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Prednisone weight gain

Posted , 11 users are following.

renee39320
renee39320

I've had PMR since April 2015. Started with 20mg of prednisone, and now down to 8.5 mg. I've gained 18 pounds! I know that our bodies process carbs differently while on prednisone, and I'm trying to limit the carbs. At what point does the weight start to come off? How low a dose does it begin at? I've been able to be active, walking or playing tennis every day of the week. The weight is around my belly and my neck/chin! I really can't stand it, but it is better than the pain PMR causes!

2 likes, 24 replies

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  • Elijo
    Elijo renee39320

    Posted

    I was dx Nov. 1 with 40 mg. pred for 1 month then tapered to 30 mg. until the end of March.   I have much edema in my feet and ankles  and recently gained 8 -9 lbs in a veryi short time.  I am watching my diet VERY closely, I do eat healthy, lots of veggies, salads, greek yogurt, fruit, little bread or crackers.  I'm surviving OK, and I've been doing interval walking every morning for 1 1/2 miles.  I did get my weight down in several days, but I've noticed I do have to keep this up.  Yes, I've given up some of my favorite foods, and so many of them have salt causing me to retain fluid.  So far this is working for me.  It's a mind set, and I do crave other good foods but trying not to gain.  Good luck to you.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Elijo

      Posted

      It's nearly a fulltime job, isn't it?  Today I got up, did my physio and yoga exercises, ate breakfast and took my pred and vitamins etc.  Then I had a little rest with a cat on my lap.  After that I tidied up a pile of clutter.  Had morning tea break.  Went for a walk (about 1 hour).  Had lunch, checked my email and played the piano.  Had another little walk.  Just enjoying afternoon tea and snack now.  Soon it will be time to make supper.  This evening I will practice tai chi, do more physio and yoga, watch tv and read, and have yet another snack before bed, with ginger tea.  Seems that all I do is eat, sleep and exercise, although most days I do have an outside activity planned.
    • iellen32
      iellen32 Anhaga

      Posted

      Great schedule!

      I imagine you doing all that, step by step!

      Keep enjoying yourself ,taking a day at a time....

      As the Italian say: 'piano, piano, ci va

      lontano...'

      " slowly, slowly, we go far..'

      xxxxx

  • iellen32
    iellen32 renee39320

    Posted

    As you say, Renee, our bodies process glycemic carbs differently and also salt and sweets. I try to drink a lot if water.

    i have GCA there are three years.

    Started on Pred 60mg and immediately cut salt, sweets and glycemic carbs.

    i was drastic on my diet due to the high dose of Pred I had to take.

    In the onset of the illness before being diagnosed I lost 12 pounds, regained just few pounds.

    Most part of PMR patients I see they complain about  the weight gain though- the Pred increases the appetit, too.

    The weight gain must be hard to bear. 

    I have no idea when the the weight comes to normal - or if it doesn't while on Pred.

    Anyway as you say, better Pred with less pain and less inflammation!

    i exercise indoors doing treadmill while listening to the tunes which keep me going without feeling boredom.

    Again, we are all different - I cannot walk miles and miles, or go for hiking and swimming as so many people are able to do. 

    I accept myself the way I am.

    Renee wish you a healthy and happy 2016.

    Take care.

    i do not have symptoms of PMR.

    • iellen32
      iellen32

      Posted

      Would like to add I eat nuts, salads, kale,broccoli ( cooked without any salt just a drop of olive oil, broiled veggies with a drop of olive oil, too, sprinkled with  dried oregano, +  eggs, some  fresh mozzarella, some toasted pita bread, avocado, blueberries/ strawberries topped with a spoon of plain yogurts,  etc.

      Now and then  I give me the permission of eating oatmeal with cinnamon and nuts toasted almonds.

      I eat fish - specially like salmon, tilapia, whatever I can find.

      When eating read meat what I rarely do, it is always organic.

      As I said previously my diet  was drastic at the very beginning of the treatment due to the  a high amount of  Pred for my GCA.

      I keep cooking without any salt up to today.

       

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga iellen32

      Posted

      iellen, I too lost weight before my diagnosis, and have regained very little of it over the past 7 months.  I was very strict with myself from the very beginning, and a moderately high blood sugar reading made me even more careful.  Considering how abstemious I've been, especially the last few months, plus regular exercise, I'm actually surprised I've put on any weight - guess it must be the pred!
    • iellen32
      iellen32 Anhaga

      Posted

      Yes, more likely must be the Pred.

      On the other hand based on my own experience during these three years of GCA, cooking  with no salt at all, avoiding to add salt to salads, or whatever I prepare,  the size of the portions of anything I eat, being careful to avoid eating   - even a little after dinner, all this put together make a good difference on the scale.

      I drink tea  - green tea, or ginseng tea and look for diuretic vegetables and fruits like asparagus and canteloupe.

      OMG isn't something?! Patience, patience, patience, the mother of all virtues!

       

    • iellen32
      iellen32

      Posted

      Please, read 'red' meat....Sorry!
    • reggie92967
      reggie92967 iellen32

      Posted

      Thanks so much for the reply & information. Starting back to my walking routine today. I know the bloat, weight gain, moonface, is part of prednisone treatment & diet/exercise will not counteract these side-effects completely.
    • Elijo
      Elijo reggie92967

      Posted

      But it will help!  We can't let ourseslves go!  Yes, my face has "filled out" but everyone says I look good.  (wrinkles are filled out! Ha!)  My face does get quite red, does anyone else's face become red frequently?   I don't need to wear any blush, veryi little make up, just some lipstick!
    • iellen32
      iellen32 Elijo

      Posted

      Yes, me too - it' s rosacea!

      It's worse if I eat spicy food, or chocolate though.

    • Elijo
      Elijo iellen32

      Posted

      Another excellent diuretic veg are cucumbers, scant calories, too.  You can cut them up in a salad,  and I like to cut them in strips and snack on them--also  good for my urge to chew.
    • iellen32
      iellen32 Elijo

      Posted

      Yes, didn't mention - love and use them , too!

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