Weighty weight

[28maggie11]

Any hints on losing weight on a Jac inhibitor? I have gained a lot of weight since starting this drug . I am on filgotinib. Working so far although I can feel body stiffening up (please no)Trying 1200 calories a day only one week so far scared to weigh myself in case lost nothing. Tuesday weigh in. Ty

[J1707-]

I would love to know the answer to this . Told repeatedly that it’s not the drugs. I have a good diet but still can’t loose weight. Told weight training is the best for my age (55) 😂😂 would love to punch them in the nose some day’s lifting a cup of tea is like a workout. I’ve given up and treat myself now my weight doesn’t go up when I do so no longer flay myself over it. Good luck 🤞

[Pebblescat in reply to J1707-]

I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m constantly told this and it is impossible! As well as being on biologics I have also been on steroids for 16 years (recently stopped these as they don’t work anymore) and am on menopause. I wish there was a magic solution but so far I’ve not found it!

[Deeb1764]

I tired WW and I did lose 3 stone but I have now crept back up as so many steroids. GP said even a 1lb a week or 2 is a goal dont over set the target as its so much harder with the drugs and lifestyle we land up having if not in a good place.

My main thing is DONT buy the crap foods if not in the house you can eat it!

[28maggie11 in reply to Deeb1764]

So true I am trying to stick to 1200 calories incorporating a treat. This Tues going for afternoon tea which I a going to enjoy and make up another day. Onwards and upwards. Tried before and never lost an ounce. So disheartening

[Deeb1764 in reply to 28maggie11]

Just enjoy the cream tea don't sit there thinking I should not, its TREAT!

[28maggie11 in reply to Deeb1764]

I intend to then get back on diet. Going on a cruise in May so goal is set

[Honeybee61]

My main tip is to try and do it with someone else. Either a class or friend or family member that you don't mind weighing in front of! My daughter and I are using the Slimming World books from before (bit of a yo-yo dieter!🤦‍♀️) and are doing very well. Good luck, let us know how you get on Tuesday. 🙂

[Chocnbags]

I am also on Filgotinib and have had weight gain I put it down to the menopause,.but I do also eat a lot of biscuits especially after work in the evening. I have started the 800 calorie blood sugar diet . And lost 2lb last week . If you want a diet buddy let me know x

[Runrig01]

I was informed by a rheumatologist that it’s not the drug as such causing the weight gain, but the fact you have less inflammation due to using the med. when your flaring and have high levels of inflammation, you burn a lot of calories trying to keep the inflammation under control. Once the meds are controlling inflammation, you need less calories, as you’re not fighting inflammation.

I’m on steroids for life, and despite getting down to 3mg I still cannot shift the pounds. I don’t eat processed food, and cook everything from scratch. I know mine is more what I drink, I don’t have a sweet tooth, so rarely eat biscuits, cakes or desserts. I do however have enjoy a glass of wine, or the bottlegreen cordials or lattes with the syrups. I need to get back to enjoying plain old water, so easy yet I struggle.

[Hallwood in reply to Runrig01]

Yes, I've had that weight gain explanation too from my consultant. Also like you I don't eat processed food or takeaways etc so it is baffling. Unless the medical professionals have it wrong of course, and our experiences might finally be listened to. After all weight gain isn't good for joints.I've recently managed to lose some weight by moving my main meal to lunch time and have a very small, light early evening snack.

[Runrig01 in reply to Hallwood]

that’s good to hear. Unfortunately my hubby likes his home cooked meals, so eating at lunch isn’t an option. He doesn’t get home till 7, so sometimes it’s 8pm I’m sitting t fry own to dinner, in front of the tv, which isn’t a good thing either.

I have a hiatus hernia, so cannot tolerate large portions, or several courses. I think if I had drinks with zero calories, I’d be sorted. Sounds so easy 😂

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Runrig01]

That sounds a vg explanation…

[cyberbarn]

have you had your thyroid tested recently?

I have hypothyroidism and was really struggling with my weight. The NHS only tests THS which isn't useful for seeing what is really going on so I also get a private test for T3 and T4. And T3 was always very low.

When I went on methotrexate I started losing weigh and feeling much better. I did my thyroid test and sure enough the TSH went very low, T4 was higher but within range, and joyfully, finally, T3 was higher.

So it looks like the inflammation was hampering my thyroid gland as well as the cells around the body by not producing enough T3. When the inflammation was damped down, things went back to normal.

And this is the problem with humans, we are not divided into silos the way the NHS is, everything interacts with everything else. But it is difficult to figure out what interacts with what, especially if we can't find supportive clinicians that have the time to listen to us, but all have the time to have a broader training and understanding of what goes on in our bodies.

I hope you can figure out what is causing your weight gain, and can manage to counter it.

[28maggie11 in reply to cyberbarn]

Ty

[Tempo57]

Hi 28maggie11,

I’ve lost over a stone in weight over the past year. I cut down on carbohydrates to less than 50 gm of carbs a day, (no calorie counting or cutting), and I serve smaller portions, never going back for “seconds” any more. It has worked for me…albeit steadily. No immediate big weight loss, just a gradual 1 lb here and there which I’m delighted with.

I now have my back waist again! Hope this helps and good luck.

All the best, T57

[28maggie11 in reply to Tempo57]

ty I am calorie counting and getting into swing.

