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PMR diabetes and weight gain

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susan29755
susan29755

Diagnosed 6 months ago started on 15mg Prednisolone now down to 9mg and reducing 1mg monthly. A bit of early morning leg stiffness but no big deal. My maiin concern is that I am a T1 diabetic and the prednisolone means I have had to increase my insulin intake drastically and my blood sugar levels are often high and not consistent - I can cope but it's not easy. Does anyone have any advice. The next concern is weight  gain, initially I lost almost 2 stone. Most of that weight has gone back on but where will it end? Will I continue to gain weight on the prednisolone? I have been trying hard to cut carbs and diet but it has had very little effect. Any insights?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK susan29755

    Posted

    Can't help on the diabetes front but I have increased in weight, but I think it's because I'm less active and I have to be very careful what I eat as the preds made me feel hungry!  A bit of mind over matter and not giving into temptation - I think!
  • EileenH
    EileenH susan29755

    Posted

    It all depends - in PMR and pred most things are a bit "how long is a piece of string".

    If you weren't diabetic I'd say cut carbs REALLY drastically but I imagine your dietician would have a fit - although the American Diabetic Association has approved a low carb diet as an acceptable way to manage diabetes in the shortterm. They seem to think it is a difficult way of eating to stick to long term - I don't understand why, it is definitely "my" way of feeding!  I recommend reading Steve Parker's Diabetic Mediterranean Diet blog - he is diabetic and a doctor so does know what he's talking about.

    I put on way more than 2st - and I hadn't lost any with PMR, in fact I had gained several pounds due to not being able to exercise. When I was first put on pred I didn't gain much more, it just redistributed to waist and face and then I was switched to another form of pred and ballooned (and grew a beard). It was horrible. Since being switched again and cutting carbs a LOT (rarely over 50g utiliseable carb per day) I have steadily lost weight and am almost back to pre-PMR weight, just half a stone or so to go (38lbs to date).

    One lady whose BS's went haywire went to WW and once she got her diet sorted has lost weight steadily and her BS's are OK - she's T2 though. I know for many people it is total lack of awareness what carbs are - said lady thought cornflakes and skim milk was a healthy diet for a diabetic and wondered why her BS got to 20! But I imagine you know where carbs hide as well as I do!

  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall susan29755

    Posted

    Hi Susan, a dilemma indeed and luckily for me I am not confronted with this problem. I'm wondering if Being type 1 diabetes has prompted your 1mgs drop each time as opposed to the more slow reduction and reduction by a .5.

    weight gain is a nuisance and of course in your case It is very important that you eat regularly. Keep up the low carbs which in your case will be goid for both the diabetes and good health in general. You will get there but it does take time. Sorry I cannot help you but hopefully a member will offer some help soon, all the best, christina 

  • gpgp
    gpgp susan29755

    Posted

    Dear Susan, Suggest you re-post your question in the Diabetes forum. Hopefully you will meet some expert patients who have faced this problem before. Failing that get some advice from your diabetic specialist and dietician.
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