[Jan B]

Trina,

I'm sorry if I came off as not compassionate, but I've been down the road of diet pills, and just know it's not a safe way to go. I do have a lot of compassion for you and others who take medication that helps the weight pile on. My mother has RA, and is very well controlled, but she weighs more than she ever has in her life. I think you are just going to have to decrease the amount you are eating, even if it seems you aren't eating that much. I have a lot of joint issues/pain, and a pretty high ANA reading, but have never been diagnosed w/Lupus or RA. I chalk it up to connective tissue hardening due to long term Type 1. I also have arthritis which hurts if you do, and hurts if you don't exercise. And I have chronically snapping fingers. Thank God, my frozen shoulders are no longer frozen and I get restful sleep again.

I'm sending you hugs and compassion -- keep hanging in there and keep seeking that balance of feeling right -- it's not easy. Maybe there IS something you can take for help with the weight -- like the Symlin. I don't know. I think I'd rather be overweight than in pain all the time. Good luck . . .