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 am so freaked out.
I had gastric bypass 6 years ago and went from 268 to 150. I stayed at 150 for a couple of years....I got to 145 for a second! Then I had the common "bounce-back" weight gain where my body adjusted to a comfortable 160. I went from size 10 to a 12...yeah, that freaked me out. Then I started to gain and got to 170 about 2 years ago and would fluctuate between 165-170 for 2 years.
I believe the RA symptoms started in January 2015 but I didn't realize it was RA yet. In August I did the RF test and it was positive. After almost a 2 1/2 month wait to even see a rheumatologist I started treatment November 10, 2015. Before that I was on Vyvanse (amphetamine) for ADHD and only lost less than 4 lbs. I could eat. I got hungry.
Here I am today and I stepped on the scale (as I do everyday) and I am down to 145. The last couple of months I been dropping weight like crazy. There are some days I forget to eat and eat late lunches but I still eat dinner. We even go out to restaurants and husband and I split meals. I've had the occasional fast food when on the go but for the most part I make meals at home. Okay, I make dinner at home. I do a lot of frozen breakfast and lunches due to working.
IS THIS NORMAL?
I have a regular doctor appointment next month with my PCP. A new doctor. I haven't had a bariatric panel in over a year and lately my stools are kind of "oily" looking and sometimes thin. It seems to go with the MTX day or two after so I start having all these crazy thoughts.
I had a colonoscopy at 40 but what was found was a hemorrhoid and I'd have to find my old records but I think a polyp. I can't remember but I do remember they got whatever it was off. I don't feel sick....other than the typically RA crap.
Anyone else lose weight with RA and this fast?
I had gastric bypass 6 years ago and went from 268 to 150. I stayed at 150 for a couple of years....I got to 145 for a second! Then I had the common "bounce-back" weight gain where my body adjusted to a comfortable 160. I went from size 10 to a 12...yeah, that freaked me out. Then I started to gain and got to 170 about 2 years ago and would fluctuate between 165-170 for 2 years.
I believe the RA symptoms started in January 2015 but I didn't realize it was RA yet. In August I did the RF test and it was positive. After almost a 2 1/2 month wait to even see a rheumatologist I started treatment November 10, 2015. Before that I was on Vyvanse (amphetamine) for ADHD and only lost less than 4 lbs. I could eat. I got hungry.
Here I am today and I stepped on the scale (as I do everyday) and I am down to 145. The last couple of months I been dropping weight like crazy. There are some days I forget to eat and eat late lunches but I still eat dinner. We even go out to restaurants and husband and I split meals. I've had the occasional fast food when on the go but for the most part I make meals at home. Okay, I make dinner at home. I do a lot of frozen breakfast and lunches due to working.
IS THIS NORMAL?
I have a regular doctor appointment next month with my PCP. A new doctor. I haven't had a bariatric panel in over a year and lately my stools are kind of "oily" looking and sometimes thin. It seems to go with the MTX day or two after so I start having all these crazy thoughts.
I had a colonoscopy at 40 but what was found was a hemorrhoid and I'd have to find my old records but I think a polyp. I can't remember but I do remember they got whatever it was off. I don't feel sick....other than the typically RA crap.
Anyone else lose weight with RA and this fast?
I'm new here, and first went to the Rheumatologist in December. I had a long wait, too. It was almost three months between my PCP finding out my Rheumatoid Factor was positive, and getting in to see the Rheumatologist. In that time, I lost about 15 pounds without trying. I had very little appetite. Chocolate (usually my weakness) was about as appealing as plastic to me. I've read this is a common symptom of RA, at least at the beginning of the disease.
I'm not familiar with the side effects of Methotrexate, but I would definitely contact your Rheumatologist with your concerns. He may want you to bring it up with your PCP, as well. I would probably check with both. It wouldn't hurt to be on the safe side.
Plus I feel worsening things happening. More soreness and swelling now. I'm on 7 MTX a week. I am starting to hurt a lot more.
Autoimmune disease often likes to run in pairs. Your thyroid can be giving you trouble, so getting it checked will be very important. Hyperthyroidism and RA can go hand in hand.
Best wishes
do your meds get metabolized the same way? do the RA and bariatric folks ever talk? I guess no more right?
depot
But I would speculate that the drugs are helping with your pain and most of us eat when in pain so controlled pain can lead to.....weight loss!
I am on pain meds for my broken neck. Last May, I had a reaction to my meds and had to go pain med free for about 7 months....gained 25 pounds. Started a new type of pain med in December and I'm already down about 8 pounds. No need to stress nibble.
So maybe it's just luck!
hugs............Jen