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HT = Weight gain

User
Posted 10 Oct 2016 at 17:00

Hi all,

I have had 3 HT implants now and during the first 2 I didn't see any weight gain but after the 3rd I have put on about 8lbs since the start of Sept. I know that one of the side effects is weight gain but just wondering why it has taken until the 3rd implant for it to kick in. my weight has now risen to 14st 7lb, never been over 14st before so a wee bit worried that the weight gain is going to come on rapid now. 

I have gone back to the gym and have been walking for miles every second day to try and shift some weight but the midriff doesn't seem to be going down. I know that muscle is heavier than fat but the would like to shift the midriff as I am going to need a new wardrobe shortly.

Had hot flushes during the 1st and 2nd implant but these seem to have gone away after the 3rd implant, again seems strange but not complaining about not getting the hot flushes.

I know that most guys here will have had these same problems on HT but my concern is what if the weight keeps going up as I have been told that even after RT I will still need another 2 years HT.

Starting RT on the 18th Oct and again was wondering if this makes any difference to the weight issue.

Anyway onwards and upwards.

Sandy

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 11:08
Cheers Andrew

I'm Like you with no intention of going on a diet. Will just need to keep active as much as possible.

Only downside is the strain on the pocket for new clothes.

If that is something that I have to put up with to fight this well so be it.

Cheers

Sandy

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 12:28

Hi Sandy,

Just to emphasise that the low fibre diet has nothing to do with weight control or long term health etc, it is just a temporary measure to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy.

What tends to happen is that because the bowels are alongside the prostate, they get a bit enflamed as they get some of the radiation aimed at the prostate.  Consequently many men find that towards the end of RT they are suffering from loose bowels and wind etc it doesn't usually last long just a few weeks, but while you are getting over RT it is a good idea to avoid wholemeal bread, beans, onions, greens and rhubarb etc.

:)

Dave

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 14:37
Hi Andrew

Post surgery I actually dropped to a 34' waist then moved back up to a 36' but now i'm a 38', had to buy new trousers. Anyway that's the least of my worries.

I was told to self enema prior to RT which should be fun plus to drink plenty of water for the RT.

Cheers

Sandy

User
Posted 14 Oct 2016 at 21:21
I'm over 20 months since RT and am still on HT. I gained weight as soon as I went on Zoladex mostly around the middle. I have also developed the unwelcome latent side effect of radiation proctitis. I see the specialist again next month.

Having had a colonoscopy last month and been referred to a dietician this month , I now find myself back on a diet plan similar to but more extreme and restricted than I had whilst having RT!

It's strange ditching what I'd call 'good foods' and eating more 'rubbishy foods' again ~ big supply of Jaffa Cakes in the cupboards.....

However I have also regained much more energy over the past months and am busier and more active than ever. This has resulted in actually having lost 6kgs since RT when I was generally less active due to fatigue. But I still have a larger waistline.

So as you move further away from RT you may find that your weight will alter as you become fitter and return to 'normality'. In my case I want /need those kilos back and am eating more than ever as advised by the dietician. I am still wearing the same waistline trousers (34'') as I was before HT though.

I still see a 'friend' from RT days and he told me last week, that he too feels better and fitter just as me, and that his weight is reducing as well.

Regards,

John

Edited by member 14 Oct 2016 at 21:23  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 15 Oct 2016 at 11:33

Hi Guys,

To my way of thinking, going on HT is like a 'reverse puberty', take away the testosterone and you revert to your boyhood, its a slow gradual thing, but I found myself drinking less beer and eating more chocolate.

My muscles didn't actually waste, but they became less pronounced and I found lifting weights more difficult, the hairs on my arms, legs and chest diminished.

I think there is also a psychological effect, it might be because I had grandchildren to play with, but I found myself getting interested in train sets, I even bought some Airfix kits on eBay.  Of course once I had made them, in the hands of my 3 year old grandson, the Airfix planes didn't last quite as long as the real ones had lasted over Bremen, heavy flak is nothing compared to what a 3 year old can dish out!

But it's a year since I stopped HT, every day I am growing stronger, the hairs on my legs are getting thicker, one tip, I read somewhere that apple peel contains some vital nutrients that maintain muscle mass in the elderly, so don't peel your apples.

And I have got some unmade Airfix kits in the shed, now I am off HT I have 'grown up' again, and will give the kits to my grandson when he is old enough to make them. 

:)

Dave

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User
Posted 10 Oct 2016 at 17:55

We are each different . For me I stayed circa 7 - 10 pounds over pre HT norm. Exercise made no difference. RT made no difference either way.

Ray

Edited by member 10 Oct 2016 at 17:57  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 10 Oct 2016 at 19:22

Hi sandy,

I wouldn't worry about weight gain while you are actually having RT.

Many people find that they suffer loose bowels and wind etc in the later stages of RT.

My hospital recommended a low fibre diet, for the few weeks that I was having the RT, quite counterintuitive, to be told by the NHS to avoid greens, salad, and fruit, the diet sheet actually recommended Jaffa cakes.

So it's something you might want to look into.

I have found that after HT, it is fairly easy to lose weight and get back into trim with a low carb diet.

