If you have autoimmune / inflammatory arthritis I have some questions.

[Crunchymum]

I'm just wondering if there is anyone else who has Psoriatic or Rheumatoid Arthritis who is successful using weightloss injections?

Do you mind sharing what weightloss injection you use and what medication you take for your Arthritis?

I'm currently 5 weeks into Wegovy and 3 weeks into the worst flare I've ever had. So frustrating.... no appetite suppression at all and no weightloss.

I have taken Methotrexate for 6.5 years but stopped in early January due to nausea and feeling like utter crap for 36h post MTX (started Wegovy in early Feb)

I'm planning to move to MJ and I'm also due to start biologic as soon as my funding is approved. Hopefully both around the same time.

My rheumatology team are generally amazing but have been able to offer zero advice on weightloss injections barring "check with your prescriber". Very similar story with GP.

I guess I'm just wondering (hoping!) I can still get a prescription when I start the biologic.

Hoping to hear from anyone in a similar situation.

Hi I'm currently on Tremfya for Psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis, I also have PCOS and at 5ft 3 I was horrendously overweight at 23st 7.5lbs. I started Mounjaro in September and it has been a game changer for me, I've lost just over 4 stone. Only side effect I've had was nausea the first few weeks and I get tired the day after the injection. Food noise has gone I only get cravings and feel snacky around my period. If I can shift another few stone I will be delighted, currently swimming a mile 3 times a week and will be soon venturing into the gym. It has made a massive difference to my health and wellbeing, in August I could hardly walk without my hips in agony this has all gone. The dermatologist could believe it when she saw me and was nothing but delighted 🤩

This is amazing @Lillipops

I'm so happy to hear its all working so well for you. I have tried and failed for 7 years to lose weight and I'm bigger than ever.

I think fundamentally weight loss improves arthritis symptoms but no-one seems able to explore the benefits for me personally. I will make full disclosure when I move over to MJ.

I'm due to start Adalimumab and they also recommend I go back to a small amount of Methotrexate. Just hoping this doesn't make me unsuitable for MJ.

@Crunchymum I did take Adimulab but it stopped working for me after a couple of years, this was before I started MJ. I refuse to take methotrexate it didn't agree with me at all, my hair fell out, I was exhausted and just generally ill. Everyone is different though and I had a positive result on some medications they didn't think I would. From what Dermo told me your body builds up resistance so it's just a case of trying something else until they find one that fits. I wish you every luck on MJ, I found the side effects were worse on the 2.5mg for around 3 weeks and I went up each dose as recommended. I'm now on 12.5mg and I'm staying on this until I feel proper hunger again so at least I can go up to 15mg. Food noise and cravings have gone and I finally feel in control of myself. Buying a new swimsuit from Next in a size 22 was a revelation this week! My first one was a 28 from jd Williams and was frumpy, I'm 43 😅

Can I ask do you know to take folic acid the day after methotrexate?
Or that you can take methotrexate by injection not tablet which apparently has less side effects?

Just to add I'll update my own story later don't have the time now :)

@Crunchymum

I was supposed to go on methotrexate when my psoriasis developed into psoriatic arthritis.
instead I went on Keto and lost 4 stone, no more arthritis for years until I contracted flu and it was triggered off again. I think it was the anti inflammatory effect of the diet that helped me rather than the actual weight loss.

I do know your question is about WLI but keto did all that for me and more. So if they have an anti inflammatory mechanism I’d imagine they would help you too x

Hi Crunchmum, I have psoratic arthritis as well as orsteoarthritis & fibromyalgia. Take 20mg Methatrexate & 5mg folic acid since 2020. My weight has gone up about 1st each year despite eating healthier & avoiding UPF. Started on wegovy in April 2024,was on it for 3 months lost 6lbs. Switched to Mounjaro and have lost another 1st 7lbs. I also take Mitrazapine (& lots more meds). I asked my GP before starting the injections if it was ok with all my meds & was told he was unaware of any reason not to try it.
i fully disclosed all medication I take to the injection provider. I have swapped providers a few times due to price increases, only found one that refused me due to Methatrexate.
I understand Methatrexate & Mitrazapine both lead to weight gain so do feel I’m fighting an uphill battle. So lost almost 2 stone In 11months. Im paying for this myself & on 12.5 dose. Food noise has gone & my overall general health has improved. Do feel sad that I’ve not lost much compared to others though.

Hello, i would love to hear others’ experiences but this is my story (sorry longer than anticipated!)

I have RA but didn’t get on with methotrexate/hydrocychloroquine, after a while decided I’d rather be in pain than feel sick all the time so stopped taking the medication. I had a flare and was due to start injectable methotrexate which apparently has fewer side effects but in the interim (Nov last year) started mounjaro, my symptoms cleared up and it honestly felt like a miracle, I had a check up at the hospital in January and explained to the nurse that I’d not started methotrexate but was taking mounjaro, she was very supportive and asked lots of questions, scanned me and took bloods, said she would discuss with my consultant when the results came back. Anyway a couple of weeks later I got a letter from the hospital saying they were happy with the results and I could continue mounjaro without specific RA medication, will be reviewed again in 6 months. So at the moment all is well which compared to the previous 2 years when I had flares lasting months is a vast improvement.

