Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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debbierisner 09/29/2015

I have an appt for RA this month. I have waited 3 months and still have 3 more weeks to wait with a referral from my primary care dr. Was placed on Lodine about 9 years ago and was doing okay with a few bumps in the road until 5 months ago when everything went downhill. Was placed on Celebrex but developed intestinal cramps and had to stop taking it. I basically cannot do anything but go to work and come home. No cooking, no cleaning, no going out to eat, no going to school functions. Mornings are terrible. I am stiff and usually struggle just to get dressed and climb into my SUV. My appetite and stamina are gone. Walking to the bathroom wipes me out.

I am overweight and fear the Dr. will just tell me to lose weight I will be fine. Has anyone else had weight issues?

aggie83 09/29/2015

I gained 59 pounds on prednisone. Benn off of pred for three years, still have the 50 pounds. Thankfully the moon face went away. Part of the weight gain comes from not being able to move and exercise.

maxlexkey 09/29/2015

I take 5 mg of prednisone everyday for 6 years and have lost 50 lbs so far. More difficult because of the hunger and i also cant exercise until i get on the right meds...4 biologics, getting ready for number 5 soon. I think maybe water aerobics might be good because its low impact in warm water, best of luck.

rosetears143 09/30/2015

I'm overweight and working towards a Dx as well. My 2nd appt with the rheumatologist is on the 12th. My primary doc has been mentioning for me to lose weight, and I have been trying. I almost broke down in tears my last visit to there when the PA said soemthinga gain about me needing to lose weight. I looked at him and asked "How? Starve myself? Because that's the only thing I haven't tried yet." And he stopped.

I thankfully haven't gained any weight on prednisone, though I've only been on it for 16 days now...along with Relafen and Tramadol. I started with a taper from 40mg down and was going to stop. When I got to my two 15mg days the pain was getting so bad I called my rheumy office and begged for something. So he extended my prednisone and is keeping me on 10mg/day and added relafen, stopped Mobic. It's helping somewhat.

Fingers crossed your rheumatologist appt goes well though! A good doctor will listen. And the weight wil come fof when you can be more active without being in so much pain. Sorry you're hurting so badly

caitlinm24 09/30/2015

I gained 40 poungs on prednisone as well. I have not been able to get it off for the life of me. Primary and Rheomtologist say there isn't much they can do. I have been so uncomfortable since the prednisone, for me it did more damage than any good it may have done.

Aggie82 what are you doing to cope?

vetteme4 09/30/2015

I had been a little overweight for a few years before the pain of RA invaded my life. Now I am overweight a lot more than I was before. I am trying Weight Watchers to help me lose weight. I have lost a few pounds but it is coming off very slowly. My lung doc wants me to walk everyday while adding 10 steps more each day. I can't stand the heat here in FL this summer and then the feet hurt which in turn makes the leg and hip start hurting. Sometimes I don't know if I am going to make it back home. I sympathize with all of you that need to lose weight, such as myself, and just can't exercise to help that along. May God Bless us all and help us get thru this awful disease!

aggie83 09/30/2015

Caitlin, I decided to buy bigger clothes! II have always been a tall and muscularperson and many tell me its not noticeable. I just
Just keep on keeping on. My biologic seems to be working and my feet don't hurt so I going to get on the stationary bike next week

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