Weight Gain

Posted , 12 users are following.

I'm so disgusted with myself. I just weighed myself and found that I gained 7 more pounds. I'm still on 18 mg of Prednisone and can't seem to go any lower without a GCA flare up.  I've never had a weight problem because I've always been able to be active.  Uh. I just don't know how to handle seeing this overweight person in the mirror full of red spots from the Prednisone. Maybe I need a shrink. Ha ha. I wish "I"could shrink!

I hope you all are having a better mental day than I am! Thanks for letting me vent. 

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  • Posted

    Pam, I am so sorry that you are so discouraged.  I've been there, done that and worn out the T shirt (I think I am on my third) but has it occurred to you that the person you now see in the mirror is ill?  You have a chronic condition and are unwell, and I really think you should go and see if you can find yourself a lot of TLC.  Be kind to yourself.  It isn't the fault of 'yourself' that you have this sneaky, nasty condition.

    The only kind of diet which seems to be effective with PMR/GCA and it's companion is a low-carb one, but of course the steroids (for most patients) make you crave the very things you need to cut out.  It can be done and if the steroids are giving you problems with fluid retention (which is what happens to me) then a word with your doctor or the practice nurse would be in order.

    I have half a coffee cake left to eat between now and Sunday, then that's it.  I'm going to see just how much weight I can lose during January.  Now, where did I put that cake.............

     

    • Posted

      I have had fluid retention since starting pred. I have mentioned it to my GP, rheumatologist and vascular surgeon and they just shrug and say it is the pred. My GP also said you should not mix water tablets and pred anyway. What else can you do, the suggestions I have is keep your feet elevated. I have said that is not always possible when you are working at a computer!
    • Posted

      I found manual lymph drainage sorted my feet and legs out wonderfully. Even while still taking Medrol (vile stuff that it was). With Lodotra I haven't had the same problem strangely - no puffy face at all.

    • Posted

      Oh - a PS: I always retain fluid after eating carbs. As much as 3 or 4 pounds.
    • Posted

      Manual lymph drainage did not work for me at all. Mind you I did have that strange witch woman doing it who thought she was God's gift. I am lucky and never had a puffy face, although I really went to town on cutting out gluten and simple carbs and would not touch them, although I do now occasionally have the odd chocolate, but initially I was incredibly rigid, however the fluid retention started pretty well immediately, I started pred. I was aware my calves were getting larger when I was in bed. 

    • Posted

      I hope you found the cake! I've been sending all our Christmas goodies with my husband to bring to his buddies at work.  I just had to get it out of the house because I have zero control at this time.  Uh.  So difficult. 

      And, you are so correct. Accepting that we have this nasty desease and being kind to ourselves is huge.  Thank you for the reminder! Hugs to you and everyone!

  • Posted

    I'm interested to hear how many people have trouble giving up carbs when on pred.  I was given a bit of a pre-diabetes scare early on so basically gave up all but the occasional scone or sweet.  Emphasis on occasional.  Being underweight I substituted high calorie foods, like nuts and eggs.  It's possible that by consuming more healthy fats you may find your appetite satisfied and end up eating less and craving carbs less?  Good luck!  

    • Posted

      I have never been that fond of sweet things, although for Christmas my godson gave me a box of Florentines that are to die for. The good news is they are mini ones, the bad news is there are twelve of them, going down in number fast! I am trying to stick to a maximum of two a day. 
    • Posted

      Yes, my sweet tooth is very easily satisfied, just a mouthful of something sweet is all I ever want.  But I seem to have had no appetite for a couple of years.  I don't know if this is really a good thing.

  • Posted

    Holidays are the worst for me with all the goodies around. I can gain 5 pounds just looking at cheesecake or my favorite - Malley's Chocolate from Ohio.  I hate it too.  I used to be so fit, bodybuilding, jogging 4 miles, always active doing something.  Per Eileen PMR changes the way we metabolize food, but it doesn't help we can't do what we did to the level we did before Sheesh.  I also don't like how people look at you and have all these ideas for how you can go on this diet or join this boot camp. They don't understand the disease and don't really listen when it is explained to them.  They see a healthy person who is out of control. That annoys me the most.  I've told my own husband so many times it is driving me nuts to stop buying the fats and sweets, that my diet is lean meats, fish, veggies and fruits.  I AM glad I was able to hike/climb hills here in L.A. yesterday. Loved that, and was able to ignore the cookies all day. I'm with you!

  • Posted

    It's horrid isn't it! As the others have said - cutting the carbs does help a lot.But remember -  the person inside is still exactly the same. And that is what really matters.

    As for xmas weight gain - I can recommend the cold my dear husband brought back from the doctor's surgery to put you off food ...

    • Posted

      Eileen, I have seen your posts that lo carb helped you to lose the Prednisone weight. Did you actually count carbs and if so what level of carbs is low enough to achieve success?  Also what are your thoughts regarding the anti inflammatory diets. They are ultimately low carb but do they help in themselves at all with PMR pain reduction?   Eating well can't hurt anyone I realize but I do wonder if you've read about or know from all your research if there is any direct affect to this illness. 

    • Posted

      No not really - after a lifetime of science and medicine I know where the carbs are! I did find a blog called the Diabetic Mediterranean Diet blog by Steve Parker who is a doctor very useful. I eat large amounts of salads and above-ground veg, meat and other protein. He says less than 50g utilisable carbs - but I think it does vary a bit. That's a lot of salad...

      I don't know that the fancy diets are any better than identifying which foods trigger your symptoms - everyone is different. I think Flip in Australia had really good results with an antiinflammatory diet but found it hard to stick to long term. I've tried cutting nightshades, alcohol, carbs - none of them make any difference to the PMR! So I just cut ALL processed carbs most of the time - but if I want a pizza I have one (I do live in Italy!). If I eat carbs I just don't lose weight - too many and I gain!

  • Posted

    I have to laugh ( w you not at you). My husband gave me a smart shirt for Xmas. Fitted smart shirt. Size 16. Had to return for an 18 non'fitted' shirt today. Blooming depressing. I too am going to cut out carbs completely in January.

    I have never looked so b a d.

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