The 10 best answers win !!

I think that most of the weight gain is by steroids, pills or injections, it just a hunger craving and
maybe asking someone to help you when you get these cravings, or maybe set aside healthy
snack options such as blueberries, a small amount of dark chocolate, carrots, ect, maybe
expect that when you get on steroids that hunger cravings will be there and maybe
get out more so you can't just grab something to eat, or take a class or go to the bookstore to find a good book...
as for sex, for me RA's not really been a sex turn on, more of a turn off..
Today I used hot pack followed right after with a cold pack and that helped with swelling,
so I do fee a little better after that...but summer and fall when it first heats up or first cools off that's
when the RA hits me the hardest...

1) yes I think so, I can feel when rain is comming or the snow:)

2) swelling did go down for me couple of times by itself but it was just little swelling when it get to the serious swelling and pain it never get down by itself I needed increased dose of steroids

3) no, it did not improve mine :( I was concerned at some point

4) I did a little as I mostly spent my free time on the couch, I stopped going to gym... Move as much as your RA allow you and be careful with sweets :)

1- for me high humidity makes my joints uncomfortable as does bitter cold- nothing else bothers me.

2. RA is quite the trickster! Things magically swell and then go down- pain can be unbearable and then suddenly disappear- makes you feel crazy.

3. When RA confined me to a couch or bed I was unable to move let alone have sex.

4. If you are on steroids your appetite is through the roof. I am someone with an above average level of self control yet I could not control my appetite while on steroids. I had to go to bed at night just so I would stop putting food in my face. They also caused muscle wasting which caused me to not have the stamina I needed to exercise. It was a good thing I had lost 28 lbs. from my illness at onset because weight started leaping on at 6 lbs. a week! It did level off but i still felt fat and was very bloated.
Once off the prednisone (took 1 1/2 years) I was able to limit my calories to 1200 a day, and started slowly but pushed myself to 30 mins. of exercise 3 x per week and during that time I do some light weight training. I look and feel a lot better.

Thanks for all your answers!!

Your all winners in my book.........so its a draw lol

I do have another question, lets call it "the tiebreaker" question.

What is the minimum time one can have in between cortisone injections ?

I just got a cortisone shot in my left knee and left elbow. So, while there I thought I would ask the question.

The answer is: No more than 3 per joint, per year and no more than 2 (in 2 different joints) per day.

Hope this helps.