Connect
Lupus flares and weight loss
I am curious if anyone else has had weight loss associated with lupus/autoimmune flares. For the last year, though I am on high doses of steroids, any time I have a “flare” I start having rather dramatic weight loss. My appetite doesn’t change, diet doesn’t change (though I start craving meat on my Mediterranean diet), and I am so tired I sleep most of the time, but even with the limited activity I drop a few pounds every few days. The current flare is about 3 weeks old and I went from 198 to 180 lbs. Granted I have room to lose weight, but this is a bit crazy. It happens every time there is a flare, when I usually am at the highest steroid doses and would expect to be gaining steroid weight, Anyone else out there have similar experiences?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.
Connect
Welcome, @machak. Lupus can sometimes cause weight loss or weight gain. I'm tagging fellow members who have experience with lupus, like @gingerw @jearanai13 @ejlm @debbybundy and @thunder_dog88 so they can share with you.
I can see where this weight loss would be concerning to you. Do you gain the weight back once a flare has calmed?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 Reactions@machak I was diagnosed with lupus back in 1988, and experience mild flares from time to time. For me, when there is a flare, I just don't feel like eating, no matter what other things may be going on. I do take a steroid dose once a week for another issue, and know that while some people experience a real appetite boost, I don't. Do the steroids give you "energy boosts" that might be counteracting maintaining your weight?
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsThanks, but no, it isn’t the steroids causing weight loss. Unfortunately Mayo just told me that since my Mayo rheumatologist passed away, I have to start over with new outside referrals, medical records review, getting permission to make an appointment, etc as if I has not been a Mayo patient for the last decade.