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WEIGHT GAIN AND RA
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sickandtiredofbeingsick posted:
HAS ANY ONE EXPERIENCED A GREAT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT GAIN WITH RA AND TAKING METHOTREXATE?


I HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE, AND I AM GOING TO TELL YOU IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT IS GOING OUT OF WHACK AND WHAT TO ADDRESS. IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY OR SOMETHING I CAN HANDLE ON MY OWN.

I AM RETAINING LOTS OF WATER AND LOOK 5 MONTHS PREGNANT. I WENT FROM A SIZE 8 TO A 14 IN 6 MONTHS AFTER I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH RA.

I AM NOW SEEING MY CARDIOLOGIST, BECAUSE MY ENDO AND RHEUMY DID NOTHING WHEN I KEPT ASKING THEM WHY I WAS GAINING SO MUCH WEIGHT. HE PUT ME ON LASIX AND WE SEE IN A WEEK WHAT THE RESULTS ARE. THEN MORE TESTING. COULD RA HAVE AFFECTED MY HEART SO EARLY IN THE DIAGNOSIS? CAN THE METHO. CAUSE SUCH WEIGHT GAIN OR WATER WEIGHT GAIN?

I AM STUMPED AND I FEAR SO WILL THE DOCTORS BE.

SUZ...
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4 Replies |Report This| Share this:WEIGHT GAIN AND RAHAS ANY ONE EXPERIENCED A GREAT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT GAIN WITH RA AND TAKING METHOTREXATE?<br /><br /><br />I HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE, AND I AM GOING TO TELL YOU IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT IS GOING OUT OF WHACK AND WHAT TO ADDRESS. IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY OR SOMETHING I CAN HANDLE ON MY OWN.<br /><br />I AM RETAINING LOTS OF WATER AND LOOK 5 MONTHS PREGNANT. I WENT FROM A SIZE 8 TO A 14 IN 6 MONTHS AFTER I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH RA.<br /><br />I AM NOW SEEING MY CARDIOLOGIST, BECAUSE MY ENDO AND RHEUMY DID NOTHING WHEN I KEPT ASKING THEM WHY I WAS GAINING SO MUCH WEIGHT. HE PUT ME ON LASIX AND WE SEE IN A WEEK WHAT THE RESULTS ARE. THEN MORE TESTING. COULD RA HAVE AFFECTED MY HEART SO EARLY IN THE DIAGNOSIS? CAN THE METHO. CAUSE SUCH WEIGHT GAIN OR WATER WEIGHT GAIN?<br /><br />I AM STUMPED AND I FEAR SO WILL THE DOCTORS BE.<br /><br />SUZ...
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comforted responded:
I never, ever connected these together to equal weight gain! Since 2003 I have been on these 2 meds. and have gained so much weight! My pain management dr. advised me to get my thyroids checked and by the time I did, the left one and the isthmus had to be removed. There is a connection between RA and Thyroids. Have you had your thyroids checked. I lost 75 lbs. after surgery. I continued on the 2 meds. and quickly picked up the 75 lbs. in less than a yr. I eat very little because I don't have an appetite. I'm mostly bedridden because of RA. I'm glad you posted this question!
Report This| Share this:WEIGHT GAIN AND RAI never, ever connected these together to equal weight gain! Since 2003 I have been on these 2 meds. and have gained so much weight! My pain management dr. advised me to get my thyroids checked and by the time I did, the left one and the isthmus had to be removed. There is a connection between RA and Thyroids. Have you had your thyroids checked. I lost 75 lbs. after surgery. I continued on the 2 meds. and quickly picked up the 75 lbs. in less than a yr. I eat very little because I don't have an appetite. I'm mostly bedridden because of RA. I'm glad you posted this question!
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Scott Zashin, MD responded:
While methotrexate has a number of potential side effects, weight gain is not commonly seen. I tell my patients that even if a side effect of a drug is unusual, it does not mean its not related.Nonetheless, if one of my patients developed weight gain on MTX, I would look for other causes. It is possible that I would need to stop the medication to see if there was a true cause and effect
Report This| Share this:WEIGHT GAIN AND RAWhile methotrexate has a number of potential side effects, weight gain is not commonly seen. I tell my patients that even if a side effect of a drug is unusual, it does not mean its not related.Nonetheless, if one of my patients developed weight gain on MTX, I would look for other causes. It is possible that I would need to stop the medication to see if there was a true cause and effect
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mybuddyrobin responded:
I gained 40 lbs in 2 months on prenisone. I gained weight so fast that my stomach has a bunch of nasty stretch marks now

Are you taking prednisone too? for the inflamation? Steroids might be the cause. Silly nurse told me to take 20 mg for 2 months while travelling.
Report This| Share this:WEIGHT GAIN AND RAI gained 40 lbs in 2 months on prenisone. I gained weight so fast that my stomach has a bunch of nasty stretch marks now <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0"><br /><br />Are you taking prednisone too? for the inflamation? Steroids might be the cause. Silly nurse told me to take 20 mg for 2 months while travelling.
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HopeFig79 responded:
I've been slowly gaining weight over the past year,and I take 4pills on 2 diff days of methotrexate,and 9 mg of prednisine daily. I was also diagnosed about 5 years ago with under active thyroid,so that alone is a big help with the weight gain..It's alot harder to loose weight with under active thyroid,and also taking 9mg of steroids a day..The bad thing is I never have a appetite so I never really eat..So I hardly eat,chase a hyper 3 yr old on a all day every day basis,and still gain weight..I also have acid reflux,and at times swallowing is quite difficult,so it hurts to eat..My Rheumy suggested drinking Boost,or Ensure since i hardly eat,that way at least i'm getting some vitamens,and minerals..Also they are not that high on calories.Maybe you could try replacing one of your meals with a Boost. They don't taste all that bad either.Well at least the strawberry one doesn't.. I always think about working out,or bike riding, but when you have very active RA you never want to do anything..Either your to tired from the fatigue,or hands are are hurting and swollen..In my case at the moment my hands,knees,ankles,and feet are all swollen,and painful..I have more bad days than I do good days..
Report This| Share this:WEIGHT GAIN AND RAI've been slowly gaining weight over the past year,and I take 4pills on 2 diff days of methotrexate,and 9 mg of prednisine daily. I was also diagnosed about 5 years ago with under active thyroid,so that alone is a big help with the weight gain..It's alot harder to loose weight with under active thyroid,and also taking 9mg of steroids a day..The bad thing is I never have a appetite so I never really eat..So I hardly eat,chase a hyper 3 yr old on a all day every day basis,and still gain weight..I also have acid reflux,and at times swallowing is quite difficult,so it hurts to eat..My Rheumy suggested drinking Boost,or Ensure since i hardly eat,that way at least i'm getting some vitamens,and minerals..Also they are not that high on calories.Maybe you could try replacing one of your meals with a Boost. They don't taste all that bad either.Well at least the strawberry one doesn't.. I always think about working out,or bike riding, but when you have very active RA you never want to do anything..Either your to tired from the fatigue,or hands are are hurting and swollen..In my case at the moment my hands,knees,ankles,and feet are all swollen,and painful..I have more bad days than I do good days..
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