Posted 3/22/2013 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Some people can gain weight and others don't. It's the steroids that they use to help with the inflammation. As to how quickly a person would gain it varies from person to person.
If you're having only a few injections you shouldn't have a problem with gaining weight. You may feel more hungry, and you should try to stay away from carbs and sweets.
If a person like me, takes steroids on a daily basis, the possibility of gain weight is higher. I've been on oral steroids daily at a dose of about 20-25 mgs on average, but have been as high as 100 mgs on rare occasions for almost 12 years. Over the 12 years I've gained a total of 58 pounds. I've tried to watch my diet and exercise as much as I can, but I've accepted that it's just one of the side effects of steroids. If my dosage is increased then I pay attention to not over eat with candy, cakes, cookies, and ice cream. I also crave warm bread with butter which are a big NO NO too. Soda is a huge problem for me, so I allow myself one soda w/o caffeine per day. I know if I deprive myself of something I'll eventually fall off the wagon and over indulge in those bad things.
Try not to worry to much about the weight gain, the potential benefits from the ESI, to me out weigh the possibility of gaining a couple of pounds. I like you am overweight and really can't afford to gain extra weight, I just recently stopped taking a new drug for my lupus, and it causes weight gain. I had put on 20 pounds (this is in addition to the 58 I've already gained) in the past 30 days. However, I've stopped the medication and I've lost 13 pounds in the past 10 days.
So just try to eat a healthy diet and do some light exercise IF your Dr approves it and give the shots a try.
Hugs,
Barbara