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Prednisone and moon face

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Posted 1/14/2010 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I could show you guys what my face looked like after 6 weeks on 120mg daily of pred. It was huge and my eyes were nearly invisible...I am not exagerating at all. I stayed at that dose for a very long time and became extremely toxic. I've been on steroids for 10 years, often at very high doses...but when I come off the moon face goes fairly quickly.

As others have said...other side effects are permanent. But, for me, it's a life or death thing! My particular case has been very resistant to other drugs.

**Lynnwood made a very important point!*** Going off your prednisone without your doc monitoring can be deadly! My adrenal glands have quit functioning from constantly being on really high doses for extended periods. I had an adrenal crisis last year in the hospital and came close to death. My b/p got down to 50/20. Please be careful!
Posted 1/15/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I am with Judy....My eyes became slits and when I smiled they looked close. I could see my cheeks just looking forward and my face got so round on my chin area, i couldnt even see to shave under my armpits. People that I hadnt seen for awhile do not even recognize me any more. It got bad with side effects but it has saved my life. I still have a pretty big face but at least i don't see my cheaks anymore.

Lynnwood and MJLD made a great point.....have a doc monitor you. It can be deadly just stopping without doctors supervision.
Posted 1/15/2010 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I too have a huge moon face from all the steroids I take. People can tell I'm on them, not only do I have the moon face, but I've got the round and big tummy, a hump on my back at the top of the neck next to the back. I bruise easily, it's made me very immuno suppressed and my skin has become thinner. I've been on prednisone for 9 1/2 years now at varying dosages. Try not to fret to much over the moon face will go away as you taper your pred. Make sure you consult with your doctor before tapering off it. I hope you're feeling better and please keep us posted.

Love,
Barbara
Posted 4/5/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Question: I'm back on prednisone after ending up in the hospital with a blockage. They gave it to me IV in the hospital and had me leave taking 15 mg a day for a week because I didn't want to even take it because of all the side effects. I also had my second remicade infusion a week ago. For the past week I was going to the bathroom normally, but then I started to feel blocked again. Now my doctor wants me to take 60 mg for 4 days, then 55 for 4 days, etc... I've taken it before and developed a moonface and fear the same will happen this time. How long and how much of a dose causes that. The prednisone has already enduced mania. Would it be better to do 40 mg a day for 4 days and taper from there?
Posted 4/5/2010 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! If I where in your case, I would listen to your doctors. The moon face will go away. You might get a small one but since you won't be on that dose for a long period of time it will go away pretty quickly IF you get one.
Posted 4/5/2010 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know anything about "blockage" and prednisone - doesn't quite sound like a lupus symptom.

In general, the moon face goes away when you finish the med, and if you drink plenty of fluids and stay away from bad carbs (bread, sugar, etc).

I vote with Amy -- do what your doctors say!! They have their reasons, ya' know!
Posted 10/5/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure if this is still going im new to it but i used to be on a really high dosage of steroids for a really long time. my moon face was the worst! but its gone now... im at the age now where appearance is everything, going out with friends etc. howeever i have just been put on 5mg of pred and although its a small dose id like to know ill develop moon face again?..
thanks. sophie.
Posted 10/6/2010 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
such a small dose isn't likely to cause moon face but it has in some people just so you are forwarned. don't let that stop you taking it tho. you need to listen to your doctors no matter how it makes you look because beating this disease is more important than looks. Just FYI you might want to start a new post next time if it has been more than a week or so since the last post to a thread.
Posted 10/9/2010 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I think everyone is different. My cousin had kidney failure and then a transplant and was on pred often and her face always swelled up and I have taken it for several weeks and it didn't cause my face to swell. I did gain weight over all but that was because I wasn't careful enough about what I ate and it seemed like the only way to keep the nausea away was to snack. Won't make that mistake again. I would say don't worry about it but I worry about it too. Good luck.
Posted 1/14/2011 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the post today with the picture!!  My daughter has been on prednisone for almost 2 years and will begin to be taken off in April.  She began with several weeks of high IV doses and has been on 10mg daily since.  I was searching the internet to find information as to what we could expect. She is 18 and a freshmanin college, and so far compared to what I am reading, has had minimal side effects.  Fortunately, she did not get the huge moon face or gain any weight, (which she worked at) Her clothing size did change a bit because everything thing shifted to her middle.  Prior to the medication she was in exteremly great shape, cheered tumbled, and ran track.  What I am really wondering is how quickly will she begin to notice changes in her body going back to more of what she considers normal...more ready for summer bathing suits. ( She would not put one on last summer.)

If anyone has any thoughts please let me know!