[Gottarelax in reply to Tempo57]

Low carb is the best way for me to lose weight. I start by eating as much as I want so long as very low carb. This gets me over the sugar craving and fluctuating blood sugar levels and in the first week I get a good weight loss due reducing fluid retention. After a week, I start reducing portions and having less in between meals and while I do have to have a little will power to eat less, I find it easier than if I go low fat. I generally lose a 1lb a week. I used to do intermittent fasting alongside which was my best approach but with drugs, I have to eat at the beginning and end of day. Unfortunately, when I do eat more sugar I quickly gain weight due to feeling much more hungry all the time.

[Tempo57 in reply to Gottarelax]

Thank you Gottarelax for posting your regimen. I will take your advice and adjust some of eating my habits too and see if I can loose 1lb a week.

Presently I seem to be stuck at the same weight now that I’ve lost my stone and a quarter and I need to getting it moving down again. Fortunately I’ve never cared for sugar or sweet things. However, sugar is found (unexpectedly), in most bought foods so home cooking with natural ingredients is a must, including my favorites, veg.

[Doodlereggie]

hi there I am due to start on this drug this week and am trying to get as much info as possible .have you heard that people commonly put on weight.I am very underweight with a bmi of 16.6 and for me it would be an added bonus!I am type 2 diabetic so eat wisely but am still 6 stone10lbs.need to build up some muscles for strength.how long have you been on it and has it helped with pain and mobility.good luck with your dieting.

[28maggie11 in reply to Doodlereggie]

I have been on it for 26 weeks. Off for 3 beginning of January as on antibiotics. No side effects so feeling positive although for last week or so hand stiff when I wake. Scared it is starting to fail. Good luck

[Jan101050 in reply to 28maggie11]

have you put on weight ?

[oldtimer2]

I put on loads of weight while on high dose steroids. Over the last six years (since getting down to 5mg maintenance dose) I have managed to gradually lose weight (14Kg). I don't eat after my last meal at 6pm and just have fruit for breakfast at about 7.30am. I eat a mediterranean diet otherwise and don't have cake in the house. I do eat some biscuits but only high fibre ones. Only very occasional sour dough bread.

It worked for me, but it took me some time to find what worked for me - I tried calorie restriction( boring and difficult when cooking for others) , intermittent fasting (made me evil) and increased exercise would just be a no-no (although I do daily exercises, some walking slowly, gardening and yoga) - it would take an awful lot of exercise to burn up what you take in anyway!

I think you have to find what works for you personally - it may be joining a slimming group, intermittent fasting, avoiding high calorie foods....

[junik53]

Hi I am on many meds that could be responsible for my weight gain ,I started at Slimming World after Xmas and have lost about 8lb in total. Very slow loss ,some people loose that much and more in a week,but I have to be realistic as I have so much against me ie ,meds,age 69, having Ps Arthritis,fibromyalgia,heart problems. But I am determined as carrying the extra weight makes my conditions worse. I find that Slimming World is an achievable diet,so more likely to stick to it. I enjoy meeting with people who have similar problems and who give support to you when the going gets tough.Not keen on the clappy bits tho lol. Calorie counting is just as good . All diets are same really ,just making sure that you consume less energy (calories)than energy used, easy sum really,but hard to do.

[28maggie11 in reply to junik53]

yes the clappy bit put me off. Now that I have started I aam finding it easier. Will post on Tuesday and let you all know if I have lost any weight

[Hobbledehoy in reply to junik53]

Well done. I have often heard that slow weight loss is the most sustainable.

[Pulfs]

I also started at Slimming World 6 wks ago and so far have lost 9lb. I find the support of a group is working for me and the meal plan easy to follow. Hope you find something that works for you and stay well x

[mld78]

hi, I am aged 60. Have RA. Been on DMARDS for over 15 years. I can’t have any steroids as they cause me to hallucinate and I end up in hospital! But I was just gaining and gaining weight. So I now eat 100 calories for breakfast ( toast + marmite), 130 calories at lunch (36 cal soup in a mug & a slice of bread). In the evening we eat two veg, carbs and usually a vegetarian main dish or 100g fish. I’m averaging about 1200 calories a day including a daily treat.

I have lost 22kg over 32 months and am now a stable weight. BMI is 27.4 which RA nurse says is too high but I’m happy! I have lost the weight very slowly, so slowly that neighbours haven’t really noticed. It was just looking at some photos last week that one neighbour came around and showed me what I had looked like!!

I have an iPhone and input my weight into a free app each week. The phone knows my age etc and says I use 1200 calories a day in living. If I manage to exercise (difficult when my feet are in a flare)! any exercise calories get recorded in the app etc

I love biscuits so i make my own. I’ve adapted a recipe so it has olive oil in rather than butter. An app tells me they have about 80 calories in. I enjoy one a day. They’re made with wholemeal flour and oats so I’ve convinced myself that they’re a good treat!

I only managed to lose this weight as it was the right time for me. I didn’t join any groups, just decided one day I had to do it. Every Christmas, Easter and Valentines etc people give me chocolate. I eat it but slowly.

I hope you do what you want to regarding your weight. M.

[28maggie11 in reply to mld78]

I am averaging 1200 a week and managing a little exercise so onwards and upwards. Tomorrow is weigh in day let you all know

[Texgirl]

I don't care what the doctors say - I was skinny my whole life. Went on several different med for RA and I gained weight with no diet change what so ever. I stopped drugs because they just don't work for me and I'm back down to my original weight - with no diet change. Explain that!

[Pastels]

sorry to hear that, I haven’t had that side effect from Filgotinib. One of my friends joined slimming world and over a year lost the weight she needed to and more importantly kept it off. The very best of luck!!

[28maggie11]

Weighed on Tuesday 3 pounds off. Hoping to lose more this week notepad and 1200 calories and some exercise thank you all for advice