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weight loss meds, which ones?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Stuarts Draft, VA

Hi all, Ive been in this group for a while now, even though I didn't have an official diagnosis. But I do now! took forever to get in with Rheumatologist,but he sure was worth the wait! SEVERE RA.. my diagnosis. On top of fibromyalgia and Sjogren's disease. So Im now on the prednisone train, and methotrexate, he changed the mg and the way I take it.. My ? is Im hearing so much about the GLP weight loss medications helping with RA.. Can I ask, which one's have been the best and does insurance… read more

June 19
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myRAteam

First off, congratulations on finally getting that diagnosis — it's a big deal, even if "severe RA" isn't exactly the news anyone hopes for. Now you have a path forward, and that matters!

Regarding GLP-1 medications and RA — this is a genuinely exciting area of research right now. A recent study found that people with RA Show Full Answer

First off, congratulations on finally getting that diagnosis — it's a big deal, even if "severe RA" isn't exactly the news anyone hopes for. Now you have a path forward, and that matters!

Regarding GLP-1 medications and RA — this is a genuinely exciting area of research right now. A recent study found that people with RA who are overweight and took GLP-1 drugs saw improvements in:

- Weight reduction
- Pain levels
- Inflammation markers
- Overall RA disease activity
- Cardiovascular health The most commonly discussed GLP-1 medications include:

- Semaglutide (sold as Ozempic, Rybelsus, or Wegovy)
- Tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro or Zepbound)

It's worth knowing that these aren't currently approved specifically for RA treatment, so insurance coverage for RA-related use can be tricky. Coverage is more likely if prescribed for weight management directly. The best step is to have an open conversation with your rheumatologist about whether a GLP-1 medication makes sense alongside your current prednisone and methotrexate regimen. They can also help navigate insurance coverage, as approval often depends on your specific health profile and how the prescription is written.

Managing weight with RA is genuinely important — excess body fat can fuel inflammation and may even reduce how well certain RA medications work, so this conversation with your doctor is absolutely worth having!

June 19

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