Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi Sara. My name is Cissy. I was diagnosed with RA at the end of 2013. I started with methotrexate and prednisone and gained 15 lbs in one month. You are not kidding when you say losing weight on that is ridiculously difficult. After that, I literally cried and begged my doctor in his office to get me off that stuff. He agreed but it still took over a month to get weaned from it. I was taking methotrexate, sulfasalazine, folic acid, and meloxicam. My RA has worsened and I am now taking weekly Enbrel shots, methotrexate, and folic acid. It has helped but I have one hand with still some issues. Today I recommitted myself to weight loss. I feel like I'm gaining every day regardless of what I do. Walking is about the only exercise that I can do that doesn't cause any pain. I will be getting up early in the mornings to get the walk in and getting back on my 1200 calorie regime. I am trying to focus on just eating healthier, I've been on some bad choices. I also enjoy alcohol and that is definitely going to be a change for me. My doctor is saying I shouldn't have more than 1 drink a week. Not that I drink alot but, I usually have more than one a week . Anyway, good luck to us both, I'd like to lose at least 50 lbs and it all starts with one!

Hi there I don't have RA but I do have an autoimmune disease (ITP) that meant that I was on very very high doses of prednisone. 95mg, for several months. The thing is that it's not the prednisone itself that stops you losing weight. It's the fact that it makes you so hungry! I only came off the prednisone in early February but I lost most of the 66lbs I've lost whilst still on prednisone. I came off prednisone because rituximab seems to have cured me. It's also used for RA.
Personally, changing my diet didn't help with either of my autoimmune diseases (I have alopecia too).

Not sure where to start except to say there is always hope! I have never been the slimmest girl around.

Beginning early February 2014, I weighed about 135# and for a 5 foot flat female that's considered just a bit overweight. This is where the struggle began. while working an average of 60+hours aweek, my joints began to hurt,every single joint in my body! By the time I was referred to a rheumatologist (months later) I could barely walk from my car to the front door. After several tests I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called ankylosing spondylitis, 8
Months of high dose prednisone,pushing myself too hard and eating everything I could shove in my mouth I weighed 156# Than finally my insurance approved humira and some other inflammatory meds. I knew I had to change for my family and myself! I stopped working (amazing hubby) and started watching what I ate on December 7, 2014. I have logged every single day, thousand "mean people's comments " and started walking. I am up to 4 miles 5 times aweek. I have bad days where I physically hurt but that doesn't mean I am going to go back to my old eating habits. I'm at goal weight after losing 45#:)

Success can come even if you think it's hopeless. Just eat at the right deficit, educate yourself and most of all believe in yourself!!! Good luck everyone!

I have had the form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis for 40 years. After a lot of Rx Meds induced health problems I was told about Enbrel injections a little over a year ago. Because of the cancer, etc risks I decided it was time to try to manage my pain by diet.

I got into coconut oil and finally cut all carbs to <50 grams daily by cutting out sugars and all types of grains cold turkey. 30 days later my pain was well managed and still is a year later. In six month 40 years of IBS was cured and still is. Pain management/total health is my main goal but have lost 30 pounds this last year eating 2600 calories daily.

While I understand most will not give up carbs because the first two weeks was hellish the cravings then just faded away and have not returned. Yes I live in a house and office swimming in carbs but that is a NON issue now.

Where this will work for you @saralayne42 I do not know but is my results of living in nutritional ketosis for one year. Best wishes at learning how to sidestep Rx Med damages. For the prior 10 years I just used a ton of fish oil and added Krill oil yesterday. I had both hips replaced 1 Aug 1991.