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...
I have lost over 15 lb since my diagnosis in October. I am down to 125# and I'm 5'6" tall. My size 4 pants are too big and I don't know what to do. This may sound insignificant to some, but it is a big deal for me because I no longer like how I look and I'm pretty sure it's not terribly healthy for me to be this thin.
Since my diagnosis I completely changed me eating habits. I am now sugar free (I have even cut out processed foods with added sugars which is most processed foods). I don't eat anything with artificial sweeteners either. I am completely dairy free and casien free (milk DOES NOT do a body good) and have given up all coffee and soft drinks. I drink herbal teas, water and flax or almond milk. I rarely eat red meat and I am cutting most of the gluten out of my diet to address "leaky gut syndrome" that sometimes exacerbates RA. Wheat seems to trigger RA so I am careful about wheat products in my diet.
I eat a high protein, whole food diet but when I am under stress i have trouble eating at all. I don't know what to do, honestly. I eat as much as I can but my food choices are limited and I just don't think I'm getting enough calores.
Tonight it's fish and chicken for dinner with a sweet potato, and for dessert, gluten free toaster waffles with peanut butter and fruit spread. This is the most I have eaten at one sitting in weeks.
I don't do protein shakes because I cannot have the whey protein and soy is not great (too much estrogen in soy).
Snacks include fruits and nuts and veggies and hummus for the most part.
Does ANYONE have any helpful suggestions? I try to eat 4-6 small meals a day but some days I am happy to get two medium sized meals in me. I walk almost every day but gave up going to the gym because i expend too many calories and I'm not making them up with food intake.
Also I was told the meds I am on (Low Dose Naltrexone for RA) and Welbutrin (for anxiety) may also contribute to weight loss...oh great...
One more note. I do take alot of supplements so I know i am keeping my nutritional intake up. The supplements i am on are with the supervision of my alternative health care provider.
My RA is well controlled for the most part. My flares consist of swelling in my ring finger of my left hand and stiffness in my knees. I occassionally have some RA fatigue, so overall I believe my disease to be relatively well managed which is why I don't want to go back to dairy, sugar, gluten and caffeine.
thank you all who are traveling this frustrating journey with me.
Since my diagnosis I completely changed me eating habits. I am now sugar free (I have even cut out processed foods with added sugars which is most processed foods). I don't eat anything with artificial sweeteners either. I am completely dairy free and casien free (milk DOES NOT do a body good) and have given up all coffee and soft drinks. I drink herbal teas, water and flax or almond milk. I rarely eat red meat and I am cutting most of the gluten out of my diet to address "leaky gut syndrome" that sometimes exacerbates RA. Wheat seems to trigger RA so I am careful about wheat products in my diet.
I eat a high protein, whole food diet but when I am under stress i have trouble eating at all. I don't know what to do, honestly. I eat as much as I can but my food choices are limited and I just don't think I'm getting enough calores.
Tonight it's fish and chicken for dinner with a sweet potato, and for dessert, gluten free toaster waffles with peanut butter and fruit spread. This is the most I have eaten at one sitting in weeks.
I don't do protein shakes because I cannot have the whey protein and soy is not great (too much estrogen in soy).
Snacks include fruits and nuts and veggies and hummus for the most part.
Does ANYONE have any helpful suggestions? I try to eat 4-6 small meals a day but some days I am happy to get two medium sized meals in me. I walk almost every day but gave up going to the gym because i expend too many calories and I'm not making them up with food intake.
Also I was told the meds I am on (Low Dose Naltrexone for RA) and Welbutrin (for anxiety) may also contribute to weight loss...oh great...
One more note. I do take alot of supplements so I know i am keeping my nutritional intake up. The supplements i am on are with the supervision of my alternative health care provider.
My RA is well controlled for the most part. My flares consist of swelling in my ring finger of my left hand and stiffness in my knees. I occassionally have some RA fatigue, so overall I believe my disease to be relatively well managed which is why I don't want to go back to dairy, sugar, gluten and caffeine.
thank you all who are traveling this frustrating journey with me.
At the beginning of RA, there is a weight loss. I wish you could add other stuff. I remember my daughter went vegan for a while, they have vegan foods like muffins, cookies, and so many frozen yummies, you can add to your diet. You should add soy oor almond milk, and eat cereals, here is a list you can eat.
http://www.vegproductsguide.com/vegan/products/cereal-breakfast/
Add some bananas, and they have a vegan yogurt call nogurt.
Google and find some foods that will give you a little plump! They even have vegan chips!
Lin
Btw she gave it up after a month, she was always in a bad mood lol
I wish I could transfer some of my fat to you, I have enough to feed Africa!
I was training for the Breast Cancer three day and attributed my second symptom (horrible foot pain) to overuse injury . . .
Had a full endocrine work up in 2010. Everything was fine, but the endocrinologist did a full battery of tests because of my family history (type I diabetes, Graves' disease etc)
I now weigh 100 lbs more than I did in Jan 2006. I hate it. In March 2006, I joined WW and took off 80 lbs in 9 months. . . . kept it off for two years . . .
I am about to do some major dietary changes because I cannot handle being this size. I know it isn't healthy for anyone, especially with the amount of joint damage I have.
In 2002, I weighed 214, wore a size 14 and had 18% body fat. I know I will never get back to being that fit, but I want to do what I can to make my body healthier.
I would not eat my flex points worth for the week. Any points I earned through exercise were not consumed either . . .
Has anyone else had this?
So, have some eggs and cook them in olive oil. Have some garlic and oil sauce on your meats.
Sautee your vegetables in a little more oil than usual. Get almonds and other nuts for snacking and force a few in here and there.
You can also just add a "boost" or "ensure" to your diet. I agree that milk isn't needed, but cheese, yogurt, and things like mousse, pudding, and ice cream can be a great source of fat and calcium.Honey is an excellent sweetener for most things and has needed calories.
I do not find wheat to be a trigger for my RA. Does it trigger flares in you or are you just staying away in general?
You might consider tracking your calories with something like "myfitnesspal" so that you know caloric intake AND what percentage of protein, fat, etc. you are getting to know where you need to add.
I like the thought of adding more good fats to my diet. I do eat nuts, and sometimes too many that I get a tummy ache too. I find that soups and salads are really my "go to" foods now. I will also try the nogurt but I remember trying one that tasted TERRIBLE. They are so expensive I hate to waste money on something I won't eat. Thanks again for the suggestions and links. I will check them out later when I get home.
Have a great Sunday everyone!