Navigating the maze of cancer treatment, I braced myself for a slew of gnarly side effects. However, one significant challenge I faced was chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy, a condition often overlooked until experienced firsthand.
Muscle atrophy is a loss of muscle mass, which leads to weakness and reduced mobility. In addition, several recent studies have connected it to chemotherapy treatment, attributing it to diminished physical activity levels, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), and cancer cachexia (weight loss and muscle wasting).
What is Cancer Cachexia?
Cancer cachexia plays a crucial role in this muscle loss. This complex metabolic syndrome causes a significant decrease in body weight, driven by the loss of adipose tissue (fat) and skeletal muscle atrophy. Intriguingly, it isn’t just the disease but the impacts of cancer treatment that fuel this condition. Patients with various cancer types, including breast, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, may experience this phenomenon. I most certainly did.
But what triggers cancer cachexia and associated muscle atrophy? A key player is oxidative stress. Both cancer cells and chemotherapy drugs can amplify the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress in muscle tissues. This stress disrupts protein synthesis, propelling muscle loss and protein degradation. In addition, it causes inflammation and insulin resistance, contributing to muscle atrophy.
Medical studies have shown that body fat plays a big part in muscle loss. When your body is under stress from illness, body fat releases substances that can worsen muscle loss. Also, when you lose body fat, you lose weight, and this can lead to even more muscle loss.
Muscle Atrophy: Not Just Physical
Muscle atrophy during my chemotherapy treatment did more than affect my physical strength; it also severely impacted my quality of life. As muscle strength diminished and everyday tasks became increasingly challenging, my confidence took a hit. The significant weight I dropped during treatment and the complete loss of muscle mass reflected a version of myself I struggled to accept.
In all honesty, it’s a catch-22. As a woman, we battle the stereotype of how a female body should look; in most cases, that’s thin. In turn, this ultimately leads to body dysmorphia for many women. I struggled with body image for most of my life. It was an obsession – eat very clean, work out, repeat. In every sense, I was considered a “healthy person,” and then I was diagnosed with colon cancer.
I lost weight fast. After the colectomy surgery, it started coming off, and once I began chemo, the cachexia set in, and I was down 26 pounds within three months. My body image about being overweight shifted to being too skinny. By losing weight and muscle in such a short amount of time, I looked sick, and I wouldn’t say I liked that.
Taking Back My Health During Treatment
After this shock, I knew I had to take action. As difficult as it was, I refused to let muscle atrophy keep me down. Here’s what I did:
- Maintaining Physical Activity: Regular, low-impact exercises like walking, gentle yoga, and light weights became my routine. I focused more on walking during my treatment weeks because that’s all I could do.
- Professional Guidance: I consulted with an on-staff dietician at the cancer center, who provided invaluable advice to navigate this challenge. She suggested increasing protein during treatment and avoiding diarrhea and nausea with the foods I consumed.
- Proper Nutrition: I focused on protein-rich foods and met my caloric needs despite a decreased appetite. I admit some days, eating was challenging, but I tried to make up for it on my “good” days. My stomach hurt nearly always, so I had to be gentle with my food. I stuck with easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods like grilled chicken, eggs, bananas, and oatmeal with blueberries. Vegetables were hard to tolerate, but there were some that I was able to eat, such as carrots, green beans, and squash.
Reversing Muscle Loss
But what if muscle atrophy has already set in? The good news is it’s not a death sentence for your muscles. Clinical studies suggest that it’s possible to regain muscle strength and mass, even after a significant loss.
Many studies provide promising insights. Patients with various cancer types, including lung and colorectal cancer, experienced a significant increase in muscle strength and mass after adhering to an exercise and nutrition regimen.
Balanced Nutrition
The saying “you are what you eat” holds more truth than you might think. Your body needs the proper nutrients to maintain and rebuild muscle mass.
- Protein: Protein is the building block of muscles. To stimulate muscle protein synthesis and inhibit muscle degradation, incorporate lean protein sources into your meals, like chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes.
- Calories: Muscle synthesis is an energy-intensive process. Make sure you’re consuming enough calories to support muscle growth. Add nutrient-dense foods like whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseeds, can slow down muscle loss and even promote muscle growth.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Certain vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, play a critical role in muscle function and strength. Ensure your diet contains food rich in these nutrients, such as dark leafy greens.
- Hydration: Hydration is crucial during chemotherapy. Dehydration can exacerbate muscle atrophy and hinder recovery.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is the most effective way to reverse chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy. Exercise helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, increase muscle mass, and improve muscle function. Remember, your body has been depleted from chemotherapy, so ease into exercise.
- Resistance Training: Also known as strength training, resistance training is proven effective in reversing muscle loss. This type of exercise works by causing microscopic damage to muscle fibers, which the body then repairs and strengthens during rest periods.
- Endurance Training: Endurance or aerobic exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming can also contribute to muscle growth, particularly in combination with resistance training.
- Flexibility Exercises: Flexibility exercises, like yoga and stretching, can help maintain muscle functionality and reduce stiffness often associated with muscle loss.
Road to Recovery
A significant part of my recovery journey was at-home physical therapy. Tailored to my needs and capabilities, my regimen focused on gradually rebuilding my strength and restoring muscle function. I eventually progressed to strength training, starting with simple stretching and mobility exercises.
The progression was slow because my body was achy, out of shape, and weak. A 20-minute strength training workout felt like I ran a marathon. However, as time passed, my appetite improved, and I could do more, like longer workouts, heavier weights, and short jogs.
Nutrition
Simultaneously, I revamped my diet. I had to be creative since there were a lot of foods my stomach couldn’t tolerate. I made sure to have nutrient-rich foods, particularly high-protein options like grilled chicken, tofu, Greek yogurt, and eggs. When meeting my caloric needs was challenging due to a diminished food intake and supplements bridged the gap, like spirulina and plant-based protein powder. Protein synthesis is critical for muscle growth, and ensuring a sufficient protein supply was non-negotiable. After I was done with treatment, I tried having at least 100 grams of protein a day.
The Emotional Battle
However, I quickly realized that overcoming chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy was not merely a physical battle. The emotional toll was just as, if not more, significant. I wouldn’t say I liked looking at myself in the mirror because all I saw was an unhealthy, sick, ugly person. Thankfully the support of my family and friends and professional mental health resources became my emotional buoy. The journey was challenging, but knowing I wasn’t alone made it bearable.
Dealing with the Effects of Cancer
In conclusion, chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy can be a daunting side effect, but it is not inevitable. With a proactive approach comprising regular physical activity, proper Nutrition, and professional Guidance, it’s possible to prevent and even reverse muscle atrophy.
My journey was a testament to the resilience of the human body and spirit. It taught me that while cancer cells might have initiated the battle, the victory was mine to claim. As I navigated the effects of cancer and chemotherapy treatment, I realized I was stronger than I had ever imagined.
Remember, it’s essential to consult with healthcare professionals when embarking on new exercise regimens or diet changes. This blog is based on my experience and does not replace professional medical advice.
