Over the past 4 months I have lost a significant amount of weight. I wasn't a big person to begin so even losing a little weight looks like a lot. In total since the beginning of December when I got strep and then following that started a bad exacerbation, I lost a total of 20 pounds. I was a little shocked when I got on the scale. I have not been this weight in 15 years (give or take).

With that said, I did have one flare where I lost a lot of weight (10 pounds) and it was the worst flare (with the exception of this one) that I have ever experienced. So with both of these flares with symptoms lasting 4 months, I have lost weight. Has anyone experienced this before?

My weight changes have never been associated with flares; rather I can look back and see other influences at the time.... like worry, stress, viruses or other more serious illnesses.

If absolutely none of those are relevant Trish, maybe you should think about seeing your local doctor. Better to be sure than have one more cause for concern.

Thanks, Anne! There are other influences . . .strep, then the flare started, and then my dad died all in December as well as having several major changes happen all within a year. So the combination of everything certain could be a contributing factor to the loss of weight.

Generally, when I get the hug I lose my appetite. They did up my Neurontin by 300 mg for the hug, numbness, and loss of sensation of hot/cold in my arms and hands but I reacted badly to it and we dropped it back down to the normal dose. It is hard to decipher what is what and I think it is a combination of things. As of now, my dr wants to just wait and see and is helping me get my body back on track and in balance from both the flare and Neurontin reaction (once I dropped my dose back down, I started doing better). Most of the physical things related to the flare have calmed down and I am back to a new normal.

As I mentioned, my 1st major flare I lost quite a bit of weight too and I was just curious what others have experienced. In 5 years, this past flare was the 2nd to worst I have ever had and the longest in regards to symptoms. (Again, I totally don't discount stress, grief and anxiety over such as being part of the mix and have been going to a wonderful counselor for the past several months.)

I lose weight with a flare. its never a big amount, just a pound or two, and then when its over that same pound finds me again. its like my body has decided this is the exact weight I am supposed to be. like it or not this is what you weigh. Good question.

I lost 50 pounds during my first major flare over a period of about 4 months. In retrospect, I think it was the steroids that caused it. My heart rate was elevated for about 2 1/2 months after iv steroid treatment and I could not sleep more than 4 hours a night. Unfortunately, I gained it all back over the next year.

I'm in a flare up now, I think. I've had this particular sx before about 8 years ago. Would that be considered a flare up? I should know this stuff by now.

Right now, it's so tiring and difficult to walk around that I don't eat much. Just too much work.

I lost over 60 lbs during my exacerbation from hell, in 1992. Since then I've gone to SPMS and only have small flares now, so I've gained back 35, chocolate chip cookie, pounds. I think the IVSM played a part in that loss, too.

Trish, feel better soon.

You too Kell.

For those that have lost weight during a flare, I just wanted to let you know that it made me feel better knowing that a few others have experienced this. I have one MS friend who lost a lot during a major flare. I wasn't too sure what others have experienced.

Kelly - I went through the same thing. I wanted quick foods that didn't take a lot of effort (yogurt, sandwiches, fruit, and things like that). I don't eat junk food, in fact, we don't even have any in the house other than pretzels. I have been using my crockpot to make dinner as it is effortless. Hang in there and I hope you start feeling better soon!

In a flare, I tend to get more 'down' and depressed... when I'm down or depressed I eat less as a result (I eat more when I'm happy and in good spirits/feeling good). So I always lose.

My couple of years of almost constant flares left me 15 lbs lighter. I wasn't really complaining about that though!

I found that the vertigo made it really hard to eat. I also ate way less when I was sleeping 18 - 20 hours a day! Hard to eat when you are sleeping.

Being skinnier was the only upside of being sick as hell.