After I was diagnosed I gained about 35 pounds. To a young college student, gaining weight is the worst! I know I gained the weight from steroids and from not wanting to get off the couch because I was in so much pain. Before RA I was active and worked out on a regular basis and it was put to a stop from the pain. I have adjusted to the meds and have begun to get back to the gym. Did anyone else gain weight post diagnosis?
Hi! Elissa
i can understand the mental trauma that u must subjected to especially at the age of 22...but thanks to this website which allow us to vent our feelings.. As for me it is more depressing as doctors have diaganosed " May evolve into RA" but they have no medicines to prevent it..See how helpless humans and Science is...
would like to know on what basis did the doctors diaganose RA in your case as i tested RF/ANA/Anti CCP +ve still the doctor has clinically dismissed RA as of now
hope to hear from u soon
Regards
Basit
You're right - your weight gain as a combination of not being able to move because of the pain and from the steroid medication. Are you only on prednisone now? You may want to talk to your doctor about using one of the DMARDs (disease modifying antirheumatic drug), which will suppress your disease and enable you to get back to moving.
Yes, I also gain weight while taking Hurmira. At first I thought it was because I was not as active, but then when I increased my activity the weight kept going on and I haven't been able to lose it.
Suzanne
Omg..I thought it was just me. I gained wt. after diagnosis of RA. I'm on low dose prednisone, mtx and Humira 40mgs. injections weekly. I feel like a horse...LOL. I just went through a 20 day semi- fast of tomatoe soup, broth and jello and only lossed 6lbs. This is ridiculous! I started walking 3.0 miles/3 days a week and the scales haven't moved. They are weight watcher scales too. Now, I'm feeling trapped and disgusted. I'm 5ft 1 in and weigh 170 lbs. HElp
Lois B.
I also gained a lot of weight after I was diagnosed with RA. For me, I think it was a combination of the medication, the lack of activity because I was feeling like I'd been hit by a bus, what I call "sympothy eatting", or rewarding myself with goodies because I was feeling rotten, to make myself feel better and from depression from the whole RA diagnosis itself. It is not an easy thing to come to terms with. The whole thing is still tough to accept at times. I think that over time, we become OK with the diagnosis and then either chose to accept our fate as it is dealt, or to rise up and make "what we want our lives to be", happen. I think that we can greatly affect how our RA treats us, and to be honest,...I want to run this show,...not my RA.
As far as the weight,I'm currently keeping a food journal to just keep track of what I'm eatting throughout the day and keep a running calorie count. It seems to help me be more aware of what I'm shoveling in. LOL
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I did. I stayed on steroids for about 2 years. I gained a lot of weight. I am off the steroids and taking methotrexate and remicade. I do feel better. I started a diet yesterday. Nutrisystem helped me to shed pounds about 10 years ago so I am sure it will help me again. I have about 90 lbs to get rid of. Wish me luck. You are young and getting rid of your extra weight will come easier for you. Hope you feel better and just know you are not alone!
Thank you for the support and good luck!