I have lost 15 pounds because I just do not feel well.
I am up to 45 lbs lost. This can also be a symptom of your disease. I know part of it is because of the fact that I don't feel well. The other reason is that I sometimes simply forget. It's important that you eat healthy so that your body has the strength to heal.
Maybe start a diary so that you can see that you are eating enough calories for your body.
Stay healthy!
DeAnne
Thanks Deanne
I have! I wasn't diagnosed with Lupus but my DR is treating me for it now. I have had many of the symptoms for 21 yrs now. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome back then. I had no appetite and had digestive problems. This is very common in Chronic Fatigue patients, in fact a lot of the Lupus symptoms parallel CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome). I have gained it back over the last 6 years. My health has improved some so I guess that's why. I was also on a few quick rounds of prednisone over the last few years, which has helped my inflammation. Maybe it's inflammation in our intestines that slow things down and make us loose our appetite. How this helps!
Be well, Alley
I will sometimes lose weight during flares because I'm too tired to get up and fix something to eat. But, with all the meds I'm taking now, I have to be careful not to gain weight!
I lost 30 lbs in about two mnths
I wish! I've gained lots!!
Yes, during my last big flare up I lost 30 lbs and have never gained them back, despite being on prednisone. I can always tell when the lupus is starting up because I lose my appetite. Please take care!
Yes, I’ve lost weight. I actually found out I have Gastroparesis from Sojgrens. I also have SLE and Connective Tissue Disease.
I wish everyone well on here!
Callie, hope you are feeling more up to snuff soon.
I'm a yoyo weight wise. Age 4 had my first blood sugar check, because overnight went from normal weight to very heavy. When on the birth control pill when first married, lost 25 pounds? very odd. Now dropping, I think because of recent illness and flare. Down 50 pounds last weigh in.
Try to keep good snakcs on hand, quick grabs like fruit and a container of yogurt, preprepped veggies(cook them ahead if you can't do raw). etc. A cup of warm tea with some honey will often kick start my appetite. Even a few crackers with good soup. I have also found grazing, 4 or 5 small meals a day work well.
Yes that is a tell tale sign you are flaring especially when you are fatigued. You may need to call your Rheumy if it doesn’t improve.
Unfortunately for me that is the ONLY symptom I don’t have!!! Arrgh! I do the opposite because with every flare comes more steroids and I just gain weight. It really sucks.
I hope you feel better soon. Try to get as much rest as you can so it ends quicker.
Hugs-Tina
any time you lose large amount of weight is reason enough to go see your doctor and have it checked out. Average weight loss that is healthy and if one is trying is 2 lbs per week.
When we do not feel well and / or not drinking enough fluids or feel nauseous of course we don't eat like we should or drink as much. Not eating very much is okay for a week or two but it is very important that no matter how sick you feel one keeps drinking.
If your urine is dark you are dehydrated and need fluids NOW. Your urine should be light clear yellow and you should be going to the bathroom during day, am and evenings. If you stop completely urinating even for one day, call your doctor. Keep Gatorade or Pedialyte on hand at home ( Kaiser handbook has mix in it so you can make your own sports drinks) because they add electrolytes that are so important. If you do become dehydrated and electrolytes are off you can look like you are having light seizure, act confused and other not normal actions. I did this once on a hike that we thought had water since on map showed us the trail followed a stream...well we did but it was way down in canyon. By the time we did reach water, i was vomiting and hallucinations. Within a half hour of drinking, I did come around.
My younger sister who was a marathon runner actually had to be taken to the hospital because she was not use to the Valley heat here in Calif. She lived on the coast and did not drink often enough as she should have and she is very aware that drinking is important. My point is it can happen to any of us.
If you do not defecate for a day it is not cause for worry but keep note. 3 or more days is time to start being concern. Healthy people should go daily so if you do not, time to bump up fiber or take stool softener with light laxative. Try not to get hooked on laxatives. Just like other drugs, your body can become dependent on them so instead eat fruit and vegetables, fresh and organic.
Also if you should go often and feels weird or like you are not totally emptying your bladder that also can be sign of bladder infection or irritation. Bladder infections can back up quickly into your kidneys especially if you are prone to them. You can buy otc a pill that stops the irritation feeling but if you begin to run a fever no matter how low go immediately to the doctor.
If you have diarrhea it is best to take Imodium and try to stop it. I use to think it was best to let the bad stuff out but dehydrates you so it is not good. If you do take something like Imodium just remember that it can keep you from going regularly for a day or two and that is normal.
