Megestrol - steroid for weight gain - MEDICAL

ImSTILLtrying

ImSTILLtrying

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so, I have a brain tumor and going through chemo; I lost 37lbs.

they JUST scripted me this and I will be picking up and starting tomorrow; I am wondering if anyone has used before and what it was like? how fast was the weight put on, how easy was it to work w/, did you feel any different, etc.

ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREAT! so, I have a brain tumor and going through chemo; I lost 37lbs. I NEED to gain some back; down to 132 from 170 roughly over a 6 month period w/ my chemo.

It's gotten to the point clothes just dont fit, things are just too heavy, etc. so they have given me this.

any info is great info.

Tks.
 
I'm really sorry to hear that ImSTILLtrying!

Not sure if you're male or female, but very very few people here will have used megestrol acetate because it's not an anabolic steroid, it's a progestin that, as a side-effect, significantly enhances appetite.

It actually lowers circulating androgens and antagonises the androgen receptor (it's an 'anti-androgen'), so if you were male, this would probably be a major problem for you.

Regards, CFC
 
CFC said:
I'm really sorry to hear that ImSTILLtrying!

Not sure if you're male or female, but very very few people here will have used megestrol acetate because it's not an anabolic steroid, it's a progestin that, as a side-effect, significantly enhances appetite.

It actually lowers circulating androgens and antagonises the androgen receptor (it's an 'anti-androgen'), so if you were male, this would probably be a major problem for you.

Regards, CFC
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I am a male, so youre saying my DICK wont be working so much, huh? because I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE IT! and maybe I wont. I am only on chemo 2 more months and will fight the weight loss myself. it would be great to help gain whatever I can w/ an appetite but I do not want to RUIN other things as I do so, ya know?
 
Unfortunately it will probably kill your sex drive and potentially cause some loss of lean muscle tissue and maybe hairloss if you don't have any already from chemo. It's a double-edged sword trying to treat cachexia from cancer as I'm sure you can appreciate.

If they gave you anabolic steroids (the kind that will boost muscle weight), there's a chance that they would elevate growth factors (called IGF/IGF-1) that could potentially enhance the growth of tumour cells.

Another option is an antihistamine called cyproheptadine (periactin). This enhances appetite but without as many side-effects, although you would feel quite lethargic and sleepy during the day, at least initially. You could discuss this with them.

Alternatively have you tried simply blending up meal replacement shakes with tasty stuff in like fruit, peanut butter, milk, juice, oats, protein powder, ice-cream and so on and drinking them down alongside your regular meals? Because you're drinking it, you may find it bypasses the need for an appetite.
 
I have a stage 2 chemo; not a killer YET but its been a 9 month chemo cycle; no hair less, there was no radiation but surely a rough 9 months.

was about 170 when round 1 started. round 5 i was 150. now started last rough I am 132. i want to stop losing but dont want to lose hair (I have plenty; still young) or have any other side effects because aside from weight loss and slight light hardheadedness and throwing up w/ meds here and there, I do not want anything to happen.

ill finish out 2 month and gain back. I did it my first chemo ill do it again.
 
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Great attitude mate. You certainly can do it if you've done it before. And if you struggle, at least you know you still have some pharmaceutical options to call on.
 
That's terrible to hear man, I really hope you get through it well! Curious - have you tried or considered cannabis to increase appetite? I don't at all mean to recommend it so to speak, but this would be one of its best therapeutic uses.
 
Anyone reading this thread I would hope, couldn't help but feel some element of sadness for the author, currently undergoing chemo for a brain tumor...

I'm sure we all here in PED wish him well with the possibility of a speedy recovery, if that is truly possible...

A big thank you, as always goes out to CFC for his taking the time to answer the concerns of the OP, in what must be very concerning times..

I will address a particular quote kindly written by CFC:
If they gave you anabolic steroids (the kind that will boost muscle weight), there's a chance that they would elevate growth factors (called IGF/IGF-1) that could potentially enhance the growth of tumour cells.
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Put in layman's terms AAS could potentially kill him...

It is with revulsion and total disgust, that some despicable lowlife individual has offered to sell him AAS on this forum in the full knowledge of the consequences...

This despicable piece of filth goes by the username of: nydj77...

I don't wish to see him in our forum again... All and any future post will be deleted...
 
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^^ I think he's been banned for ignoring requests to stop soliciting. But I agree mate, what a sick thing to recommend.
 
trozzle said:
That's terrible to hear man, I really hope you get through it well! Curious - have you tried or considered cannabis to increase appetite? I don't at all mean to recommend it so to speak, but this would be one of its best therapeutic uses.
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That's something I didn't consider. I think you can actually get medicinal versions for cachexia now trozzle?
 
Tried the weed thing many times; doesnt help the hungry. also, I am a bit out of it when smoking. I'd love to try this stuff but just doesnt seem something I want to put myself through at 33; I still have a full head of hair and whatnot and last thing I need is anything to happen.

ill stick it out another 2 months and just see what happens.
 
so, I've decided to give it a try for the same reasons I said I was NOT going to use; now I am using, lol. stupidity, I know. esp. just doing the opposite of what I said the other day.

I am 33 and will be 34 in a few months; I might as well take the medication now rather than wait it out or use at a different age; I dont THINK ill have the problems mentioned but who knows; what I do know is I've had a few runs w/ steroids and never had any hair loss or any of the types of problems mentioned.

I am just far too skinny and need to get my strength back where it was; kills me when it comes to being so damn weak, man.
 
I don't think it's stupid to be uncertain in a situation like yours. The worst that can happen is that you have to stop taking the megestrol because it doesn't agree with you. I wouldn't worry about the sides too much - you can probably cope with a reduced libido for a few months better than losing any more weight.
 
been a few days and not seeing much of a difference. maybe it takes some time?

ill keep it up for a month and we'll see. the Nurse who recommend it actually said liquid might/is usually better but I started w/ pill since I really dont like taking liquid.

even to gain 10lbs would be great at this point.
 
Absolutely takes time mate :) Even relatively short acting orals won't necessarily give you any immediately noticeable results.
 
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