Help! Losing Weight

For the last 3 years I've been battling cancer treatment.  In 2005 I underwent 6 rounds of high dose chemo and 2 stem cell transplants.  All the while, I was also taking Thalidomide and Dexamethasone in pill form which I still take even now.  When I was getting chemo.  I lost weight and the doctors were quite concerned about my weight loss.  But now, I'm worried about my weight gain.

I've been on Thalidomide and Dexamethasone so long now that I am having a very difficult time losing weight.  Doctors and pharmacist both have told me it is very hard if not impossible to lose weight while taking Dexamethasone or any steroid.  Well, I can't except that.

So does anyone have any suggestions as to how to lose weight while taking a steroid.  I know I'll be taking Dex. for at least 6 mos. possibly another year.  However, I might say enough is enough.

Hi I have bin taking dexamethasone daily for the last 12 yrs and believe I'll be on it the rest of my life. Have you had any luck finding info on how to lose the weight. I have gotten the same response from every Dr. I have talked to...not going to happen, good luck kinda thing I am really sick of being size huge it bugs me daily...any info you  find out plz post

Thanks,

D. Taylor

Hey, guys.  I am obese and healthy.  That is a good reason to grumble and want to LOSE weight.  But wait, you guys have a disease that might some day take your life and later you will be desperate to GAIN weight.

I hear you about the weight, but if you are healthy and most of all happy think about what you are putting on the front line as a concern.

Why do I feel so strongly about this issue?  My father has cachexia (wasting disease) and no matter what or how much he eats the weight is still coming off.  In fact the malnutrition and wieght loss is what is going to cause him to die first.  Not the cancer.

On 9/27/2007 Amelia2 wrote:

For the last 3 years I've been battling cancer treatment.  In 2005 I underwent 6 rounds of high dose chemo and 2 stem cell transplants.  All the while, I was also taking Thalidomide and Dexamethasone in pill form which I still take even now.  When I was getting chemo.  I lost weight and the doctors were quite concerned about my weight loss.  But now, I'm worried about my weight gain.

I've been on Thalidomide and Dexamethasone so long now that I am having a very difficult time losing weight.  Doctors and pharmacist both have told me it is very hard if not impossible to lose weight while taking Dexamethasone or any steroid.  Well, I can't except that.

So does anyone have any suggestions as to how to lose weight while taking a steroid.  I know I'll be taking Dex. for at least 6 mos. possibly another year.  However, I might say enough is enough.

Hi, Amelia2

I am not in your situation and yet can relate to your plea.  Also, not knowing what your current diet consists of, this may or may not be of use. Have you explored a Gluten-Free Diet?  There is a lot of info out there and good products to be had.  I am gluten intolerant and was not particulary overweight when I made the shift from:

gluten >> to LOW gluten (doesn't work) >>>to NO GLUTEN

you may even find out that you have a gluten sensitivity. . .there are tests.

whether or not you are sensitive, when gluten is eliminated, the weight is too - of course, I don't know about your meds and how they mix in.

 Best of luck. Patricia