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Ways to curb hunger while on Prednisone??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/4/2009 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Good morning, everyone! about a month ago I was in a severe flare with vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme nausea. I couldn't eat and could only tolerate liquids. It's been a long road, but I am slowly getting better.

My Pred was increased, which I am sure contributes to the flare getting better, but my appetite is out of control! Does anyone have any suggestions/tips on how to curb your appetite while on higher doses of Pred? I could eat the house! I'll also eat when I am bloated, and then I make myself even more uncomfortable.

Thank you for any suggestions! Blessings, Julie
Posted 5/4/2009 8:15 PM (GMT 0)

On my last big flare I could eat everything in sight. Did and gained 60 POUNDS!

My only advice is lots of water and lots of exercise. The Pred will rob you of muscle as well as increase your appitite.

Dave D

Posted 5/4/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Dave! It's a viscious cycle, lol! I figured I wouldn't get many responses to this thread because most of us have been on Pred and don't know how to control their hunger either, lol! I guess I should be thankful that I'm not vomiting and am able to eat; however, my appetite is crazy! I will increase my water intake to see if that helps at all. It certainly can't hurt, and will be good for me. Blessings, Julie
Posted 5/4/2009 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not much help. I've never had much success but you could try the fruit Popsicle. At least they are good for you, not so much fiber, and lower in sugar and calories than other treats. I tend to go for salty things which just makes things worse! If you can handle fiber then go for the traditional things that fill up all the dieters, salad veggie stuff and fruit. But I can't tolerate any of that, so I am stuck with starch and protein which really adds to the problem.
Posted 5/4/2009 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Julie honey if you figure that out, can you let me knowsmile I will eat so much when I Pred that I almost get sick because I am so full. That stuff is crazy, but it works....
Posted 5/4/2009 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Suzanne, thank you so much for the suggestion. It is so funny to read your reply, because I just got home from the grocery store and bought fruit bars, lol!

Nanners, I am the same as you. I'll eat until I feel so full I'm about to explode! I guess I should feel thankful that the Pred is helping and is only temporary.....

Now, what to have for dinner.....LOL!!
Blessings, Julie
Posted 5/5/2009 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Eat things high in protein and fiber and you will feel full longer. My friend was on pred for asthma and was able to get prescribed an appetite supressant. I don't know if that was the drugs main purpose or if it was prescribed off label. I don't know if they would do that for crohns though. Also, when I was on prozac (not for depression, for pain) my appetite was very supressed. Maybe you could see about going on a low dose.
Posted 5/5/2009 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Try and avoid as much salty foods (and added salt on your food) as possible, drink lots of water (or other healthy fluids, chamomile tea, ect) try not to eat junky or take-out (which is usually loaded with salt and sugar), exercise with cardio at least 30 minutes/day 3X/week (following these tips if you're a CDer that tends to have some overweight issues can also be a huge benefit) ans watch your carb intake, pastas that aren't whole wheat and same with breads (try and avoid white).

:)
Posted 5/5/2009 11:21 AM (GMT 0)

I like the fruit pop idea. As for 'salty' foods I like to get "popcorn' flavored rice cakes. They are easy to digest and only about 35 calories. So you can have 2 for a snack and only have 70 calories. Exercise is important - I suggest long walks. It takes up time where you cant be eating, burns calories and also helps you relax. (Being on pred always makes me very 'moody.' When I am on the pred I really try 'mind over matter' concerning the food/hunger. I take small bites, eat slowly and try to enjoy what I am eating so I feel somewhat satisfied. (Eating slow will also help with digestion.)

Good luck.

Posted 5/5/2009 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Wow...the million dollar question...if you figure it out you'd be Rich, Rich I tell you. shocked
Hmmm...I use the prednisone for me and work out...you don't feel as sore...you can work out longer and harder, just look at all those pro athletes...they take a course of prednisone after a serious injury and back out a day or two later?
Oh yeah...I do lots of protein...Peanuts (PB4...FresH & Easy has some decent nuts & other "healthier" kinda things...not sure if you have these in your area)...other nuts without too much salt...fish.
Posted 5/5/2009 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I just vent with the flow and gained 40 pounds in 3 months hehe.

But next time I will just have a carrot to snack on where ever I go :P
Or something super healthy..

I had to eat 24/7 on pred otherwise my tummy would hurt so bad don't know what it is called in English but I got swollen and I had really bad heartburn :S
Posted 5/5/2009 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Wish I had the answer for you. I tried to keep healthy snack foods around me, so that when I ate at least it wasn't bad for me. But the problem I found was that I was craving all those bad for me things! It was like I really didn't have much control over it. I gained 20 pounds unfortunately.

But I felt GREAT!! So even though I hated those 20 pounds, I wish I could feel like that every day. I felt like I did pre-Crohn's.
Posted 5/6/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't fight the Pred eating compulsion. It was crazy: eat a meal and 15min later I could eat *another* full meal, 20min later my body told me it was hungry *again*. When I was at 60mg of Pred, I gained 50# in about 3mo. It was awful, it really messed with my back and joints to carry that much weight. I wore scrub-pants (cheap, at $8-$10/pair) and I was so *hot* all the time, I didn't wear a coat whenever I was outside all winter.
I tried drinking water whenever I would feel hungry. It only worked minimally (as the 50# attests) for me.
heidi
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