Weight gain

[Cydney96]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying so hard to lose weight and not really getting anywhere.

Has anyone noticed weight gain whilst being on benepali?? I’m not on any pain killers, steroids etc.

Really struggling ☹️

[hawker955]

Hello Sydney/Cydney,

I think that some biologicals might be associated with weight gain especially at the midriff due to an anti-inflammatory effect on something called Interleukins. My rheumatologist was unaware of this but it is published research in the USA. Also there might be the effect that sufferers are less inclined to undertake prolonged exercise which doesn't help!

[Hidden in reply to hawker955]

That’s interesting. Do you happen to know why it’s around the mid section? I do think the fact that people with RA tend to be less active due to the disease itself leads to weight gain but I, too, had heard about biologics and weight gain but I’ve never read anything about why it happens.

[nomoreheels]

My thoughts are unless you have a good metabolism not only can the meds cause weight gain, steroids are the usual suspect even though you're not on them, the disease itself can. When we're not particularly well controlled we don't exercise or even move around as we probably would have pre RD & are somewhat more sedentary? I know I can't run up & down stairs like I used to so what else aren't I doing? I'm in my ninth year of RD so I guess the little extra weight has crept on gradually as I'm a size heavier than I was before diagnosis. Whilst I've never been prone to weight gain, in fact I was thin as a rake as a child & a skinny minny through my adult life, envious of the girls with curves, but since the menopause I'm definitely thicker round my middle where I don't want it, can't win. If you're really bothered by it do mention your concerns to your Rheumy or nurse, obviously it's better if we don't trouble our joints more with a little extra weight.

[Amy65]

Cydney96 I found when I was on remacade the drip 1 I put on 2 stone which was awful I'm only 5 foot 2 so didn't help my joints .I'm on my 8th biologic and lost the weight I'm now 10stone sometimes under .my gp gave me 3mths gym .membership on nhs and when that ran out I kept going .don't get me wrong I don't lift weights or run .I walk on treadmill then bike cross trainer it does help with ur joints or a swim helps keeps me healthy and the weight of amy

[Hidden]

Inflammation in itself can cause weight gain. Have you tried an anti-inflammatory diet for autoimmune disease?

thepaleomom.com

I started this 3 years ago, got off all pain killers, blood pressure meds lost all my excess weight but last year went back to old ways of eating and now I’m flaring, 2 stone heavier and low.

It’s worth a look.

Kiki x

[nymima01 in reply to Hidden]

Excellent points you make! My daughter is the one with RA and when she’s good she trims down a bit, but when she starts with the carbs again her pain and weight increase.

[Hidden in reply to nymima01]

Yes they are inflammatory 🙁