eating problems

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi, think I have had PMR for nearly 2 years, but was only officially diagnosed this summer, please has anyone else suffered loss of appetite, both before  preds and after them, I have hardly touched meat in this time, eat half the amount i used to but have still gained weight, am really worried as I dont understand it and nobody else seems to have these problems, if you do please let me know. thank you.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa

    I definitely lost my appetite before pred - lost a stone as well. And I don't think my appetite has really recovered though I've put the weight back. Sometimes I feel quite panicky when faced with an overloaded plate at restaurants. But I think we eat less as we get older anyway - I'm nearly sixty. I certainly wouldn't  worry about it.

    • Posted

      thank you for that, helps me to know tha someone else also suffered with this, the preds have not made me want to eat more but they have certainly helped the pain and weight gain although I dont eat a lot.
  • Posted

    Strangely, I too went off meat (also milk) - my favourie food/drink.  Never been able to go back (after 3 1/2 years).  At first most of us put on weight (although eating less).  Must be the pred. Fat, for want of another word, gathers around the middle, and also on the face.  You'll probably settle down after a while.  Good luck!   
    • Posted

      Vanessa, I really wouldn't worry too much about it.  Pred does individual things to individuals, and many here would envy you the lost appetite.

      When first on steroids many years ago now, I put on 3 stone in a matter of weeks going from 7.5 stone to 10.5 and was very upset and distressed about it - particularly as most of it was round my middle!

      It did eventually (mostly) disappear as the pred dose reduced, but I now have limited moblilty due to other conditions and it is beginning to pile on again.  I feel it shouldn't upset me now at age 70, but it does - if I let it!

  • Posted

    I ate virtually nothing before I was diagnosed with PMR, the first time in my life when I lost my appetite. As soon as I started on pred I got a voracious appetite. I suppose being hungry with reduced pain is a lot better than being off my food and being house bound and hardly able to move without pain though.
  • Posted

    And I put on weight in the 5 years of PMR that was pre-pred because of loss of mobility and not being able to do the stuff in the gym I had been able to do. I started on 15mg pred and immediately went off carbs. Didn't lose weight or put any on really but it redistributed to face and middle. Then I was switched to a different pred and put on shed-loads of weight in a couple of months. And finally was put on another pred, got mobile again and have lost the weight again.

    Different people, different pred, different effects. And I think being off food with PMR happens for a lot of people and they also lose weight (if only!!!)

  • Posted

    GPs are avoiding diagnosing PMR, just saying the aches and pains are related to age or weight, this way they avoid giving the patient ESR & CRP testing, prednisolone and bone protection (cal + Vit D3), DEXA scans, etc., and they need to see the patient for decrease in medication, etc. Some patients, such as myself was practically disabled for years due to buttock and leg pains which prednosolone cured within days. Though I don't like being on prednisolone, it is far better to be able to be active than suffering discomfort and disability. PMR can turn into GCA of course, which is far more serious. Doctors like to avoid this too but the consequences of not treating it responsibly are increased risk of stroke, heart attack and dementia and a possibility of total blindness. 

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.