Controlling weight after treatment

[Duvalstarr]

Has anyone had weight gain post treatment?  I've heard that weight comes back quickly after treatment is stopped. I lost 25 pounds during treatment and I'm very proud of my new figure. Any suggestions on preventing weight gain post treatment?

[brianmo]

My hormones went berserk the weeks following EOT.  When I started tx I weighted 114 EOT 114 then after tx I started gaining, it was the strangest thing.  So I am now In The process of adjusting my hormones. It's a fine balance but I am starting to level out but most importantly at three months I was still UND.  I can handle a few pounds, love life being hep c free!!!

[Dee1956]

I have gained, not sure if it just that food tastes better or what but I am going to get back to my walking and sugar free diet asap
Good luck
Dee

[ceanothus]

I've also lost 25 pounds with the post-Incivek phase of tx. It surprised me because the last time I was on interferon and ribavirin I gained15 pounds! Anyway, like you, I am very much hoping to be able to keep the weight off after tx. I guess I'm going to try my last most successful plan, which was low-carb diet and more walking. I don't know if it will be enough!

[Idyllic]

First, I am so glad you cleared the virus!! It sounds like you made it through Triple therapy unscathed so double kudos for you!!

As I suggested in my earlier post to me, weight lost from unnatural means like Incivek (for some of us that includes vomiting or feeling nauseous all the time, diarrhoea, feelings of Anorexia, acid reflux and/or disinterest in food) isn't easy to keep off once you regain any type of normalcy in your life.  

Still, I don't know how many patients your doctor has treated with the Incivek but so far I haven't really seen that many people totally gain all the weight they lost on Incivek back. I realise this is anecdotal but by 'seen' I mean the people I know personally who treated with Incivek.

25 pounds is a lot. To me it would be worth at least trying a few things different to see if you can keep the weight off.  :)

[Duvalstarr]

I re-treated with the triple therapy (Incivek, Pegasys, and Ribavirin). I cleared the virus this time!

[Dawn703]

I lost 30 lbs the first 12 weeks while treating with incivek. I have had a good appetite since ending the incivek and eating well since then (actually it seems I am hungry ALL the time), I have not gained any of the weight back. Kinda weird, but I do eat very healthy.

[Idyllic]

Hey I see you must have treated again between 2009 and now. Did you clear the virus? Which meds did you take? If you took one of the PI's it might explain a huge weight loss but then lots of folks loss weight on SOC. In a way I think it makes a difference which meds you took since the Incivek causes what I consider Anorexia. That along with the other sides could cause a huge (unnatural) weight gain.

That is why it helps to focus on the why & how you lost during treatment.

On the VA web site it says

Weight loss is more common than weight gain. About 1 in 10 people taking these medications will lose weight without trying. Interferon, especially, can cause decreased appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain, leading to weight loss.

If you gain or lose weight on treatment, you'll likely return to your normal weight after stopping treatment, when these side effects go away.
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I mean the gist of weight loss is to expend more calories than you consume so if your doctor says the amount of calories you consume (no matter how small) will cause a weight gain - he may be right based on *your* individual circumstances and baseline labs, pre-treatment weight and lifestyle prior to treating.

As a general rule however, I'm, not sure this is the case but based on what your doctor knows about the nature of your weight loss and your metabolism he might think it would be the case with you.

Take care and be well. ♫

[frijole]

Many of us gain weight post tx.  I have not had much of an appetite lately but I know it will come back with a vengence.  I am going to try really hard not to fall into that cycle I got into last time.  I only lost about 6 pounds treating.

My EOT bloodwork showed that I went hypothyroid.  The PA at the heppo office didn't seem concerned but it is one more thing to watch closely and it can make one fat.  Did you have a TSH test at the end?

frijole

[willbb]

oops  

  No "best Answer " for me then I take it  ?

Sorry ..Never meant to offend..
Best ..
Will

[Peter2012]

I lost nearly 40 pounds on treatment. I had my last interferon shot on July 20 and my last ribivirin dose on July 27.

I'm close to a healthy weight now, and my blood pressure is normal for the first time in years. My pot belly is gone - everybody says I look better!

I think the key to keeping the weight off is being fairly ACTIVE. Some people make the mistake of sitting home and doing little most of the time, because they feel physically drained for a few months after TX. My doctor said the interferon "revs up" your system, and that's why you don't have much energy after TX for a few months and gain weight due to lack of activity (and perhaps being home near the fridge).

But I think we'll likely feel more energetic in a few months if we don't gain the weight back.

[belle19]

let's be nice now.

[Duvalstarr]

My doc told me that when interferon is stopped that weight rapidly comes back even if you eat less, so no thanks for your advice.

[kmatucson]

I lost 20 lbs during treatment but after I was done I became an eating machine.. could not get enough... especially red meat, and I rarely ever ate red meat prior.. I was just craving it.. so, I knew my body needed it. My HGB was 8.1 when I finished.. Anyway, that lasted for a short while.. I gained back almost 10 lbs, but now I'm back to eating less and the weight has come off..  Best of luck to you..

[Ironpony]

Portion control or calorie counting, exercise and eating healthy have always helped those who are willing to do it.

[willbb]

Hi..

I'm certainly not the expert here but , I would possibly "eat less" and see how that went  . :)

Good luck ..
Will