r/braincancer • u/GuardMost8477 • 3d ago
Weight/Dexamethasone?
Ugh. Still dealing with the bloating and now weight gain with the Dex. I may have to stay on it forever to keep the inflammation down on the lesions. I’ve gained 10 pounds in 3 months. I DO eat more because the med makes me ravenous!! I eat pretty healthy for the most part.
So my question is, has anyone been able to loose some of the steroid weight while still taking it, and what did you do? Thanks allk
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u/maplelofi 3d ago
I would suggest moving around more. I’ve found it easier to do that than manage dex’s insatiable appetite.
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u/GuardMost8477 3d ago
Great idea. Now come get me off the recliner. Lol.
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u/Street_Pollution_892 3d ago
Could some of it maybe be fluid retention? I had a lot of bloating and was puffy on it. My face was rounder than when I was 40lbs heavier years ago, it was moon face. I was also ravenous which doesn’t help and made me gain actual weight. Maybe taking a diuretic or something (if Dr advises it’s okay) might help with some of it?
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u/marinaIAD 3d ago
Going through this exact thing right now. I’ll keep you updated
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u/GuardMost8477 3d ago
Thanks! Just came from my Oncologist appt and I have gone from 145-160 today. Something’s gotta change
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u/marinaIAD 3d ago
I went from around 143 to now fluctuating 153-158 depending on the day/time of day.
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u/GuardMost8477 3d ago
Thank you. I had just bought a bunch of new things in smaller sizes too. Oh well. I’m glad I hadn’t gotten rid of all the larger stuff. Lol
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u/GuardMost8477 3d ago
Oh! Forgot to ask. How long have you been on it so far?
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u/marinaIAD 3d ago
A month, with varying doses from 10mg up to 40mg a day.
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u/GuardMost8477 3d ago
Same. Started at 40/day. Now at 10mg/day
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u/marinaIAD 3d ago
I think I started at 10mg (x1 day), went to 20mg (10mg x2 day), then 40mg (20mg x2 day), now I’m down to 20mg (10mg x2 day). I’m just afraid of cold turkey-ing this and haven’t gotten a response from my doctor yet, and am going to run out of pills soon.
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u/marinaIAD 2d ago
I’ll also add that I eat healthy too! I eat whole grains, protein, veggies, and fruits, with very minimal added sugars in my diet. I don’t drink soda and don’t eat “junk” food.
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u/Nineshadowsdeep 3d ago
I had such bad reactions to that mentally that I made them put it on the allergy list. They just have to find another way, that stuff is hell in a pill and I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. Regarding weight gain, you can try cutting carbs, I have such trouble keeping anything down any more that I just eat meat. Say a ham sandwich, I just pass on the bread and eat the ham and move on. That might help but I can't promise it.
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u/Comfortable-One-4880 2d ago
I'm working on this one, and have made some early progress.. will let you know more in a bit, if it works!
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u/GuardMost8477 1d ago
What have you done so far, if you don’t mind me asking?
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u/Comfortable-One-4880 1d ago
Okay I'm using voice typing because my Progressive dyspraxia So forgive me if this doesn't come across well. I previously used intermittent fasting and therapeutic ketosis before I had my tumor to control weight. I am nomlinger fat-adapted. Trying tongo b a ck to therpeatuoc ketoisis has been a recent idea for me and made very difficult given the dexamthasone I'm currently on - 8 mg in total. I am at least I would say 13- 4 kg worth over my Baseline weighy about the space of a month and I've been on it for over 7 weeks now. I have lost what I assume is some fluid weight in the last 2 or 3 weeks. That's largely by changing my Macro balance to reduce my refined carbs and increase fats and protein and walking. I have been able to go for a periods of relative relative fasting during the day And I've tried to increase my my output In terms of Step count Standing Etc to reduce my Central muscle (Protein loss probably because my dexamethasone - but also paralysis because of our oesema/ radiation effects).I think it is slowlty resetting my insulin sensitivity (I am not diabetic) if random blood sugars are any guide. I'm going to try to introduce some all over gentle conditioning so that I don't get further muscle wastage which will make weight loss even more challenging. I may have to do experiment with different mqcro regimes. The exercise component is compounded by the chemotherapy/ radiotherapy fatigue aspects so I need to balance and rest.
Tldr; change macros to largely remove refined carbs. Inncrease fibre/ fat and protein (but this latter needs to be balanced) . Intermittent daytime fasting as tolerated *aiming for longer periods). Moving more!!
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u/danicort01 3d ago
I haven’t gain weight but I believe a low carb diet might help you lowering insulin’s levels search for keto diet I lost weight easily with that one