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PREDNISONE QUESTIONS

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Posted 5/11/2009 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
So my GI tells me today that he wants me to take short course of Prednisone. I know this sounds bad but I'm very scared about the weight gain. I am thin but work very hard to be that way. It does not come naturally. (healthy diet and 6 days a week at the gym when I am not in to much pain to do so) I am wondering if anyone has sussesfully kept the extra weight off. Is it possible to not gain the weight if you eat healthy and keep up the excersize? What does it mean that fat distribution can be affected? Any tips on keeping the weight off? Thanks
Posted 5/11/2009 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
With a short course of prednisone you probably won't get fat redistribution that is something that generally happens with long term use and it means belly fat and sometimes a hump on the back of your neck.
I lost 55 pounds during my first ever 8 month stint on prednisone simply by following a reasonable diet and not exersizing at all because I was on pred for RA. 30 mgs at first then down to 20-10-5-2.5 most of the 8 months was on 5 mgs with an occasional day when I took 10 mgs because I was in pain.
It isn't easy to lose weight on pred but it is possible.
Posted 5/11/2009 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on 2, 5-week tapers of Prednisone over the past year. 20mgs to start with then tapering to 5mg/day for a week. I didn't gain a pound. If anything, I lost weight due to feeling better and the increased amount of energy!
Posted 5/12/2009 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
As long as you keep up your healthy diet and exercise you shouldn't gain any wieght... But keeping up that diet will be hard; I could and a full meal and be starving an hour or so afterward... My appetite was crazy when I was on it (but I was a 100lb male at the time so I ate alot and starting doin some weights and welcomed the 40lbs I put on while on it)
Posted 5/12/2009 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Should be interesting to see if a short-term course of pred will even have any impact on your symptoms let alone any side-effects.  Even on a regular course of pred doesn't mean you'll necessarily have weight gain as a side effect, the only side effect I ever got from pred was a little acne on my back.

:)
Posted 5/12/2009 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
tallgirl, I was also worried about gaining weight, as I used to also work out 6 days a week.  I'm actually on prednisone for crohn's related arthritis, so I've been hurting too bad to work out.  I guess being in good shape to start with really helped because I haven't gained any weight, but I can tell I've lost some muscle and gained some fat.  But, it's also been 5 months since I've been able to work out much and 5 months on pred (low dose). 

Posted 5/12/2009 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on prednisone for about 2 months and at first of it sucked like 1st couple days but now it's like I just take it and that's it I barely feel any sideeffects or weight gain. Only thing is I'm super skinny with a plump face LOL ( moon face)
Posted 5/12/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, and it will take the attitude that you have to do so, you have got to want it.

The g.i. doctors I have had all tell me the same thing, you can't build muscle mass on prednisone, but I see the results, and I am doing it.

If I am able to workout 3-5 days a week, I can maintain an ideal weight of 165lbs. I am 5'8, 35yrs old.

I also have to watch my diet, mainly fat, since pred will cause your body to absorb fat much more easily than it will absorb protein.

My goal is also to put on muscle mass too, so I really NEED to eat lots of protein.

I am currently at 179lbs, but have only been back in the gym the past few weeks due to a gallbladder surgery.

If I don't work out, exercise, and watch my diet, then I will weigh close to 200lbs. from taking pred.
Posted 5/12/2009 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys I feel much better knowing that it may be hard but I can do it.
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