In the past, weight loss was one of the most devastating side-effects that people having chemotherapy treatments had. The weight loss usually came as a result of uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhea. However, medicines to prevent vomiting and diarrhea have improved so much, that weight loss is usually less of a problem than weight gain during treatment.
Unintended weight loss is a common symptom of lymphoma, but during and after treatment, many patients report distress at changes in their weight including unintended weight gain and loss.
This page will give an overview of weight changes related to treatment and the time after treatment. For information on weight loss as a symptom of lymphoma, please see the link below.
Weight loss
Weight loss can happen during and after treatment for lymphoma for several reasons. These can include:
- Nausea and vomiting leading to you eating less,
- Diarrhea,
- Dehydration due to not drinking enough water, excessive sweating or diarrhea,
- Malnutrition – not getting the right nutrients and calories for your body’s needs
- Loss of muscle mass.
Management
If you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, please see the links below for more information on how to manage these and stop losing more weight. The below pages will also provide information on eating a healthy diet and drinking enough fluids to keep you hydrated.
If you're sweating a lot, feeling hot or getting chills take your temperature. If it is 38º(degrees) or more, go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital. Tell them you are having treatment for lymphoma and have a temperature. Please also see the link below on Neutropenia - Infection risk.
Dehydration may be caused by vomiting or diarrhea. Please see the links above if you have either of these. To recognise symptoms of dehydration and learn how to prevent dehydration, read on.
Signs of dehydration
- weight loss
- dry skin, lips and mouth
- delayed healing if you hurt yourself
- dizziness, changes to your vision or headaches
- low blood pressure and fast heartbeat
- changes to your blood tests
- fainting or weakness.
Tips to prevent dehydration
- Wearing loose fitting clothes made from natural material such as cotton, linen or bamboo.
- Drinking cool or cold water, cordial or juice (avoid this if you are having a chemotherapy called oxaliplatin).
- Put a cool wet flannel or face washer at the back of your neck and on your head (this can also help when you feel nauseous).
- If you have a leather or synthetic lounge, use a cotton, linen or bamboo towel or sheet to sit on over the lounge.
- Use a fan or air-conditioning if you have one.
- Drink at least 2 or 3 litres of water each day. If you can’t drink that much water you can also drink cordial, fruit juice, watery soup or jelly. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol as these can dehydrate you even more.
How to rehydrate
The only way to rehydrate is to replace the fluids that you have lost. If you can tolerate eating and drinking, try some of the below foods and drinks to rehydrate. It may be easier if you have small snacks or sips through the day rather than large drinks or meals. You need 2-3 litres of fluid every day to maintain healthy levels.
If you cannot tolerate food and drinks, you need to go the emergency department at your nearest hospital. Thay may need to give you fluids through cannula or central line straight into your blood stream.
Foods and drinks to rehydrate
Fruits and vegetable | Drinks | Other foods |
Cucumber Watermelon Celery Strawberries Cantaloupe or rock melon Peaches Oranges Lettuce Zucchini Tomato Capsicum Cabbage Cauliflower Apples Watercress | Water (can be flavoured with cordial, juice, lemon, lime, cucumber or fresh herbs if you prefer) Fruit juice Decaffeinated tea or coffee Sports drinks Lucozade Coconut water
| Ice cream Jelly Watery Soup and broth Plain yoghurt |
Some herbs and nutritional supplements can interfere with your treatments for lymphoma. Some interactions can make the treatment less effective, while others may make your side-effects from treatment worse.
Always speak to your haematologist or pharmacist before taking anything new, and ask if it is safe to take during treatment.
Weight gain
Weight gain can be a distressing side-effect of treatments. Even if you have always been very active, have a good metabolism and continue to exercise during treatment, you may notice you put on weight easily, and have more difficulty losing it.
There are several reasons you may gain weight during treatment. Click on the headings below to learn more about possible causes of your weight gain.
Some cancer treatments can cause you to retain fluid. This fluid can sometimes leak out of your lymphatic system and into other parts of your body. This fluid retention is called oedema (sounds like eh-deem-ah).
Oedema can make you look puffy or swollen and can affect any part of your body. It is common to get oedema in your legs. When you have oedema in your legs, you may find that if you press on your leg with your finger, that when you remove your finger, and indentation of your finger remains where you pressed.
Oedema can also affect your heart and lungs. If this happens you may:
- have difficulty breathing or feel out of breath for no reason
- get chest pain or changes to your heart beat
- fell very unwell.
Management
Your doctor will likely do blood tests to check your liver and kidney function and also check a protein in your blood called albumin. You may need to:
- check your weight at the same time every day.
- have an infusion of albumin if this is low. Albumin helps to pull the fluid back into your lymphatic and blood vessels.
- take tablets to help remove the fluids such as frusemide (also called Lasix) which will make you wee (urinate) more. You may even be given this intravenously straight into your blood through a cannula or central line.
Managing side-effects
Knowing the cause of your weight changes is the first step to normalising your weight. If your weight changes are a result of other side-effects, you need to manage those. See the link below for tips on how to manage different side-effects at home and when you should get medical advice.
If you have finished treatment, you may like to visit our finishing treatment page to learn more about what to expect.
Support available
If you are concerned about the changes to your weight, speak with your doctor or nurse and ask what can be done to help you.
Depending on the cause of your weight changes your GP or haematologist may be able to refer you to a:
- dietician
- exercise physiologist
- physiotherapist
- occupational therapist
- psychologist.
Lymphoma Australia Nurses
Our nurses are here to support you. You can call our patient support line on 1800 953 081 Monday-Friday 9am to 4:30pm QLD time for nursing support and advice. You can also email our nurses at nurse@lymphoma.org.au
Summary
- Weight changes are common for people with lymphoma. It can be a symptom of lymphoma, side-effect of treatments or result due to changes in your activity levels or diet.
- Understanding the cause of your weight changes is important to prevent more problems and help to regulate your weight.
- There is support available. Talk to your nurse or doctor about what is available near you.
- Managing side-effects that are affecting your diet and activity levels can help to stop more changes in your weight.
- Talk to your doctor, nurse or call our Lymphoma Australia nurses if you are concerned about your weight.
