WAS OUT OF MY SYSTEM. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY? COULD MY THYRIODS BE MESSED UP BECAUSE OF THE CHEMO? I HAVE WATCHED MY EATING HABITS AND I EXCIRSE EVERY DAY AT A FITTNESS CENTER I SWEAT VERY MUCH AND I STILL HAVEN'T LOST LBS OR INCHES. PLEASE HELP
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jan 06, 2004 12:00AM
Dear TIROBINSON3: It is not uncommon for some women to gain weight while on chemotherapy. Some of the contributing factors include shifting hormone levels, fluid retention, and, sometimes, steroid usage. It is not common, but it is possible, for radiation to affect the thyroid gland. Also, as we age, it can be more difficult to lose weight. You should discuss this with your doctor and rule out any physical cause and help you with constructing a good diet plan if there is no other reason for your weight retention.
Member Comments (5)
by rkmsim, Jan 06, 2004 12:00AM
Are you on Tamoxifen? I gained 20 pounds, which seems to be the average gain with Tamoxifen. I lost it after I quit taking it. I did develop thyroid problems after chemo, which my surgeon said is not unusual. Eventually, I had to have most of my thyroid removed. A co-worker had the same problem after chemo for breast cancer and had her thyroid removed as well.
by pitcrew, Jan 06, 2004 12:00AM
wow... thats interesting. I have hashimotos thyroiditis, (auto-ammune disease of the thyroid) I doctor wasn't concerned about it when I started my chemo, but I have been. It would explain alot of the problems I'm having now. I finished 4 cycles of a/c dose dense treatments about a month ago and have been unable to lose any weight and have had classic signs of low thyroid function. Do you know why they had there thyroid removed?? I was always under the impression this was only done for thyroid cancer.
by rkmsim, Jan 06, 2004 12:00AM
To: pitcrew
I have most of my thyroid removed because of a noncancerous condition. I developed at goiter that was pressing inward and restricting my breathing and swallowing. My co-worker developed a large goiter as well plus her thyroid quit functioning. Her condition was not cancerous either. When I mentioned to my surgeon that I had talked to several people who had thyroid problems after chemo and it seemed a little more than just a coincidence, she told me that thyroid problems after chemo are not all that unusual. Her specialties are breast cancer and thyroid surgery so I guess she would certainly have the opportunity to see the connection.
by TIROBINSON3, Jan 08, 2004 12:00AM
NO I AM NOT TAKING ANY MEDICINE AND HAVEN'T . SO DO YOU THNK I SHOULD ASK A DOCTOR TO CHECK MY THYRIODS? IF SO WHICH DOCTOR? THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS I WAS BEGING TO THINK I WAS CRAZY. KNOW ONE SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE WEIGHT GAIN.
by barbarino999, Apr 15, 2008 02:27AM
A related discussion, I had chemo for breast cancer,I have celiac disease, and psorosis of the liver, and extreme water retention. is their a surgery to keep out excess water? was started.
by hhw, May 29, 2008 02:21PM
A related discussion, Hyperthyroidism after radiation treatment for breast cancer was started.
