Can drugs used for RA cause weight gain.

[avjh]

My weight seems to keep going up and up even though I eat less than others.I have had RA for over five years now and have had to take lots of drugs.During the last year I have had three kenalog? injections,inject methotrexate once a week and two months ago started on cimzia.I also take paracetemol and ibuprofen when needed.I used to be quite slim before I developed RA.

I'm now three dress sizes larger.I hate shopping for clothes and nothing looks good on me.

Has anyone else had this problem.Any help or tips would be great.

[Gina_K]

Steroids cause weight gain especially round the face and tummy and upper arms ( in my experience)

Will go with bit of effort when ceased.

Gina

[LavendarLady]

Yep, the RA drugs do cause weight gain and that includes the MTX as well as any steroids. My weight has rocketted since I was first diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago. I have gone from a size 10/12 to a size 16/18 and nothing I do seems to bring it down although I did lose 20 lbs on the Dukan Diet. But I still fluctuate up and down. The steroids are the worst offenders but sometimes we do need them.

I think all you can do is try to eat healthily, cut out biscuits, cakes etc. make sure you get fruit and veggies every day and cut out fatty meats such as lamb. Plenty of oily fish for the Omega 3 etc. And avoid too much alcohol which are high in calories.

Hope that helps. LavendarLady x

[Jo090807]

Hi there avjh,

I too are on MTX, sulphasalazine, naproxen etc I have put on

1 stone on since March. Its seams to be going on a 1 or 2 a week. I do find I eat for energy, and I have mentioned it to the doc and consultant. Rhuemy say its nothing to do with there drugs and my doctor mentions it may be the side effect of fluctuations in blood sugar levels, so just to eat healthy as you can. I am finding it very hard to shift any of it tho. Good luck X

[julieporter]

I'm on steroids at the moment and i'm always hungry

Maybe we put on weight as we're not as active as we used to be ?

Julie

[Mel_]

Sorry no tips or helpful ways to get rid of the extra weight. I look like I'm six months pregnant at the moment. Any weight (an extra 1 stone) has gone straight onto my middle! All since I went on Mtx. Kenalog can contribute to ones weight too. I can't do sit ups any more (Ra in spine with some lovely nodules too) and franckly everywere else hurts. I have just purchased a slendertone belt (there was some discussion on here a month or so ago) I spoke to my consultant who said it was fine to use one and that hospitals actually use them to help with rehabilitation, so certainly no problems medically to use one. I've got it but just not got around to using it yet! I know this will not make the weight disappear but it may help tone me up.

And do you know what I bet your clothes look great on you, it's maybe just that as you feel so rubbish you think you look like it too; but as my husband keeps telling me that's not the case at all. So walk in to that clothes shop with pride, some new clothes do wonders for ones confidence!

Regards Mel

[denvajade]

hi there I too have put on about 22lbs since being on methotrexate and no matter what I do I cant lose it, just doing a treatment for candida as I was told by a doctor m can cause this then it creates weight gain????????? will see what happens.cheers trish