Pain and weight issues
RA...along with a lot of other health issues, causes a lot of pain. With that pain, which I can tolerate a lot of pain. But when it gets so bad I can't function and the pain goes into my gut...it's bad! The pain causes extreme nausea and vomiting which I can't eat or drink anything without everything coming out. I used to be obsese due to steroids but got off them and it took three years to loose 90lbs. Now my metabolism has changed and I loose weight too easily. My problem is staying above 100 pounds. I can't even vacuum my floors without loosing 5 to 8 pounds. Has anyone gone thru this? I'm grateful that I'm at least getting a little help with the pain but it's a little help...doesn't take enough of the pain away but it certainly better than nothing at all.
Hi,
!
First off, I am so sorry you deal with excruciating pain that impacts your digestive health. And while it's much more common for people to deal with unwanted weight gain, we do have a few community members that, like you, have struggled with unintended weight loss. Here's a conversation from our forums on this topic -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/forums/weight-loss-and-ra; Has your doctor talked to you about ways to manage your weight loss? You may need to consider supplemental nutrition (like protein shakes and the like), but you would want to talk with your doctor or a registered dietician before trying to gain weight on your own. And I hope your doctor was able to rule out possible underlying conditions that may be contributing to your weight loss.
Hang in there and please know you are not alone in this!
Best, Erin, Team Member.Thank you...But no doctor has spoke to me about except for one and he told me to do drive bys... another words eat what you can all day...and some days are great while others, not so good. It was a drastic change going from 205 lbs to 160 then got sick n don't know what affected me but I dropped from 160 to 89 lbs in less then 10 days...that was 12 years ago...been fighting to keep weight on since. But as if this was encouraging, since I lost 3 inches I'm just fine at 100 lbs so my Drs nurse tells me. I feel my best even as a shorter person at 120... I don't look fat or obese( by the way I hate that word) been told I looked great at that weight but I can keep it on unless I stay down...I mean I only get up to go to the bathroom...no housework, no gardening or hikes. My late husband n me tried that n it worked but isn't who I am to sit still. Even in excruciating pain I still have to do something... 😆
But I take my vitamins, I eat high protein meals because I crave it and exercise...I still lift weights at 70...I hike as much as I can as long as my body allows it...I'm just a fighter who refuses to give up or stop or even slow down... although my body is doing its best to try to slow me down...
I've managed this the best I can so far...but I'm no where close to backing down...I will win this fight... 😆 Or at least I'll keep trying.
Enjoy your days as best you can..., it sounds like you are doing all you can to stay healthy and to maintain your weight. I wish I had some amazing answer for you and a fool proof tip to try, but I don't.
Like you said, keep fighting, don't back down, and enjoy your days!
Best, Erin, Team Member.
Thanks Erin...
That would be nice to have full proof answers...or better yet a full proof cure of this crap... 😆 I'm at that point in my life that I just want the best life I can live while I'm alive for however many years I might have...and will do pretty much whatever, within reasoning, to give myself that...I'm tired of lack of compassion from most Drs, lack of their abilities to even help due to federal regulations...and being accused of being things I'm not...at my age, I don't think I really care... I'd just rather have a good quality of life in my later years.
Take care... 🤗, I wholeheartedly agree! The best thing would be a full cure for RA. But, short of that, it would be nice to have reliable, effective, affordable healthcare and medical professionals that take the time to listen to their patients.
And you should be able to have a good quality of life! I don't think that's asking too much.
Best, Erin, Team Member.
Hi
. You certainly have been through a lot. I noticed you mentioned only going to the bathroom? Have there been gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea? I ask because there are gastrointestinal autoimmune conditions, such as IBD that can cause rapid weight loss and autoimmune conditions love to collect new ones. I don't know if this matches any of your symptoms (and only a doctor can provide diagnostics), but wanted to provide the information. Best, Richard (Team Member) Hey Richard,
Right now I'm dealing with my kidneys failing...told it's not at a critical point yet but my kidneys are an issue. Sadly with Lupus n Sjogrens along with RA, Raynaud's syndrome, Fibromyalgia, IBD oh and a rare Blood Cancer/ Blood Disorder..I'm a mess, but you couldn't tell unless you lived with me. My partner is appalled at the kind of care I was getting. So much so he's insistant on going to appointments with me...all of them, advocating for me for quality of my life. Being told Lupus n the cancer is progressing isn't what one wants to hear. But as my guy said, quality of your life is more important if they can't fix it or control it. I'm in agreement...and I'm just grateful that this is happening in my later years not while I was younger. And I'm 70 but could easily pass for 45...I still lift weights n hike n expertise daily as long as my body allows me to. I was a body builder in my 30's...keeps my muscle stronger in my later years.
I just live n enjoy each day I have as if tomorrow won't come...it works for me.
Oh my
, you really are dealing with a lot between the various autoimmune conditions, blood cancer, and kidneys! My heart goes out to you and all that your are currently managing, and with the news that your lupus and cancer is progressing. (I'm not sure if you're aware, but we do have a sister-community for blood cancer, https://blood-cancer.com/, in case you're interested.)
How wonderful that you have such a strong and supportive partner to help you advocate for yourself and your appointments. It can really make a difference to have someone else there to listen to the information and push for quality of life.
It sounds like you really work hard to continue to keep yourself strong and it sounds like it's really been helpful for you, living and enjoying each day as if tomorrow isn't a guarantee.
We appreciate you being a part of our community, and letting us know how you're doing. Please know that we are here for you! Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