To add I’ve not been the fastest loser but still really pleased as would usually have given up by now, have almost lost 2 stone in 4 and a half months

SW: 14,11
CW: 12.13

Best of luck whatever you decide

x

@EmmaSussex tats such a good weight loss, well done! Everyone is hinting that MJ is an easy option and it really isn't yes the food noise diminishes but you still have to decide what you put in your body. I'm personally craving fruit and protein, it's weird but however long it takes me I'm in it for the long haul. The energy I have and the health benefits outweigh the odd iffy day I have. It's worth every penny. Good luck in your journey 🥰

@Su55anr please don't be disheartened every pound off is better than a pound on xxx

I am on Apremilast for psorriatic arthritis. The drug it's self is apparently mildly weight reducing.

I have halved my body weight with zero side effects.
I feel that my inflammation has dropped right down and it happened pretty soon after starting MJ, so not just due to weightloss. I am convinced MJ itself reduces inflammation.
For instance I am allergicc to something in my watch strap, maybe the nickel or the latex. Used to get horrible weepy break outs on my wrist. Never had it again since the day I started MJ ( 1 year ago now)

I've been looking into this - I have psoriatic arthritis and lost count of the number of meds I've tried. Currently only on NSAIDs while waiting to start Rinvoq. Some of what I've read about MJ sounds encouraging for reducing inflammation, but the consultant wouldn't discuss it at my last appointment. My BMI is 27 so I'm not sure whether I can get it anyway, which is really annoying cos my BMI was 22 til this bastard disease got me 😭

Hi @Crunchymum I’m at a very similar point to you in that I’m about to start Adalimumab after stopping methotrexate in December. I only lasted 6 months on it ( 2 months on tablets and the remainder on injections) but felt so rough with gastric side effects my rheumatologist agreed to go forward with a biologic.

I decided to start early January on mounjaro reasoning that I would be well used to coping with any gastro side effects and I have to say it’s the best decision I’ve made in a long time. I haven’t had any side effects and have lost 10kg in 2 months. I think it’s too soon to say if it’s helped with the RA but aside from the weight-loss I’ve also seen an improvement in mental clarity ( I’m peri) which could also be linked with a reduction in inflammation. Everyone has different experiences on WLI so I’m thankful I seem to one of the lucky ones - best of luck with whatever you decide!

@Lillipops thank you for the kind words and congratulations on your loss, 4 stone is fantastic, and you must feel so good being able to exercise, I’ve been trying to walk more and planning to join the gym
As you say MJ isn’t an easy option, not going to lose weight unless you change your eating habits but MJ has given me the ability to be less greedy, I’ve been eating smaller portions and if I fancy a biscuit I’ll have one but not eat the whole packet!
Best of luck to everyone, hope everyone remains free of flares x

@Su55anr keep going you’re doing brilliantly!

I have psoriatic arthritis and after a year of Methotrexate I’ve now been on Benapali, a biologic injection, for 4 years with no side effects. I had awful nausea on Methotrexate.
I am one month into Ozempic. My rheumatologist confirmed there was no problem with me taking it or Mounjaro. I’m 7lb down in one month and delighted with it.

I don't have any joint problems but did want to say that while I was on MJ I did have quite bad joint pain (elbows and wrists specifically) so I do know that this can be a side effect. The pain did stop after a couple of months.

I also decided to do an antiinflammatory diet while on mj as it's much easier without the carb cravings. My general knee pain did improve. Might be worth considering if it's not something you tried before.

Just found this thread as im in the same situation... kind of. So I started mj June 25 and stopped January 26 (I simply could afford it after christmas) but im back on it. I lost 4 stone in the 6 months I was on it. I felt great. I cleared all my psoriasis up and I generally felt great. Till I stopped and had the almightyist flare up! Ive been prescribed amgevita 40mg once a fortnight. Ive tried oral and injection mtx - both were just horrendous. Ive tried leflunomode, sulfasalazine etc all didnt help. Im hoping this biologic helps but im also super anxious at same time. Also has anyone took it with mj? as ive started taking that again. My rheumy nurse was/is lovely. She said she can't tell me not to take the mj but because it helped so well last time with clearing my skin & helped with the creaky joints they'll maybe not be able to tell if the amgevita is working or if its the mj. I feel stuck and could really use any advise if anyone's in same situation. Sorry for the long post

I started Methatrexate in 2020 & it helped my Psoratic arthritis immediately. Great results within 6 wks but I started to notice my weight was going up about 1-2lbs each month despite counting calories & eating whole foods. Fast forward to April 2024 and I was over 4 stone heavier. GP wouldn’t listen to me. Wasn’t eligible for Injections so paid for it myself whilst still on Methatrexate. It took me 18 mths to lose 3 stone, it was frustrating. Stopped taking it end of December as couldn’t afford it. I’ve put 1st 9ibs on since.I was doing light exercises ( have mobility issues) but increased it since January. No side effects on Mounjaro or on Wegovy

I have rheumatoid arthritis and take Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. Been on mounjaro 9 months and my rheumatology doctor has no issues with it! I’m over 3 stone down.