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A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Salina, OK

I have a problem with continued weight loss. I have no appetite and no desire to eat. My weight has slipped to about 95#'s (which is 20#'s under and my primary is having a fit!) Has anyone else had this problem and how did you cope? My current meds are MTX injections weekly, Percocet 4x per day, Cymbalta and will switch from Butrans patch to morphine 3x's per day on Friday.

May 16, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone struggling with dangerous weight loss and appetite loss while on multiple RA medications, with many sharing... Read more

Members rallied around someone struggling with dangerous weight loss and appetite loss while on multiple RA medications, with many sharing that they faced similar challenges due to Sjögren's syndrome, medication side effects (particularly Cymbalta affecting serotonin and digestion), and the difficulty of cooking when living alone or lacking energy. Several members recommended practical solutions including lactose-free Ensure or protein shakes, high-calorie smoothies with almond milk and peanut butter, frequent grazing throughout the day instead of full meals, and exploring new recipes of favorite foods to make eating more appealing. A recurring theme was the emotional understanding of how hard it is to eat when you have no appetite or it physically hurts, balanced with gentle but firm encouragement to try nutritional supplements and keep calorie intake up to avoid the serious health risks of malnutrition.

A myRAteam Member

Susie, I don't mena to be a pet, but your question came up and in light of the problems Ive had with my teeth because of Sjogrens Syndrome, I was to the point my rheumatologist was afraid of malnutrion because I could not eat. I had to resort to making sure I drank at least bottle of Ensure of some protein beverage that was equivalent. I had to keep my calorie intake high enough, and that is really hard when you have oral iproblems and it actually hurts to eat. send you all the prayers can, because I know how it feels. Here is to a painfree peaceful night for us all.

May 16, 2016
A myRAteam Member

Hugs, Russ! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and support!

May 21, 2016
A myRAteam Member

I know that feeling, but the supplements can make a difference. I don't know of any bad effects, and some of them are actually not bad. I hope you find something that makes a difference. I'm usually on this site nightly, and if you would like to ask me anything more I'll be glad to talk. I hope things go better for you. This disease is bad enough, let alone if you add malnourishment. Take care.

May 21, 2016
A myRAteam Member

Thanks Russ for your support but I'm sorry you have problems too. I'm alone most of the time (hubby works nights) so I tend to eat the same things all the time. I dropped another 2#'s this morning making nearly 10#s in 2 1/2 weeks. I bought some meal supplements (Ensure, etc) but haven't had the nerve to try them. Have to do something but I think the meds zap my appetite!

May 21, 2016
A myRAteam Member

I still have to force myself to eat. I used to think it was because of the problems that Sjogrens caused. But even after I've had my teeth fixed I just don't feel hungry. And yes, living alone it's sometimes not worth the trouble to make a healthy meal just for myself.

May 21, 2016

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