Weight gain on actemra

[brenda1207]

I was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis in March of 2018 and have been on Prednisone medication ever since. I did not have a significant weight gain with the initial prednisone medication but since I started Actemra in November 2019 I've gained over 20 lb. Has anyone else had a similar experience? What has been your best solution? Any support from your doctor's?

[allanah]

Yes it happened to me. With steroids and lack if exercise I actually gained a lot! I went to the weight management 5eam at the hospital( believing that I couldnt lose weight due to the drigs)

I was wrong. The dietician helped me with ( fir me) keto diet appetite suppressant and specialist blockers. I after a while started aqua aerobics which was much much easier form of moving in the water. I've now lost 8 and a half stone.

I use an app called my fitness pal to track my calories and activity each day. See your gp.about specialist weight management in your area xxx good luck

[brenda1207 in reply to allanah]

Thank you so much for your response! You've given me hope! I am walking 5 miles a day, doing water aerobics 3 days a week and using an online app called Noom 2 track my food intake.I've lost a tiny little bit but your response has given me hope to carry on and I don't feel so alone and depressed. Thank you!

[allanah in reply to brenda1207]

Message me anytime ! Its gard going at first but when you start seeing results it's great xx I'd thoroughly recommend keto ...it works

[brenda1207 in reply to allanah]

Thank you so much for your input Allanah!I was actually on a keto diet when I had the episode with GCA and lost vision in my right eye. Since then I've been on prednisone vitamin supplements methotrexate and now I'm on actemra and prednisone. With all these medications I've been afraid to continue with MCT oil on a keto diet. Are you doing bulletproof coffee in the morning with butter and MCT oil? I've been thinking about going back to it because I know it helps with appetite control. I'm interested in your thoughts on this. Looking forward to your response. Hope you're having a great day!

[allanah in reply to brenda1207]

Main thing is to do something you are comfortable and happy to do longterm. So whatever one works for you. Noom is good as it promotes mindful eating do should help longterm. And moving around us great when you can. Well done ...keep going

[brenda1207 in reply to allanah]

Thanks for your response! I agree that any action must be for the long term. I feel better just knowing there's someone out there that can relate to my issues. Thanks again for being there!

[dwsurquhart]

I have gained a lot on Actemra. I found it was water retention from the drug. I had my rheumatologist prescribe Lasix (ferosemide) water pill. After each monthly infusion I take 5mg pill once per day for 3 days. This gets the excess water out and I fell way better.

Do you have pitting edema in your legs?

If you do, contact your doctor and let them know you would like to try a diuretic. I had huge pitting edema for a couple months after starting actemra and a doctor friend to told me to try the lasix. I spoke it over with my gp and rheumatologist and started.

[brenda1207 in reply to dwsurquhart]

Thank you so much for your response! You've given me hope to carry on and I don't feel so alone and depressed. I'm walking everyday and trying to do 5 miles a day plus a water aerobics class 3 days a week. I'm using an online app called noon to monitor my food intake on a 1200 calorie diet. I've lost a tiny little bit but now I have hope to lose more. Thank you!

[lornaisobel]

join slimming world x