weight loss: hi, Has anyone experienced weight loss... - NRAS

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weight loss

jarujuda profile image
31 Replies

hi,

Has anyone experienced weight loss due to rheumatoid arthritis? I have lost about a stone in the last 3 years ,since diagnosed I have had blood tests via GP and rheumatologist but can’t explain why.

I take 12.5 methotrexate injection once a week. I am so tired all the time lately. 😞

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jarujuda profile image
jarujuda
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31 Replies
Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947

I wish. Due to not being so active I've put it on.

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toJackie1947

unfortunately I am getting too thin and I worry about my bones. 🤔

sylvi profile image
sylvi

I too wish i could lose weight. xxxx

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947 in reply tosylvi

Depending on your Dr surgery they can refer us to either Weight Watchers or Slimming World for free.

sylvi profile image
sylvi in reply toJackie1947

I have had weight loss surgery and i have lost over five stone in weight,, but i still struggle to lose weight as i am not very mobile.. xxxx

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947 in reply tosylvi

I understand. Just to encourage you I lost 5 stone over two years on a WW programme no excercise involved. Take heart it can be done

Sunshinereturns profile image
Sunshinereturns

I’m so sorry to hear this, that sounds frightening. This hasn’t happened to me in any worrying way. As it doesn’t seem to be a common side effect, could you ask for testing to rule anything else out? However it seems the rules of RA are there are no rules! That it makes some people pile on weight, and others lose it. That changing your diet helps some and not others. Is your appetite reduced by your symptoms? If you have the same appetite and are eating the same number of calories they should definitely be exploring why this is happening. I have lost some weight, but it’s clearly due to changing my diet as I eat more healthily to minimise inflammation.

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toSunshinereturns

thanks

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947 in reply tojarujuda

Its not a side effect just that worn out joints limit

I lost 10lbs in a week once due to shock. Have you been experiencing a lot of stress? I was really worried about losing more so started taking ‘complan’ once a day. Banana and strawberry flavours only though, the others are disgusting 🤢.

Like others here I have put weight on due to inactivity. ☹️

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply to

lots of stress!

Get your thyroid checked to make sure it’s not that. 🤞🏻

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply to

it’s fine. They tested me already. Do you think my meds could make me lose weight? I am down to 7stone8lbs now

in reply tojarujuda

I think it’s probably down to the stress you’ve been experiencing. Look at the NHS BMI calculator and aim to get back into the ‘healthy’ range. I would also speak to your GP about an IAPTS referral.

Hagaan Daaz Belgian chocolate icecream helped me also 😂. But complan worked to help alleviate my weight loss fears as well as helping in other ways.

Have a chat with your GP for some reassurance x

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply to

thanks x

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Actually one stone in 3 years is not that much……unless that is a high % of your body weight? I lost more than that in a few months on Leflunomide……..& I only weighed 50kgs ….about 71/2 stone at the time……..maybe as Mtx is suiting you- you are more active….therefore working off  weight? I think a lot of  people suffer fatigue on RA drugs …..maybe  you could ask to have a DEXA scan to see how your bones are doing….then have a drug review ?But  if you rheumy isn’t worried & you are eating the same …it may just be normal for you? 

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toAgedCrone

thanks

Leics profile image
Leics

I lost over 10KG last year in a couple of months but in my case it was down to side effects of antibiotics I had to keep having due to recurrent infection. If you’ve had bloods done and nothing has flagged up it could well be the stress you are under at the moment and are you really eating enough and looking after yourself if you’re stressed? I know I don’t eat as much as I should when life gets stressful so maybe that’s what is happening 🤷‍♀️ The thing with RA is that there are no rules and we are all different but maybe go have another chat with your GP coz there maybe something they’ve missed in the way of a deficiency of some kind. They should have access to all your blood test results even hospital monitoring ones so may be able to help.

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toLeics

thank you 😊

rabbits65 profile image
rabbits65

so many of us would just love to lose one stone in 3 years. It is far better to be a healthy thin than to be overweight because being overweight puts terrible extra strain on our poor joints.

Bails67 profile image
Bails67

I did when I was first diagnosed my consultant actually noticed! He said it’s because my RA was very . My weight is more stable now.

LinaM profile image
LinaM

I have the opposite problem I’m afraid . Every new med I put on at least half a stone that I can’t shift . 2 stone in 2 years . Neither situation is helpful … I hope you find something that helps xx

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toLinaM

thanks x

aliplayspiano profile image
aliplayspiano

I lost about two and a half stone in a few months when I was on leflunomide. I came off it because it wasn’t really controlling my RA. I had both a colonoscopy and gastroscopy to see if there was anything else going on but they were both clear. The consultant reckoned it was because my RA was uncontrolled at the time and I had little appetite. Once I was stable on a biologic the weight started to go back on. Now I have to be careful not to put on too much weight!

SheilaT3271 profile image
SheilaT3271

I too lost weight on Leflunomide and having taken myself off it after an accident and broken femur then realised how much it was suppressing my appetite. I’ve gone back on my Benepali but waiting to talk to my rheumatologist about alternatives to Leflunomide as I can’t afford to lose more weight and was finding myself exhausted from not eating sufficient food/nutrition.

Happy5 profile image
Happy5

I loss quite a bit of weight when I first developed RA , but once I started treatment my weight returned to more typical for me. My weight was regularly checked when I attended RA appts

Like others say hate not being able to do exercise like I did, cos I don't want to put pressure on my joints.

As others have said ask GP for a blood test to check thyroid other reasons for weight loss.

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toHappy5

hi, I have been worse lately as I have had foot surgery so can’t walk my dog or do my Pilates, I feel in more pain not moving 😞

Happy5 profile image
Happy5 in reply tojarujuda

Wow foot surgery no wonder you're struggling. I found having surgery (hips replaced) & not taking MTX consistently set off flares. Wondering if weight loss due to RA & not being in control? You deffo need to investigate, hope resolution happens soon. 🙂

jarujuda profile image
jarujuda in reply toHappy5

thanks 😊

NeasMacha profile image
NeasMacha

I’ve faced the same problem lately. The loss of appetite Is one of the symptoms of this disease. At first, I was happy to lose a few kilograms because I had never been skinny. However, now I miss the times I was thicker.

Jackie1947 profile image
Jackie1947

Happy to swap.😀 Either way we worry but hope all will be well

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