Please Help!! Weight Gain on Incevek...

Question

I started the triple theraply with Incivek on August 3rd and I have already gained 12lbs.!!!!  I already have high cholesterol so this is not good... I was really looking forward to the weight loss :-/
For my 20g of fat per dose I've been eating avocadoes, nuts, peanut butter, cheese, whole milk smoothies.... I spoke to a nutritionist and she told me to try and eat monounsaturated fats like avocadoes, olive oil, and nuts...
I did some research and found a lot of info on Mediterranean and Omega-3 diets that I'm looking into, but it seems to be an awful lot of work and I have very little energy.  Has anyone else experienced this or does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you!

nygirl7 · Accepted Answer

Me too interfurgen but maybe with us it's the ice cream.  ;)

Seriously I lost a ton of weight on treatment but usually your thyroid goes HYPER first and then turns HYPO after a while.  Two weeks of interferon doesn't seem enough time to me to cause autoimmune problems like that although I guess it could happen.

I have hypothyroidism and take my pill every day and finally got back to my pre-tx weight pretty much.......I gainned it all afterwards when food tasted good again and I ate everything in sight.

shanro · Answer

I wanted to provide an update on this: I'm starting week 4 and my weight has stopped going up, my appetite is lessening and I'm beginning to think that I'm having some hypochondriac-like thinking... I need to stop reading things on the internet!!! lolol

Interfurgen · Answer

NOT GOOD TO HEAR !!!!!!!!!!!  I look at pounds, and they jump on my behine. NO NO!!!

shanro · Answer

Thank you all for your posts! I called my doc and they want to stick with the original plan of thyroid check at 4 weeks... I've gained 4 more lbs for a total of 16 lbs in 2 weeks.... At this point it's def unexplained weight gain... I did some research and learned about possible thyroid problems with interferon and have come to the conclusion that even if it's the worst case scenario of hypothyroidism and I end up having to take thyroid hormones for the rest of my life that's still better than dealing with liver problems later!! I'll keep you guys posted on my thyroid results in a couple weeks and/or any changes before then....

Ajw78757 · Answer

Started triple/incivek on Aug 5th.
I am on the weight gain train too.
I think the only thing keeping it partially in check is I try to exercise still.
Its usually only 2x a week though and if its 1x a week, or I become unable to stay at gym- I am ok with that too. Its only been 2 weeks so more will be revealed...

I am extremely fatigued most of the time. I either try to force myself there or wait til I get a window of less-fatigue. I was working out before treatment, so I have heard that helps. I do always feel better after exercising, I make sure not to overdo it.

If your energy levels arent bed ridden status, try a little light excercise. For fat burning, your heart rate does not need to be very high, google optimal heart rate for fat burning and there are calculators for that.

I am trying to remember what I am doing- and 
If gaining a few pounds is necessary, so be it.
I am not going to beat myself up over it.

My uric acid is high, the Dr said it happens on the triple therapy.

I agree with the checking with your Dr about thyroid etc...12lbs seems excessive, unless your downing cheesburgers and ice cream for every dose.

I am not stoked on the 60 grams of fat a day, but the only one that I dislike is the one at 1030 pm. 

Avocado, walnuts, pecans, olive and coconut oil and low sugar granola-those are my main sources.

Try avoiding high carb/high sugar sources of fat- but I am sure the nutritionist will get you sailing smooth. 

...Its only temporary....

ann61 · Answer

I eat my fat grams.  Usually a half sandwich with peanut butter and a glass of milk at 6:30 and then usually some fruit or a nonfat yogurt or maybe an ounce or two of chicken around noonish because I am hungry.  Afternoon fat at 2:30 which is usually half an avocado and a couple of tortilla chips and/or greek yogurt.  I may eat something light for dinner around 7ish or I may skip dinner if I am not hungry and then around 10:30 I have my nightly fat. The first week I had no appetite and since then there are some days when I am really hungry and feel like I could eat a side of beef.  I find that by eating a several small meals in between the fat intake, I can keep myself satisfied.  

When I treated before on peg and riba only I lost weight.  Even smelling food made me gag.  I ultimately had to resort to Ensure just to try to get something in me.  So far this time around has been completely different.

Good luck to you.

shanro · Answer

Also, my appetite has increased.... I just don't understand!

shanro · Answer

I don't have those blood tests until Aug. 31st for my 4 week check up.... I'm having a CBCDiff and Uric Acid done this week, maybe I should call and ask that they check my thyroid and metabolism as well.  I haven't been able to find anyone who has gone through this or any info online regarding this.  I eat the same as I did before treatment and I wasn't gaining weight then.  I now weigh the most I've ever weighed not-pregnant and am only 3 lbs. shy of my weight when I was 9 mos pregnant!!!!!!!  Ugh!!!!

ann61 · Answer

I have gained 3 pounds in myy first 3 weeks of treatmen.  Twelve pounds seems like an awful lot.  Is your thyroid ok?  Have you had your metabolism checked?  Other than the 60 grams of fat, what else are you eating?