Sorry if i sound graphic but I know that many new people do not know all this stuff especially if they have not been sick most of their life.
All the above can affect your weight both losing and putting few lbs on. So if you lose more than few lbs or put on more than few and keeps happening weekly then go see your doctor or call, email them just to stay on top of it all.
I should add that certain pills can put on the lbs either by increasing your appetite or just hanging on longer to food you do it and also can make you lose weight so check side effects if you are gaining or losing weight.
I recently lost over 15 lbs in just a week time, but i also know why....i was thrown into withdrawal from my pain meds plus lupus and others kicked in so now month later and i am finally beginning to feel just bit better where not so sick and totally exhausted.
Keeping diary(as already pointed out) really is the best way to stay on track of it if it is problem both to gain and lose weight. Also makes you eat healthier and leave out snacks that are not healthy. Junk food really does make one feel more fatigue and just not as well. If you keep a diary you'll find this out. Good luck and hope you got your answer(s).
Weight loss was one of my first symptoms, along with unexplained rashes and frequent low-grade fevers and joint pain.. At first, I lost about 12 pounds for no apparent reason (nothing changed in my diet or exercise ). My Primary Care doctor ran ANA, Rheumatoid, CRP and Sed Rate tests but didn't explain too much ( I think he didn't want to alarm me until results came back ). All tests came back positive and/or "outside limits". He then referred me to a Rhematologist who did a lot more tests along with thorough exams and diagnosed me with Lupus. I am very lucky that I had a primary care doctor who picked up on my symptoms. Shortly after being diagnosed, I started having severe vomiting every time I ate..after many, many visits to the Gastroenterologist and numerous tests he finally determined my Gallbladder was not functioning ( was only working at 13% capacity)..needless to say, I lost a lot of weight. Had my Gallbladder removed and started feeling better, but have since had many digestive/gastro problems..ulcers, severe Acid Reflux, etc.. I believe this is how the Lupus has "attacked" my body. I also have joint pain, fatique, rashes, fever, sleep problems, migranes, etc. I have since gained all weight back, most likely due to Prednisone and Cymbalta as well as very low activity. I am now struggling with losing weight.
I went through the exact same thing two years ago. I lost about 15 pounds and wasn't sure why???? Then after several appts and the Lupus diagnosis the doctors felt like that was the reason. However, I have gained the 15 pounds back and I am very happy about that. I feel really healthy now because when I lost the weight I felt very sick and weak. Hope things get better for you. "STAY STRONG"
I initially gained about 30 lbs which I blame on prednisone, but have recently started shedding weight like crazy. I don’t know if it’s because the cellcept is taking away my appetite, if the mouth sores make it tough to eat, or if its just plain ol lupus? I’m just thrilled the steroid weight is coming off. In another 10 lbs ill be worried though
Lost 30 lbs. so far, and still losing. Must be on a veggie diet now because of my liver damage. Some days I have no appetite, some days I vomit everything I eat. Meanwhile, I try my best to not lose too much weight. Oh, no sugar for me, either. Prednisone has made me diabetic.
Latina said:
Lost 30 lbs. so far, and still losing. Must be on a veggie diet now because of my liver damage. Some days I have no appetite, some days I vomit everything I eat. Meanwhile, I try my best to not lose too much weight. Oh, no sugar for me, either. Prednisone has made me diabetic.
I am so glad some one brought this up!!!!!! I am 5 foot 8 and I weigh 128 pounds! It is a struggle for me to put on 2 or 3 pounds and almost as soon as I put them on I loose them. I look like a twizzle stick! I hope you feel better soon and maybe when you are feeling better you can woof down a double cheese burger{I know not too healthy!} but what the hell it's not like you are eating them every day!
Piewacket
Yes, I found some delicious veggie burgers! I eat them all the time! I was like you until I turned 40 when I gained weight by just breathing! The only way I could reach 100 lbs. when young was being 6 months pregnant! To keep my weight I had to eat every 15 to 30 minutes, and my meals were as big as a construction worker's. Good old times!
I definitely have this problem. I am 5’5 and used to weigh 120- on the small side anyway- got sick and now weigh 95! I can not put the weight back on even on prednisone. Doctors thought I was malnourished and not eating, so they ran a prealbumin… It was high!!! HMMMM… Told them I had at least doubled my caloric intake, but no one wanted to believe me!!i look like death- black sunken eyes included. I eat 3 x my normal portions even when I am not hungry, because I look balemic. Nothing works. I feel your pain. I’m sorry you are coping with this side effect because it can be very nerve racking. Please KUP as to your progress. I am sending warm skinny hugs your way 