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...
Has anyone gained weight on RA meds? I am taking mtx and Stelara. I have gained eight pounds in the five months since starting Stelara. I have been tracking calorie intake and I've regained some of my lost energy so I've been walking about 12 miles a week..........this isn't making sense to me, unless the meds are involved.
As for prednisone, I think I gained at least 200 lbs while on it, then lost 150 lbs while not on it. That started with asthma, before RA, and continued even this summer. I had lost about 15 lbs from getting off 2 years on prednisone. ,When the smoke from the forest fires moved in, I woke up unable to breath one night. I had to take prednisone for 2 months, till it finally rained and the forest fire smoke wasn’t reaching us. I gained about 8 lbs back.
But, we are all different! I lost that 80 lbs by really restricting my calorie intake, and exercising daily. I got up to riding my bike 35 km outside, plus heavy weights (for me!) and stretches.
I’m trying to lose weight right now, and really struggling. I read an article about the blue rays from the sun in summer do something to help fat under the skin melt better. But, blue rays are supposed to be bad for the eyes, and are implicated in some forms of macular degeneration. Somehow, the idea of losing weight by being in the sun but protecting my eyes seems to be the goal!