Weight Gain w/Enbrel? | Arthritis Information

 

I am 32 and have never weighed more than 117 my whole life. I am that skinny "B" that can eat ANYTHING and not gain a pound. I started taking Enbrel about 4 months ago, and over the last couple of months I noticed my pants getting tighter, now I can't even fit into most of them! I weighed about 114 before Enbrel and now I'm 123, that was a couple weeks ago, who knows what I am now, because I feel that I have gained a bit more (my pants seemed to fit better). I know my body, and this is not from eating more or exercising less, in fact I started running again since my foot was able to handle it after the Enbrel. Does anybody have any advice? I don't understand how my body can just decide to retain more weight...?   Hey Kristen, welcome.  I didn't gain because of the Enbrel when I was on it.  Are you on other drugs?  Steriods, perhaps?  Drugs effect people different ways, and I guess what I am saying is I don't know... sorry;) I know when I feel better I eat more.

I've always been on the thin side too, and I take enbrel.  I haven't had any weight gain though.  Hopefully if it is the enbrel causing it, it'll be one of those side effects that fizzle out.  Or maybe your metabolism just slowed a bit because you stopped running and it will pick back up again now that you're back at it.  I'd mention it to your doc though.thanks for the replies everyone. I'm not on any other medications and wasn't on anything before Enbrel besides Advil; I hadn't been running for a year so at first I thought it could be muscle from running, but it's NOT muscle :( I can see that for sure, a woman knows these things...I hope it doesn't continue!

Well, one thing you could try is to journal your food intake. I mean EVERYTHING you eat or drink. Including water. Do this for a couple weeks faithfully, you can figure your calorie intake and see if there is something your missing. Also, it could be water retention, maybe a fluid pill would help.

I also want to point out that 123 pounds is not heavy by any stretch of the imagination. Sometimes our body adjust to a higher weight as we get older, not that 32 is old, if it was I would be ancient..lol

Take care,

Tink

Maybe the Enbrel has been working so well that you got some appetite back?? I am on Enbrel and have not gained weight. I actually lost weight because I was able to step up my exercise routine to pre RA levels.

Perhaps you are reaching that slow down in metabolism as Linncn mentioned. Check with your doc.

I think Enbrel will be my choice to go on. I want to feel like exercising again. I truly have no desire to try right now. Does it take long to start working. I am really looking forward to my Rheumy Appointment this month.

Also, maybe you will have a sudden drop in weight as you continue to run. I know that I gain or lose weight in chunks, like 5 pounds at a time. The scale will be the same all week then bam, five pounds up or down given the circumstances.Enbrel started woking for me literally overnight.  I'd already been on mtx for several weeks though.  I went from being hardly able to walk to practically normal in 24 hours.Wow, anyone else with results like Linnen? That is amazing. I am so hopeful. I feel like I have been stuck like this forever. I pray I have a good day for my sons wedding. All our family and friends will be attending and I want to appear well and have a good time celebrating.I think Kweenb had a similar experience.  Still, I don't think it's typical.  I hope it works for you.  Will you see your RD before the wedding?  Congratulations on that, by the way :)  I haven't been around much lately so I don't know your story.  How long ago were you diagnosed?  Chatty Kathy!!! lol that is what I always call my sister. Oh no...I am turning into my sister. I feel like I drank a pot of coffee. They don't always do this to me, but it seems if i take them in the evening they wind me up! Maybe it's because I feel less pain and feel like yacking!! [QUOTE=oceanside_kristen]thanks for the replies everyone. I'm not on any other medications and wasn't on anything before Enbrel besides Advil; I hadn't been running for a year so at first I thought it could be muscle from running, but it's NOT muscle :( I can see that for sure, a woman knows these things...I hope it doesn't continue![/QUOTE]

You know, you might want to check your thyroid and your blood sugar.  Maybe that is something your doc has already done.
I was on it for a VERY short amount of time I think I took maybe 4 shots total and I gained 5 pounds. I also am a "skinny B" and have been very consistent all of my life. I know it was the enbrel. I went off of it for different reasons but I am glad I didn't have to find out how much more weight I would have gained. Hi All....

Yep I gained 40 pounds when on Enbrel but it worked...well at least my blood tests revealed that it did however, having more probs again.

Also, with the Enbrel, although it helped and I am forever thankful for that, the kicker is that I am certain it did some neural damage....as in memory, big time. My daughter is going to college now to be a medical assistant and while she is studying I was going to study with her so when she finished I could take the course. That way I could still help out and maybe work part time and still get good grades and concentrate more on the clinicals. Man oh man has it been tough studying. Maybe it is just me but let me tell ya, studying used to be fun and quite a bit easier.

The Enbrel also made me more nervous.....my breakup with Tim came right in the middle of my taking it and I often wonder if Enbrel didd't maybe contribute to it all.Plus, I had panic attacks for nearly 4 years following it but do pretty much ok now...maybe there is a correlation, maybe not, dunno.

Everyone is different. Enbrel helped me and I would take it again if I ever needed to, it was my RA miracle drug after so many other drugs tried for this dreadful disease that just keeps taking away from my life.Enbrel was my wonder drug as well.  Felt almost normal the day after first shot!  Worked wonderful for about seven years, then started tapering off.  Sharo, I use to be like you too. I was never over 120; ususally about 115. I started Humira & Lyrica in the same year....and also went into early menopause so I don't know what casued the 20lb weight gain; but it was something. Likely a combination of the three. I know lyrica and menopause can change things.....not sure about the Humira: But I suspect it. It's very simular (And Tink; I've had great results with it too)
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