Weight Loss and worsening OA ......

cymraeg555
cymraeg555 Member Posts: 23
edited 16. Jan 2010, 04:54 in Living with Arthritis archive
I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them ,I lost a significant amount of weight in the hope that my arthritis would improve,but for me it has actually got worse ,maybe it would have if I hadnt lost the weight as well,wondering if this has happened to anyone else ?
I did hear from another person that her ortho doc said that the extra weight acts as scaffolding for the knees ( even though it is xtra pressure ) and when you lose weight ,it makes the joints less stable ?

Cymraeg x

Comments

  • linnie13
    linnie13 Member Posts: 10
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    cymraeg555 wrote:
    I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them ,I lost a significant amount of weight in the hope that my arthritis would improve,but for me it has actually got worse ,maybe it would have if I hadnt lost the weight as well,wondering if this has happened to anyone else ?
    I did hear from another person that her ortho doc said that the extra weight acts as scaffolding for the knees ( even though it is xtra pressure ) and when you lose weight ,it makes the joints less stable ?

    Cymraeg x
    I have lost 3 stone in the last 12 mths an YES my arthritis has got a lot worse. I also thought it would help my poor joints but instead my legs have been giving in & going into spasms it's so strange. I now weigh the ideal weight for my height etc.. Luv Lin
  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 48
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Now that you mention it i too have lost approx 5 stone in just over 6 months and my arthritis is really playing up too. I also have just had an op to remove 2 discs and some bone from my neck and had it fused so i had put mine down to extra problems with my neck but even after the op the arthur pain is still a problem. hugs to you both CB :wink:
  • gemmapetken
    gemmapetken Member Posts: 263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    yep same here, lost weight in the hope that it would improve my arthritis but it seems to be getting worse.

    argh - dont know what to do!!!
    seeing gp tonight

    Gxx
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    this interesting as to loose weight u will have exercised more so would have expected u to have strenthened muscles suporting joints, so why this prob did not think fat helped? what do i know been trying to loose some weight as do feel need to. but which type of arther do u all have ?? is it just one type or all of them ??
    val
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Good to see you posting CB!

    How are you going on after your neck operation? Good for you for losing all that weight even if it has not directly helped your arthritis. It must be healthier to not be carrying so much weight around.

    Do let us know how you are, chinablue :)

    Look after yourself and keep warm,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Cymraeg,

    I think there was a post about this back along? It does seem that weight loss does make the bones hurt more, bit like less swelling. I don't know how it does it but have thought both produce 'support' by being round the joints and sort of cushioning them? Its got to be better though to have less weight on the bones but just at the mo I lack will power :roll: Take care Cris
  • dean76
    dean76 Member Posts: 112
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Since being inactive with arthritis Ive lots tons of weight and I really didnt need to in the first place. My GP referred me to a Dietician and they have given me Energy drinks. I drink 30ml 4 times a day but the thing is these Strawberry milkshake type liquids dont give me more energy but give me 400 calories at a time so I dont lose weight.

    I now dont seem to be in as much pain with my feet and stay at a stable weight. So I do agree that losing weight can make OA pain worse.

    Dean xx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, my weight is about the same as always, well a little bit extra at Christmas, but that doesn't count!

    I always thought that loosing weight was a good thing, now it seems not! Although, I suppose in the long run, as your muscles get stronger, it should help?
    Love Sue
  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 48
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Good to see you posting CB!

    How are you going on after your neck operation? Good for you for losing all that weight even if it has not directly helped your arthritis. It must be healthier to not be carrying so much weight around.

    Do let us know how you are, chinablue :)

    Look after yourself and keep warm,

    Elna x
    Hi Elna thankyou for asking how I am after op still in lot of pain and not able to do much yet but can see it will help in the long run. Only thing they have stopped arthur treatment at mo because of op and have put me on orar morph and after that stronge pain killers so aurther playing a lot at mo but hopefully will all be worth it in the long run. someone else asked what sort of arthritis i had I have RA and think proberly OA too now. When i lost the weight i was not trying and still looseing now but it has not affected my made my condistion any better I still have wieght to loose about a couple of stone or so before i need to worry. When i was at my haviest i was still very active and did contact sports and played babminton unfortunatly those days have long since passed cliaming the stairs is a montain for me these days. I used swim alot but again haven't even been able to do that for a while now any way better go love to all CB :wink:
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Chinablue :)

    So pleased to hear from you. Although you are still in the recuperation stage after the op, as long as you can see that it will help in the future, is all that matters. You are doing really well as you have much to contend with. Losing the weight is a positive even if it is not the all miracle cure :lol: :roll: At least that cannot be thrown back at you by the medics, as an excuse as to why you may be in pain/discomfort etc.

    You may well get back to swimming in the future. First things first, look after No: 1. We are allowed to be selfish sometimes. :wink::wink: You are going in the right direction and that is the main thing.

    Keep on, keeping on,

    Love
    Elna x((()))
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.