Weight and energy: asked and answered

July 10, 2017

Hi, Tracy.
I had the shock of my life a few days ago (my recent life, anyway) when I got on the scales and was approaching 220, the weight I endured a few years ago before I took off 35 pounds. That led me to have an e-mail exchange with my oncology PA:

Asked:

 It's been 90 days. I'm still having hot flashes and night sweats, and I understand that this is probably normal. I am trying to drink lots of fluids, because once the hot flashes pass their greatest intensity I end up drenched with sweat.
I have two questions:
1. Does the treatment I had contribute to weight gain? I'm finding I am moving toward my greatest weight, and I'm not sure whether this is due to lack of discipline, or whether  this is naturally due to the effect of the hormone blockers, radiation, etc.
2. Is there a good strategy for regaining stamina? A little while ago I went on two short hikes (3 miles, 500-foot elevation gain) two days in a row, and my energy level was low. I had to stop a lot and rest, and then plod along slowly. But a week later I went on the same hike and had all sorts of vim and vigor. I'm wondering whether it was because I took a 30-minute nap in my car and then chugged a Mountain Dew (sugar and caffeine) before heading out. Based on that experience I'm tring to stress my body with a hike that takes a bit of work, and then rest 2-3 days to allow it to recover before challenging it again. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Answered:

Hello there. I hope you are enjoying your summer despite the hot flashes. 

1. Weight gain can occur with lupron injections (reported <13%). It usually occurs when men take it for a longer period of time but I have seen it. You may need to see how many calories you are taking in and how many you are burning. I am not an expert in calculating any of this. If you write down everything you eat and the amounts you can often see that you might be taking in more that you thought.

2. The testosterone blocking effect is leaving your body but it can take time for you to continue to recover your stamina. I am glad to hear you are hiking. I think it is important to do a little exercise every day. The nap and then the caffeine in the Mountain Dew most likely did fuel you short term for your hike. On the days where you are not hiking, walk 1-2 miles per day to keep your body moving. It does not have to be strenuous, just keep moving daily. Some days hikes go well and others not as well. Don't give up. Listen to your body and slow down if you need to. You are out there and that is good. 

That's all she wrote

Having read this after an afternoon of hiking at Flaming Geyser State Park, I said screw it and had a mug of whole milk and two pieces of Jessie's Key Lime Pie -- with meringue.
Love,

Dad