Weight loss after pregnancy and joint pain

[LeSquigh]

I have a nearly 4 yo DS. Before I got pregnant I was a size 16 and weighed nearly 14 stone. Following the birth I rapidly lost a lot of weight. Didn't breastfeed. I lost 2 stone before I even noticed my clothes were looser at which point I weighed myself and made the discovery. This was within 6 months of birth. A further 2 stone was shed in the following few months bringing my weight down to almost 10 stone and being able to fit comfortably into a size 10. In addition, within a few weeks of giving birth I developed severe joint pain which at the time was diagnosed as Reactive Arthritis. My immune system flooded my body too quickly following pregnancy resulting in awfully painful joints. This was the case for around 6 months until it got better and inflammation markets in my blood came down to normal levels.

In order not to drip feed I was also diagnosed with PTSD due to traumatic birth.

In the last year I have been gaining weight again, and am now a few pounds under 12st. A lot of this is due to a change in lifestyle, becoming more content, drinking more wine, eating out more etc. I would like to lose some of this weight and plan to do so by eating a bit better and doing a lot more walking. I'm not obsessed with losing weight but if I can lose a few pounds I would feel happier and look better.

I still now have flare ups of joint pain. Really bad sometimes. I have had frequent bloods taken and they show no or minimal signs of inflammation markers rising. I am awaiting a rheumatology referral as I have severe anterior uveitis in one eye which Opthalmology say points towards an auto immune disorder. This would explain joint pain. I was surprised when my eye was looked at and was asked "do you experience joint pain"! Have had tests for Ankylosing Spondylitis but do not have the gene which 90% of cases have. I could still have it but needs further investigation.

Has anyone else experienced dramatic weight loss after pregnancy, or joint pain or anything else that I describe?

I'm fed up of not knowing what's wrong with me!