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Chipmunk Cheeks!

Posted , 12 users are following.

sastew
sastew

I've had the typical chipmunk cheeks for a few months now.  I'm down to 7mg of Pred now.  When can I expect to see a reduction in water retention - or is it just not that simple?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Nancy_O
    Nancy_O sastew

    Posted

    I have the same question. I am down to 11mg after a year and would like to have my face back! 1
  • EileenH
    EileenH sastew

    Posted

    The chipmunk cheeks aren't always just fluid retention, especially at the lower doses, it is one of the typical places pred makes fat stores increase - around the midriff and the buffalo hump are the other specific ones. Plus just generally all over...

    For some people they don't go until on a very low dose or even totally off pred. I started to lose them while still on 15mg of (a different) pred by cutting carbs drastically. It took a couple of years (always still above about 8mg) but it was steady weight loss to a total of about 36lbs. Lodger on this forum lost not a jot until she stopped pred - having put on 5 stone (70lbs) without eating more when she first started on high dose pred for GCA. Then it just melted away - she didn't notice it at first!

    Of all approaches, the most effective we've found so far is cutting carbs - a lot. Some people have lost weight, others have not put any or much on. You are also cutting out sugar and refined carbs - both of which are very inflammatory so can only be a help with the PMR/GCA itself.

    • jeanne333
      jeanne333 EileenH

      Posted

      There is always a plus .. now that I have chipmunk cheeks, I look 10 years younger; my 74 year old winkles have smooth out and are almost gone. lol
    • Elijo
      Elijo jeanne333

      Posted

      Same here.  Everyone tells me how well I look!  Aha!  Looks are deceiving.  Now that I'm on   lower doses my cheeks are diminishing.  My edema (mainly feet and ankles) is also improving.  No weight loss yet (gained about 10 lbs.), still fit into my clothes  (just a little more snug))
    • Jersey_Royal
      Jersey_Royal EileenH

      Posted

      Hello Eileen, can I just ask you about pred I have had GCA since Nov 2012, and slowly decreased with blood tests all ok,  got down to 1 a day for about 3 months then down to half a day.  Last Nov I started swimming at local pool(usually swim in sea, but too nippy in winter.  The next day I was covered in this itchy rash, which turned into sort of warty hard top things, they have given me all sorts of creams & antibiotics, but still have it. Sometimes goes a bit, but then back.  So my Dr said to finish the pred, as just half a day is only the same as just sniffing the pill??

      which I did  about - month ago. Feel sort of ok, no headaches, but complete tiredness, no energy, is this normal, or should I go back on Pred, she thought rash maybe something to do with pred.  But no change, wIting to see dermatologist but long waitlist 

      feel bit miserable all this scratching they say it's not Exema or any of those type of skin infections 

      it's not  shingles as no pain just itching, do you know of anyone with this rash thing linked to pred?

      sorry, gone on a bit, but seem to come to a halt with the Dr's.

      Jan.  Started on 60 pred had moon face, but all gone now.

    • EileenH
      EileenH Jersey_Royal

      Posted

      Not at that low a dose - and I'll lay odds it has far more to do with your swimming pool than the pred. If it were me I'd ask for an emergency referral to dermatology - which your doctor can do if she wants to.

      And SHE may think that 1/2 is only sniffing at the pill but you'd be surprised how many people find it was enough to prevent a flare! But they only found out when they had stopped - but you'll probably be fine so don't worry about it. Great you are off altogether and if you are OK it would be a shame to go back. 

      In terms of the fatigue - ask your GP to please do a synacthen/ACTH stimulation test to see if your adrenal glands are working OK. That is the most likely reason for the excessive fatigue - unless it is something to do with the rash which could be viral or autoimmune as well. 

      I do hope it clears - "they" being the GPs I assume. They aren't scratching are they! Have you tried a good dose of antihistamines? Try some loratidine if not - even Lidl sell it!

    • Jersey_Royal
      Jersey_Royal EileenH

      Posted

      Bless you Eileen thanks for that, we havnt got Lidle here unfortunately,

      can I get At chemist? I might try good old Calamne Lotion to stop itching? She has  given me Sterod cream for rash, also antibiotic cream 

      had blood tests, but don't think I have had antihistamines.  I will try and get the loraldine in chemist..  And will def ask for adrenal  test. And antihistamines 

      Thankyou agan Eileen, feel bit better already.

      Jan.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH Jersey_Royal

      Posted

      Any chemist or supermarket will have it. Calamine is always a good bet - but you end up looking so PINK!

      Do hope it clears up VERY soon!

    • Charlieschoc
      Charlieschoc Jersey_Royal

      Posted

      Calomine lotion is great for itching but it can dry the skin and you then get itching from that lol. Try calomine cream instead. Its aqeous based so moisterises instead of dries the skin. Very cheap available at most chemists over the counter x
  • diane67131
    diane67131 sastew

    Posted

    It was around 6mgs for me when I started to see the difference in my face and that very attractive hump on the back of my neck went away, but Eilleen is correct, cutting the carbs and watching what you eat is crucial.  I gained a lot of weight in the beginning from out of control eating.  As I weaned down to a smaller dosage, I could control that, ate better, lost most of what I gained and started looking like my old self again.  You're getting there.
    • Nancy_O
      Nancy_O diane67131

      Posted

      Thanks Diane, I am just starting to feel a little less fog-brained and ready to get a grip on the crazy appetite at night. Carbs are always my go to, but I am looking for more protein snacks for evening. Amy suggestions?
    • diane67131
      diane67131 Nancy_O

      Posted

      my computer was acting up and I lost my message to you.  Dissapeared.  Hope this isn't a repeat.

      A healthy, antiinflammatory snack could be apple slices or celery with almond butter.  But in all honestly, when I was on a bigger dose of pred, that wouldn't have done it for me.  While still carbs, a small bowl or organic oatmeal with crushed almonds and raisins would have filled me up more and had some protein.   A friend gave me a great book when I was in the pits of despair a couple of years ago.  It's by Kris Carr called Crazy Sexy Cancer.  Maybe you've heard of it.  She's a cancer survivor.   It's really easy to read, lots of info on sugar, inflammatory foods, dairy, juicing, etc.  It got me motivated to start eating right.  She followed it up with a book of recipes.  I don't know if I can recommed a book on this forum, but if so, that was very helpful to me.  

      I just started taking a vegan organic protein powder from a website that I trust.  It has probiotics, digestive enzymes, mushroom extracts for the immune system and no gluten, sugar or gmo.  I throw a banana in there with rice milk.  It fills me up and it's quick.

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