weight loss

[watoozie]

Has anyone had trouble with unexpected weight loss?  I've been diagnosed over three hears now with Sjogrens and Lupus.  Am on 400mg Plaquenil, tramadol as needed and nightly Restaril.  Was on Prednisone for three months this summer for a flare.  Over the past 6 or 8 months I have lost nearly 35 pounds.  I am too old to lose too much weight - look like one of those wrinkled up dogs!!!  I haven't changed my eating habits, am a junk food junky, my doctor doesn't say much about it.  Just worried me to be losing for no reason.  Wondered if it is just a part of all this or not.  Thanks.

[Pooh]

Hi there,
If this weight loss is giving you concern then by all means talk to your about it.  Let him/her know that you are worried it is not right.  I'm no doctor but it seems you should be tested for thyroid and diabetes and possibly more.  Weight loss without trying is something a lot of us would like to have, but it can be serious and should be investigated. 

Please let us know how you make out with this.

Pooh

[genko_b]

This is a problem for me as well, not so much losing weight, but being unable to gain no matter how much I eat. I add oils to everything to increase the calories but still keep the same weight. Even being on prednisone for months has not added any weight, and the docs are always telling me to keep eating. This is actually a drag because I had always enjoyed food and oftentimes find it a chore to eat now because I "have" to.

People are so fickle - I'm sure if the docs told me tomorrow to cut back on how much I eat, I'd get my appetite back!

For me the problem is probably mostly related to the colitis, which has been flaring for a while now - food goes through me virtually undigested. But it can be caused by a number of things and is definitely worth exploring with the doctor. It certainly aggravates the fatigue, I'm sure.

Genko

[JannaLee]

Watoozie,

Your kind of weight loss is a symptom of Lymphoma.  The only reason I remember this is because I figure I will NEVER get that symptom.

I think you must get this investigated.

Janna

[watoozie]

Thanks everyone, I have mentioned it to my doc and rheumy, my rheumy never lets me finish a sentence and doesn't hear a word I do get out.  My regular doctor did check my thyroid (normal) and I am taking B12 shots (low).  Diabetis does run in my family and I had gestational sugar but so far, my sugar is normal.  I will mention lymphoma next Tuesday when I go for my next B12 shot.  Sure hope it's not that!!  I think I remember reading that there is a small percent chance of getting lymphoma if you have Sjogrens.  I felt so good for two years and this last year and a half I have felt so bad, I am hoping the B12 works wonders.

[susanep]

Watoozie, My mom was like you about the weight loss for the past year, but now she is better, and putting on some weight. She doesnt have diagnosed sjogrens, but it doesnt mean she doesnt have it. She tested positive twice years ago for lupus and never followed up. She wears a pace maker now, and has peripheral neuropathy, but I had never seen her get so small before. I was worried about her, until they changed some of her medicine and then it seemed like she started getting where she ate more. She had even stopped drinking coffee, and had drank it all her life. Now, she said she has a taste for it again.

Follow up with your doctor, but maybe it could be a med or something. I will pray it turns out fine.

susanep