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Prednisone Questions (I'm NEW!!!)...

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Posted 8/8/2008 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure alot of you have taken predinisone at some point in your lives for CD...i just got diagnosed and im on 40mg a day for 2 weeks and then I will get weaned off..so i'll be on it a total of 5 to 6 weeks. I know it's supposed to help me get better and that i need to take it, but i'm freeking out about the weight gain!!! as vain as that sounds..i know it's stupid, but i just don't want to deal with the stress of people asking me why i got bigger and whatever...im not sure i if i will gain alot of weight being on it for a short period of time..and im totally watching what i eat, not eating alot, and cutting back on sodium a ton!! i was just wondering if some of you can share ur experiences with prednisone because I know everyone reacts to it differently and some people dont even gain that much weight...it would just be nice to know what i should expect my body to look like in a few weeks! also does staying active help? i'm a cheerleading coach and i go to the gym all the time and run and lift weights..i was hoping that may help to! any advice or insight would be great!!!!!!
Posted 8/8/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your lifestyle should keep your weight in check. for me, any weight gain caused by prednisone was overwritten by weight loss from the whole not-absorbing-food thing... and my lifestyle is as sedentary as it gets.
Posted 8/8/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 40 mg of pred since May 29th 08, I just got knocked down to 30mg a week ago. I've gained 12lbs and my face looks like a big fat moon!! I have been so hungry since I started the pred, not sure that you can control that or not. I'm sure if you stay active and try not to eat everything in site that will help with the weight gain. I know I can't wait to get off of mine!! Good luck!
Posted 8/8/2008 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I can feel your pain! From past experience, let me just say to remember that "this, too, shall pass" and be kind to yourself. The exercise and healthy lifestyle you're living will definately pay off. You will get back to your normal self. Nurture yourself!
Posted 8/8/2008 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on prednisone a couple of times and I didn't gain any weight until this last time (probably because I've been on it for about 7 months this time). Otherwise I just got the puffy cheeks before.

Posted 8/8/2008 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I was so worried about gaining weight that I nearly stopped eating completely...not a good idea! I had no side effects from pred except hyperness and some odd rashes.
Posted 8/8/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
The first time I was on Prednisone I was ravenous all the time but it was right after I had my resection so I had to be extremely careful with what I ate.  The second time I made sure I had healthy snacks available and ready to go and then just didn't eat meals.  Just took a handful of whatever to curb my appetite.  I only gained a few pounds. 

I was really surprised just how hungry I got.  It was unbelieveable along with the mood swings. 

Hint:  Never tell your teenage children when you are on pred.  During my up swing they talked me into getting a new computer and cell phones for them.  I had been telling them no for years.  I was such a push-over.  :-)

Posted 8/8/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
good advice thanks!!!!!!! im guessing if i eat healthy, stay active, dont give into those urges to eat, and avoid the sodium, i'll only gain a couple pounds if that!!!! thanks for calming my nerves!!!
Posted 8/8/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on steroids several times and never gained weight. I'm a pretty active person, but often if I am sick enough to take steroids, I even take a break from working out and still don't gain weight. My face does get round (a big, albeit vain, issue for me) and if I am on it for over 5-6 months I start to lose hair. Oh, and I keep a watch out for facial hair if it's longer than a couple months.

Everybody responds differently, so don't get too worried yet! Best wishes!!!
Posted 8/8/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was on it for about 6 wks. I only gained about 5 lbs. I knew it would make me hungery so I really watched what I ate, no junk food.
Posted 8/8/2008 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was on it for 8 months during which I lost 55 lbs (the loss not related to the pred). So, it is possible to control your weight on pred but much harder.
Posted 8/8/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I was on it for about 15 months and yes I ate got fat and had all the sideeffects but I'am off it now you are only going to be on it for a short while so try not to worry too much. lol gail
Posted 8/9/2008 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
I eat like a homeless person, but dont put on weight, other than the bloated belly, which comes and goes. You sound very active, so I wouldnt worry too much. Good luck. Jo
Posted 8/9/2008 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have a love/hate relationship with prednisone. I love it because it makes me feel better and essentially gives me my life back, but can't stand it b/c I do gain weight and get a puffy face. I've been on and off of prednisone so much the past two years that I don't even know what I'm really supposed to look like. In the past I've always relapsed after tapering off the roids, so just as I'm starting to slim down I get puffy all over again.

I have learned to deal with it (though it has been tough), and have ultimately decided that feeling better and getting my life back (being able to exercise, not having to worry about accidents, being "normal") is more important than being puffy. It took me almost two years to get to this point, and it'll come to you with time.

Check out my blog, it documents my love/hate relationship with prednisone as well as my life with Crohn's. Good Luck and please keep us posted!
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