Weight Gain
Lupus weight gain is a common side effect of the condition and medications used to treat it. I experienced some weight gain when I was on steroids, which can totally mess with your self-esteem.
Although my weight gain was only slight because the course of steroids was only over a month, for some, it can be significant if the medication is taken over a long period of time.
I have heard doctors say that steroids don’t actually cause weight gain, rather they cause an increase in appetite. Some claim that weight gain can be avoided altogether if you keep a close watch on your food intake, but I’m not sure this is the case.
For many, steroids cause fluid retention in the face and jaw that give way to a “moon face” or “chipmunk cheeks.” Even the thinnest of people will experience this type of facial bloat on long-term steroids, which can make you totally self-conscious.
When I was on steroids, I am unsure if my appetite was increased or if the medicine simply made me retain weight, but the cravings on steroids are almost unbearable. I tried to monitor my calorie intake, but it didn’t seem to do much good.
Besides taking a physical toll on your appearance, steroids can make you feel extremely energetic, give you terrible migraines or give you a weird metallic taste in your mouth. Although your doctor may tell you how to cope with steroids or what to expect, they aren’t counselors and often won’t tell you how to deal with the changes to your physical appearance.
This is where it is extremely important to join a support group for those with lupus or lupus-like diseases. Together with other lupies, you can discuss your vulnerability, the changes in your appearance and strategize ways to minimize or eliminate weight gain associated with steroids.
Weight gain or inability to lose weight can also play a role in your life with lupus even without steroids. For many people, lupus makes them totally lethargic when they are in periods of flare.
Although I enjoy exercise, if I’m not feeling well, it can be difficult to even get out of bed. Couple that with not being able to cook for yourself and voila, you have a recipe for gaining weight, or at least being unable to lose weight.
For me, this takes a huge hit on my self-esteem, as I have always had body image issues, and in the last year whilst being ill I have packed on 20 pounds or so. I have managed to lose about 12 of them, but there are a few that won’t budge, and I’m not too happy about it.
Still, when you’re in bed all day, there is little you can do to curb it besides simply cutting down on your food intake, which doesn’t even always work when you aren’t kickstarting your metabolism with regular exercise.
Hair Loss
Although I have never experienced this myself, lupus can also cause women to lose their hair, which is arguably the most devastating symptom. Some women may experience a significant hair thinning, while others may lose their hair altogether.
Again, this is when going to a support group to help cope with such a monumental physical loss is key.
For some women, wigs or extensions can help temporarily “fix” lupus hair loss, but it is simply a band aid instead of a full fix. For most women, their hair comes back after their medication is discontinued or their lupus flare passes, but it doesn’t make it any less traumatic when it is occurring.
It is important for all women to feel beautiful, but when suffering from lupus SLE, it is especially important to find ways to bolster your self-esteem and keep you feeling mentally well. After all, feeling mentally well and positive is a great way to kickstart your body and helping it physically recover.
