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How to not lose muscle mass during Chemo: any tips?

Posted by neveragainvaccines @neveragainvaccines, Oct 10 7:44am

I will start a very aggressive chemo and targeted therapy next week for HER2+ ER PR neg. Is it inevitable to lose muscle tone completely?

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Oct 10 8:47am

@neveragainvaccines
That is great question, it is important to stay active even when receiving treatment.

Though not directly related to chemo, there are some great suggestions in this discussion with links to other sites talking about muscle tone.
- What exercises help to increase muscle tone as we age?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discusion/muscle-tone-decreasing-markedly/
What do you currently do for exercise?

REPLY
katgob | @katgob | Oct 10 9:48am

neveragainvaccines- GREAT JOB! In late 2021 i had 13 rounds of chemo, 12 rounds, 1 per week to start. Brca2 and soon to find HER2+ tumor. I did not take action to retain my muscle. I found my chemo Friday did not hit me to mid Sunday and hit me with fatigue. I used Zofran/Compazine for 3 days for nausea and senna a laxative, two days of none and then on the 7th day- chemo again. Not once did i think about my muscle tone. It was a given i had been strong through regular activity my entire adult life. Bam. By the time i had my surgery in 6.5 months, I lost it all. I was still active working my part time job visiting pet stores, but i did not strength train.

I hope more people promote success at taking action early on. Laurie's post I need to check out. So far, after getting MDS, since late June I have gone from 4000 steps a day to over 10, 000 every day. Now it is to add weights.

REPLY
1 reply
neveragainvaccines | @neveragainvaccines | Oct 10 10:23am
In reply to @katgob "neveragainvaccines- GREAT JOB! In late 2021 i had 13 rounds of chemo, 12 rounds, 1 per..." + (show)
@katgob

neveragainvaccines- GREAT JOB! In late 2021 i had 13 rounds of chemo, 12 rounds, 1 per week to start. Brca2 and soon to find HER2+ tumor. I did not take action to retain my muscle. I found my chemo Friday did not hit me to mid Sunday and hit me with fatigue. I used Zofran/Compazine for 3 days for nausea and senna a laxative, two days of none and then on the 7th day- chemo again. Not once did i think about my muscle tone. It was a given i had been strong through regular activity my entire adult life. Bam. By the time i had my surgery in 6.5 months, I lost it all. I was still active working my part time job visiting pet stores, but i did not strength train.

I hope more people promote success at taking action early on. Laurie's post I need to check out. So far, after getting MDS, since late June I have gone from 4000 steps a day to over 10, 000 every day. Now it is to add weights.

Jump to this post

Thankyou for the response. I’m going to somehow force protein into me. Read in some studies you need 70-100 gms a day. Not easy when nauseated. I just walk and have tried to build muscle in my legs while waiting for treatment. Very hard to consider exercising when you read the list of side effects coming your way!!! Happy you are getting your strength back. F$%@ this stupid disease!

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1 reply
Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Oct 10 11:04am
In reply to @neveragainvaccines "Thankyou for the response. I’m going to somehow force protein into me. Read in some studies..." + (show)
@neveragainvaccines

Thankyou for the response. I’m going to somehow force protein into me. Read in some studies you need 70-100 gms a day. Not easy when nauseated. I just walk and have tried to build muscle in my legs while waiting for treatment. Very hard to consider exercising when you read the list of side effects coming your way!!! Happy you are getting your strength back. F$%@ this stupid disease!

Jump to this post

@neveragainvaccines
Not sure this article will help, but has suggestions for protein sources. Hopefully few on list will not make you nausea. It is for patient who have had weight loss surgery, but could apply to anyone trying to meet their daily protein needs.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/tips-and-suggestions-for-eating-protein-after-a-bariatric-procedure-or-surgery/

REPLY
Denise | @denisestlouie | Oct 10 12:31pm

No you don't have to loose muscle mass. Eat healthy with plenty of protein and do strength training exercises twice a week if you are able or work with a trainer for strength and try to get some type of moderate exercise in daily

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