Sorry, never taken Enbrel. But I have gained weight in the last year, since diagnosis. But, needless to say, my activity level has GREATLY decreased. I eat better than I have in years...and FAR less!!...and still, I have about 10 extra pounds now.

I was on Enbrel for a year and actually lost 18 pounds!!!!!! Now I'm back on Pred. and I found that 18 pounds, no problem!!!! Sorry I couldn't help you with this.

Thank you for the comments so far.

I agree with you that the activity level definitly decreases, but for 5 years I was maintaining, or losing.
Yeah...thats the thing I have read other places that Enbrel has made people lose weight.
It has been a 20 pound weight gain in 1 1/2 years, I work out 4 days a week and eat like normal. They are testing my thyroid. I will find out on Monday what that test shows. If not they will look into the whole hormone picture.

Sorry, me either. I am right where Tessie2 is. I was watching myself in the refection of the door glass this morning, and noticing how my arms and legs are still what you would see on a 170 lb man, but from my neck to my hips ................ WTF happened to me!???? Justapilgrim has some really good advice about this issue. I hope he chimes in.

OK, I'll bite...

I don't know anything about Enbrel, per se, but the harsh reality of weight gain is that it comes because there are more calories going in than coming out. It takes 3500 calories to lose one pound of weight, and if the number of calories that you eat is more than the sum of what your body burns through its normal metabolism, its excretions and what you burn through exercise, you will gain weight.

There are a couple of twists, however. Some substances (I'm thinking of prednisone, specifically) will cause an increase in appetite, and they may affect the manner and rate that calories are metabolized.

I spent a lot of time agonizing about the effects of prednisone on my weight and on my ability to lose weight and girth. In the process of researching that, I was confronted with the simple arithmetic of weight gain: a) it takes 3500 calories to lose one pound, b) 1 gram of fat = 9 calories, c) 1 gram of protein = 4 calories and d) 1 gram carbohydrate = 4 calories. That didn't answer my questions, but it did change the direction of my thinking.

I suspected that prednisone, being a corticosteroid, which mimics our bodies' production of cortisol, in stress, was causing my metabolism to change, such that it produced more fat and less muscle, and directed the fat to be deposited where I least wanted it: my belly, waist and neck and back. The rest of the story was supplied by a weight management doctor (and endocrinologist), who confirmed my basic theory. My body thought it was being starved (prednisone induced "fight or flight" response, in my case) that resulted in its retaining fat supplies (fat is gold, at 9 calories per gram), and dipping into sugar reserves, which are quickly depleted, then protein reserves, which are maintained as mucle. This resulted in skinny legs and big belly.

The doctor's solution was to eat small, balanced snacks and meals, every few hours, to make my body forget the notion that it was being starved. I was already exercising a lot, and since I wasn't burning enough calories, my solution was to reduce caloric intake. I ate something within an hour of rising and every 3 hours thereafter. I had small snacks that were balanced between protein and carbs and were low in fat, between "regular," but smaller meals that were balanced in the same manner.

This worked very well for me, and I've been satsfied with the way it explained what was going on for me. I make no claims to validity, other than the arithmetic and my results (15 pounds in 6 weeks). Good luck with your weight issues. It's a constant battle, but there is hope.

Thank you, JP! That is exactly it. YES -"skinny legs and big belly".

Thanks for the advice JP.
I, of course, am not on predisone, but have been for a brief short period of time in the past.
With these added pounds, I am still NOT overweight. But over the last year, with no reason whatsoever, have had noticable chubs pop out here and there. :-)
Had to pack away my skinner clothes for awhile.

Actually I lost weight on Enbrel, especially on Meth: in 2 month I lost 17 pd. I am not sure yet about Orencia, I just had my second infusion... I hope my weight stays the same!
The only thing I know Prednisone (as every steroid) brings my weight up, I am hungry all the time! :-)

I have been on Enbrel for many years and I don't think it has had any effect on my weight. I have gained weight over the past few years and changed clothes sizes but I think it's just that I plain 'like to eat'. lol I even like my own cooking!! Seems once I hit 60 I couldn't eat the same things I had at age 50 and get by with it.

Linda

Thanks everybody....sounds like those of you that have been prescribed Enbrel, you noticed weight loss.
Considering that my diet is better than it has ever been and I exercise regularly......
I will just wait and see what the thyroid test comes back as.
Thanks again!

I have lost some weight but I don't think it has anything to do with the enbrel. I do excercise alot and at times I think I overdo it. This leads to me being hungry after excercise and so I started to stock my fridge with fruit. Grapes are good because you don't need to cut them up. When I am really tired I don't want to have to do that. I can just pop as many as I want. This definately helps. I am constantly examining myself for signs of weight gain and have to tell myself to stop but it truly worries me.

I've been on enbrel for 4 yrs and I have noticed a weight gain about 20 pds

I lost weight on Enbrel. I had tried Humira first and it did nothing. Then Enbrel. It was a godsend my joints no longer hurt and in the morning I jumped out of bed and right down the stairs but then I started losing weight. I lost 25 lbs in 3 months. I felt great but it scared the bejesus out of me. I stopped taking it for fear it was wreaking havoc on me. I regret that everyday now as I finally figured out what it was doing was stopping the horrible manager nglamation I had and 25 lbs was how much inflamation I had. I had to leave my Rhuem. Due to insurance but found another BUT he thought I did not have anything that was that bad at age 51. Needless to say I left him and I am looking for another Rhuem. I also lost my psychiatrist now after he lost his license. I am dealing with debilitating pain and Adderall withdrawal since I have adult ADHD. I swear the American can government wants mass suicide to manage population. It is almost like a purge “let’s take away pain pills and take licenses away from doctors then the suicide rate will rise while opiate deaths keep on going. Insurance companies get rid of more patients costing them money too. All this coming from dirty politicians that have a whole separate health care policy so it doesn’t effect them at all. America is far from great again

Hi there, I was on Enbrel for about 18 months, did not notice any weight changes.

Roni