:)

Dave 

Edited by member 10 Oct 2016 at 19:23  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 10 Oct 2016 at 19:43
S

All the best with the RT starting on the 18th, with my bladder problems I would struggle with that at the moment.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 10 Oct 2016 at 20:33

Thanks  guys,

I like Jaffa cakes Dave but the way my weight is going I don't think it would be a good idea, you would have thought that greens and salads would be the order of the day. Just goes to show we don't know everything. Will definitely make enquiries about the diet side of things.

Chris I was supposed to get RT away back in June but because of my bladder problems it was cancelled, post urethra operation in June I can now go ahead with the procedure.

Hoping you too can get to the stage where you can get RT.

Cheers 

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 11:08
Cheers Andrew

I'm Like you with no intention of going on a diet. Will just need to keep active as much as possible.

Only downside is the strain on the pocket for new clothes.

If that is something that I have to put up with to fight this well so be it.

Cheers

Sandy

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 12:28

Hi Sandy,

Just to emphasise that the low fibre diet has nothing to do with weight control or long term health etc, it is just a temporary measure to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy.

What tends to happen is that because the bowels are alongside the prostate, they get a bit enflamed as they get some of the radiation aimed at the prostate.  Consequently many men find that towards the end of RT they are suffering from loose bowels and wind etc it doesn't usually last long just a few weeks, but while you are getting over RT it is a good idea to avoid wholemeal bread, beans, onions, greens and rhubarb etc.

:)

Dave

User
Posted 11 Oct 2016 at 14:37
Hi Andrew

Post surgery I actually dropped to a 34' waist then moved back up to a 36' but now i'm a 38', had to buy new trousers. Anyway that's the least of my worries.

I was told to self enema prior to RT which should be fun plus to drink plenty of water for the RT.

Cheers

Sandy

User
Posted 14 Oct 2016 at 21:21
I'm over 20 months since RT and am still on HT. I gained weight as soon as I went on Zoladex mostly around the middle. I have also developed the unwelcome latent side effect of radiation proctitis. I see the specialist again next month.

Having had a colonoscopy last month and been referred to a dietician this month , I now find myself back on a diet plan similar to but more extreme and restricted than I had whilst having RT!

It's strange ditching what I'd call 'good foods' and eating more 'rubbishy foods' again ~ big supply of Jaffa Cakes in the cupboards.....

However I have also regained much more energy over the past months and am busier and more active than ever. This has resulted in actually having lost 6kgs since RT when I was generally less active due to fatigue. But I still have a larger waistline.

So as you move further away from RT you may find that your weight will alter as you become fitter and return to 'normality'. In my case I want /need those kilos back and am eating more than ever as advised by the dietician. I am still wearing the same waistline trousers (34'') as I was before HT though.

I still see a 'friend' from RT days and he told me last week, that he too feels better and fitter just as me, and that his weight is reducing as well.

Regards,

John

Edited by member 14 Oct 2016 at 21:23  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 15 Oct 2016 at 11:33

Hi Guys,

To my way of thinking, going on HT is like a 'reverse puberty', take away the testosterone and you revert to your boyhood, its a slow gradual thing, but I found myself drinking less beer and eating more chocolate.

My muscles didn't actually waste, but they became less pronounced and I found lifting weights more difficult, the hairs on my arms, legs and chest diminished.

I think there is also a psychological effect, it might be because I had grandchildren to play with, but I found myself getting interested in train sets, I even bought some Airfix kits on eBay.  Of course once I had made them, in the hands of my 3 year old grandson, the Airfix planes didn't last quite as long as the real ones had lasted over Bremen, heavy flak is nothing compared to what a 3 year old can dish out!

But it's a year since I stopped HT, every day I am growing stronger, the hairs on my legs are getting thicker, one tip, I read somewhere that apple peel contains some vital nutrients that maintain muscle mass in the elderly, so don't peel your apples.

And I have got some unmade Airfix kits in the shed, now I am off HT I have 'grown up' again, and will give the kits to my grandson when he is old enough to make them. 

:)

Dave

User
Posted 15 Oct 2016 at 11:57

Hi

Good post Dave, I've been known to do an airfix model so might stock up in some new kits lol. my wife says I'm a big kid anyway.

Going to try and keep up the gym work to hopefully alleviate some of the fatigue and keep the muscles as strong as possible during the RT/HT period. I start RT next week and intend to go to work in the morning and then go to RT in the afternoon, only downside is that I need to take an enema for the first 7 days prior to treatment.

Also like you John my weight has centred around my middle area but going with others experiences this should start to shift once HT is finished, just need to buy bigger clothes for the time being.

Cheers

Sandy

 

User
Posted 15 Oct 2016 at 12:10
Sandy,

I worked mornings whilst I had RT. I was lucky that the RT centre was only a 5 mins drive away though. RT spread over 9 weeks for me (midweek start and Christmas/New Year breaks prolonged it) and I worked for 7 of them. It was my employers who asked to go off sick to give me time to recover towards the end. I had 2 months off but now wish I'd had a further month to recuperate. But we are all different and cope in our own ways.

I had to use enemas every day for my treatment so your lucky if you only have to take 7.

Oh yes, I'm told by my family that I've become more childish too!

Good luck,

John

 
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