Glp-1 medication after breast cancer

Hello @cancerwifemom I am right there with you. Sadly it didn’t get any easier as time has gone on. I eat salad with a protein for most of my meals, I also am very active all day and walk at a pretty good clip constantly.
I got my oopherectomy, and started endocrine therapy in my 30’s and I had been rail thin every day of my life before. I haven’t had a thin day since.
My doctor prescribed me wegovy but my insurance wouldn’t cover, and at 1200.00 per month i purchased 3 months worth and I micro-dosed myself, stretching that to 9 months. I lost 11 pounds from 191 to 180. My A1C which had elevated slightly the previous year, dropped back to normal, and I struggled with constipation the entire time.
I decided not to continue, the limited benefit wasn’t worth the price tag. I still spend hours every day doing hard labor and eat salad almost every day for my main meal. I am strong and that is going to have to be enough. I just bought a larger horse. lol
I definitely think it is worth doing if you can afford to try it. I also think just giving ourselves some grace is worth a try as well, we have been through a lot.
Do you still feel strong and able to do the things you want?

I don't have direct experience, but my younger sister has triple negative breast cancer and she has gotten good support from a dietician. She also has blood sugar issues, so when and what she eats can be as important as the calories. A cancer center should have staff members who can consult--but I bet you could also get a referral from your oncologist. Don't be too hard on yourself in any case--eating to feel energetic and healthy is important too, not just numbers on a scale.

I have ER/PR+/HER2- IDC and both my lifestyle integrative medicine doc and primary doctor were fine with the GLP-1 to help with my weight loss, so it is definitely worth a conversation with your docs. Lilly Direct does offer vials instead of the auto injectors at a better price-> https://www.lilly.com/lillydirect/medicines (still pricey but a bit more doable). Additionally I also found this clinical research trial out of Baylor University looking at this very topic to research the potential benefits of GLP-1 in reducing BC reoccurrence. https://pages.bswhealth.com/breast-cancer-study.html Best wishes on your journey!

I have been asking about this for a while.. I said to my oncologist., since aromataise which comes from fat is creating estrogen is it not feasible that I lose weight first? He suggested I try Ozempic for weight loss while I also try inhibitors. But I'm all for the weight loss minus inhibitors as I don't want to gain any weight . My friend has 2 aunts in Georgia whose doctors have also them on ozempic post cancer treatments.. Thank you for the link to Baylor.. I did sign up as I meet criteria so will see.

Thank you all for the replies. I am on the east coast, so not even near mayo or Baylor. I have looked for clinical trials here but nothing is available.

I’ve worked with a dietician, exercise, eat healthy and rarely drink alcohol.

I’m just frustrated with my appearance. Not overweight enough to qualify for these meds alone, but definitely heavier than I want to be. I feel like with “other medical conditions” and my slightly high bmi I could qualify.

I keep hearing the glp 1 medications can help with menopause symptoms and I’m struggling with those due to tamoxifen and zoladex.

I feel like I’m still adjusting to this new version of myself and kinda miss the old me. I’ll talk to my oncologist next Tuesday and hoping he helps me out.

I am currently taking it- started about 4 months ago. It has helped lose some weight. I do have to watch what I eat carefully. I am very active. Doing healthy yoga, pranayama and walk- I would call myself a little chubby. ER +. HER - and am on Examestane . I am 62.

My acupuncturist recommended it( she is also an oncologist).

@prc73 I'm in the same boat.. ER/PR+/HER2-, stage 1 grade 3 IDC, 57 and already having menopause symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety and terrible insomnia. I had a lumpectomy & reduction, and start radiation in Jan, but I really want to avoid letrozole if at all possible. I have friends on it who tell me the joint pain is awful, besides the weight gain and high cholesterol. I'm getting a second opinion from a new oncologist tomorrow to ask about other ways to reduce estrogen in my system. 🙏

I had stage 1 breast cancer as a man. Do not remember all the specifics of the cancer. Had mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemo and now on 10 mg of Tamoxifen.
I am also type 2 diabetic, started with Ozempic, lost 10 lbs but could not go past 1 mg, as it was tough on my stomach. Switched to Mounjaro, lost additional 20 lbs.

Once I lowered the A1C by 2 points, my endocrinologist stopped the Jardiance. Mounjaro has the same protections as Jardiance, it was not needed any more. I take a combination of meds, which do not always play nicely, takes bit more will power to watch what I eat. Sometimes you fail.

I've been on Ozempic for 3 years now. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. The Ozempic did help me a lot, but the most progress I have felt has been since I removed ultra processed foods. In July I started clean eating habits. There's an app (open food facts from Nova) that you can scan for labels or look up foods to find out if they are ultra processed. I am feeling amazing despite being on the AI medication. My taste buds are better, my body feels younger and my overall health has improved. It is a fair amount of work to begin with. I needed to look up foods and start making my own favorite foods. i.e salad dressing, bread, coffee creamer, vanilla greek yogurt. I cut out all the supplements and eat what my body needs. Instead of a protein drink, I eat a couple of eggs. It's all been a game changer. If you want to hear a wonderful inspirational podcast on eating to fight cancer check out the Mel Robbins episode from July with the female oncologist from the Mayo clinic. Soooooo good!!!

I have been on Zepbound for 6 months after going through BC treatment in 2022. I gained weight with Lupron and AI. My oncologist said GLP-1s will become "standard" for women who gain weight after treatment. She enthusiastically supported me and I've lost about 25 pounds so far, with 10 more to go. My PCP, with help from my oncologist, wrote my insurance for a prescription that emphasized my BC and they covered it. It's really helped a lot.