Prednisolone!

[StateOfPlay]

I take Pred, Methotrexate 25mg a week, Hydroxychloroquine @400mg a day, and 2700mg of Gabapentin a day. My weight has skyrocketed. I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life, and it's all down to how much junk food, chocolate and crisps I am eating. As I am also suffering from Trigeminal nerve pain I have been speaking to a Neurologist who said the two main issues with weight gain and/or preventing weight loss with my current drugs 'regime' are the Gabapentin and the Pred. I spoke about my weight gain with the Rheumy Nurse and shared what the Neurologist said so we agreed to reduce the Pred. I am now taking just 1mg a day, having reduced slowly each week from 10mg a day. I have noticed the joints in my fingers and toes are a bit more painful and 'tight', but it is a means to an end.

I still have a lot of pain in my right ankle, had this since July time, so walking is uncomfortable and that has always been my main form of exercise. Before RA I would walk about 3 miles a day of an evening. If I try that now the pain in my ankle is murderous for a few days afterwards. I already take Naproxen every day and I am not keen to take any other painkillers to "walk through" the pain.

I would like to try swimming, but having put on 3 stone in such a short space of time I now have really pronounced "moobs" and I am embarrassed to get into a public swimming pool.

I am going to adjust my diet and try to lose weight this way, but I know that exercise really helps me to quell my hunger and need a good way to exercise without being in massive pains for days afterwards.

Apologies for the long story, but the question I have is, what form of exercises do you do that do not put too much pressure on your joints?

[Boxerlady]

I go to Aquafit classes which are good fun and very gentle on the joints. There are folk of all shapes and sizes there, mostly those who would be classed as overweight tbh, and several who have real problems walking but who are fine in the pool - same for those swimming. I really don't think that you would feel out of place so please give it a try 😁

[welsh12]

Pilates but you won't really lose weight

[Leics]

A very good friend of mine started taking gabepentin and put on a massive amount of weight they weren’t taking steroids. My friend said their appetite was ridiculous and they were always hungry and craving junk food. They changed to another drug and the cravings and constant hunger stopped and the weight reduced. Trying another form of exercise is always a good thing but maybe re look at the gabepentin for an alternative?

[StateOfPlay in reply to Leics]

Yes I could eat the proverbial horse even after I have had breakfast lol. But it's got to ridiculous levels, my weight that is, so I must take action.

[bpeal1]

Would wearing a rash vest (the t-shirt type things surfers wear) in the pool help with your self confidence? I have seen people wear them in swimming pools.

[StateOfPlay in reply to bpeal1]

I will look into that, thank you!

[Mostmoses]

I also gained weight on steroids but it’s falling off now that I have weaned off them (takes 6 months to a year, so not a quick cure, but steady). I have a stationary reclining bike that helps a lot-I have quite bad knees and one problematic ankle and the bike doesn’t hurt me-might be something to try!

[StateOfPlay in reply to Mostmoses]

Glad to hear that coming off the steroids helped to lose the weight again. I am finding that my joints are more painful as I am now off the steroids, but I will speak to the Rheumy Nurse if it gets too bad I can't do simple tasks. I have a treadmill and used to love using that as I found it strengthened my bad knee (had 2 ops on my right knee in the last 6 years) but my ankle is so painful I can't even do that.

[cyberbarn]

you say that you know that exercise really helps you to quell your hunger, but have you tried knitting?

I have found that if I am knitting I can't snack at the same time (gets the wool really messy!) and that it occupies my mind, especially if I am listening to the radio or watching TV at the same time. Same goes for drinking alcohol. So after dinner my son and I listen to the half hour funny thing on Radio 4 at 6.30pm, and I knit. Then I am not tempted to eat any more food.

Knitting used to be a men's thing back before knitting machines took over and knitting became a hobby. I believe that it has become a men's thing again thecraftygentleman.net/2015...

As others have said, just exercise isn't the answer, so how about grabbing the knitting needles every time you want to snack. Other creative hobbies are available!

[Wantplaytennis]

Hi moob man,have similar probs with ankles and toes so walking and treadmill a no go.I've managed ok with cycling machine at my gym as my weight is not transferred directly downwards onto my feet.it's also good for essential cardio fitness.

I would suggest trial a day fee at a gym that has exercise bikes see how you get on.

If ok a home exercise bike purchase be ok.

Either way your gonna pay!

[wilbertjellyfish]

I swim and I'm not skinny. If you enjoy it get in the pool, no offence but no one is looking at you anyway so don't be embarrassed. I'm sure not every one at your pool is a model and people do come in all shapes and sizes. I'm also on steroids and to be honest couldn't say that I've gained loads of weight, like I said I'm not skinny dress size 16/18 but always was. The gabapentin can also cause appetite increase from my understanding so it might be worth considering increasing the pred and reducing the gaba to see if it helps.

I also always say exercise is about 20% of weight management diet is a big factor. Planning meals reduces your time spent thinking about food and allows you to look forward to your next meal, knowing what it is, rather than looking in the fridge and nibbling whilst trying to work out what to eat. Advice I also need to follow. When I try to lose weight I also allow myself a day off each week, like a Sunday as it has to be long term and sustainable.

Good luck.

[Deeb1764]

swimming is the best. Have you looked at finding maybe a hotel with pool as they sometimes have really quiet times and don’t charge much ? It might help till you feel more confident again to back in the pool in a quiet place 🥰

[J1707-]

I use to be very active and I still watch what I eat but my weight has sky rocketed too . I love walking but like you ankle problems prevented it . Eventually found I had Achilles tears and needed a steroid injection. It helped but I still found walking difficult. I saw a podiatrist and had custom made orthotics. A game changer I was able to walk 2 miles a day then I had flare after flare then a severe reaction to a new med and I had severe peripheral neuropathy. Walking became impossible again. I am now waiting for new orthotics as my gait has changed again my feet are 2 sizes bigger and a size wider due to splayed feet caused by RA . My podiatrist assured me I will walk again 🤞I really do think you should think about a podiatrist expensive privately but the waiting list is so long on the NHS . Something yo think about

[StateOfPlay in reply to J1707-]

Thank you. I have a referral to a team called 'Circle' made by the NHS Rheumy Nurse to help with my fingers and wrists. I can raise the ankle issue with them as well. It's on the 8th of Feb so I will wait until then as I will have been taking the maximum amount of Methotrexate for just over 3 months. I do very much hope your podiatrist is right and you get that chance to walk again. We have a public footpath that goes through the middle of a private woodland near us, and it's so peaceful and full of wildlife. I miss it so much!

[Taichigirl]

sorry but I think Naproxen isn’t usually advised with Methotrexate. It’s said to stop the Mtx from working properly. Check with yr rheum nurse . Good luck & hope you get sorted x

[Autolupus]

I put on 2 stone on prednisolone, could have eaten the door off the hinges I was so ravenous. Some of it dropped off when I stopped but still massively over weight. Swimming is great and tbh no one is looking at you. Maybe try and find an aqua aerobics class or a pool that is less busy. Also I found swimming put a strain on my back so I bring an aqua jogging belt to the pool and basically jog in the deep end adding in some upper body exercises (learned at aqua aerobics classes) so basically a treadmill but non weight bearing. Wear a t shirt if self conscious but don't let what others might think stop u from getting your health back.