Thanks!

ashmom

Post Edited (Ashmom) : 1/14/2011 2:32:50 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/16/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)

Hi! Tammy,

I am back up to 20mgs on top of my daily 5 mgs, have asthma, too. I have to giggle about the moon face issue because I was born with one, tongue   and even after almost 15 years of chronic/maintenance/high dose taper prednisone use, I really haven't noticed a change in my round face. I keep putting off transitioning to cellcept, but my bone density scans keep getting worse, so I see my rheumy in April and I am going to try taking it. I have read really good things about it, and prednisone scares me, but when I take it, I have balance, can breathe, don't fall and can think clearly, so I am abit hesitant to stop taking it.

hugs,

suetoo

Posted 1/16/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
    

  Hi everyone!!

    I'm new to the forum but I have been reading a lot of what other people with lupus go through.  I was diagnosed after having my daughter in 2005 and just had my son in july.  I was recently put on 20 mg of prednisone and skull methotrexate.  Both of these drugs are dangerous but I've been on them before.  I have weaned down to 10mg of prednisone.  I gain a wopping 45lbs.  I know its alot.  My pain during the winter is horrific to the point of wanting to die.  I made a commitment to myself to monitor my triggers in my diet to get off these drugs.  This is a full time job, to be conscious of what you eat all the time.  Also, stress triggers.  I believe the doctors help but most of the work is our responsibility.  Just because we can't see the destruction doesn't mean its not happening.  I have moon face, moon gut, moon butt and the whole nine.  I believe my recent decision to change my life and bring awareness to others will truley make a difference.

Posted 3/31/2011 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi :)

i was diagnosed with the nephrotic syndrome and was put on prednisones 60mg/day for almost 6 months... :( i really hate what it has done to me... well thankfully enough im now able to cut down to 7.5mg/day. would the moon face effect ware off?? as ive read in the forums that usually at 10mg and below the moon face usually gets less but mine do not seem to get any better. Or would i have to completely stop prednisones to be able to rid of the moon face?
Posted 3/31/2011 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
It takes a while for the face to slim down but it will do it. I noticed a difference just going down from 15mg, so I'm sure you'll see a difference coming down from 60mg. Make sure you drink enough water and try to avoid the bad carbs - you know, the breads & snack foods.

I think it took 6-8 months for mine.
Posted 6/13/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Wow I really wish I had taken before and after pics of my moon face. I have a few horrible pictures of myself when i failed to get away from the camera in time.
Posted 1/31/2012 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
         Hi I'm new to this forum thing but I have some questions. I was diagnosed with Lupus about two years ago and had finally started to get it under control with plaqunil and cellcept. But about two months ago I went into adrenal failure and ended up in the hospital for a week until the doctors diagnosed me with secondary Addisons Disease as a result from my Lupus and after that the Lupus also went into a really bad flare up that we havent been able to get under control yet. I'm 22 and on disability and have days when I can hardly get out of bed. I've always been an extremely active person. I'm a bartender and I love my job so I'm really going crazy.

         But my questions is this: Has anyone with Lupus had the problem with Prednisone making the Lupus worse? I was on Prednisone about a year ago, my doc put me on 15mg for 5 days, 10mg for 5 days and then 5 mg for 5 days and it seemed to work. A couple months later I was on a 5mg maintence dose which also seemed to work. After being diagnosed with Addisons, I've been put on 40mg of Prednisoe a day to control my adreanal system. Aside from having terrible swelling in my face, my knees, feet and hands have started to swell which just makes them hurt worse.

          I don't know what to do, I feel like I have to be on the steroid for the Addisons and I thought it would be helpful for the Lupus as well but the swelling caused by it seems to be making it worse, has anyone else ever had this problem?

           Also, the "moon face" is driving me crazy. I know it sounds vein and shallow but I can't stand to look in the mirror. Through the years the one thing I've been able to hold onto when it comes to what my body is doing is the fact that no one can look at me and know there's anything wrong. I can "pretend" to be normal, pretend there's nothing wrong and now I can't. Has anyone found any help in getting rid or making the moons face less noticable.

Any pointers are helpful...

 thanks

 L

Posted 1/31/2012 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Are you on any diaretics (sp?) for the fluid retention?
I swell something terrible and my doctor put me on lasix 2 times a day. Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to take. I don't know if you can take them with the Addisons or not so get your doctor's okay.
Posted 1/31/2012 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I asked my Endo. about it but he said because the Addisons is already flushing my body of any and all electrolights he's afraid diaretics would just make it worse. :/

L
Posted 1/31/2012 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I've never really heard of Prednisone making anything swell - the moon face is not a swelling as much as it is a change in metabolism that leaves more fluid in the facial areas.

Have you & your Dr experimented a little to see if it isn't something else causing the joint swelling? I'm thinking that it's probably from your lupus flaring rather than from prednisone...that would be more consistent with how the rest of us react.
Posted 1/31/2012 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
I actually do retain fluid on the higher doses or prednisone. It is not common but it does happen. I will get pitting edema in my feet, legs, and knees. Sometimes fluid in my arms as well.

If you have pitting edema, you need to mention it to your doctor as that can cause your BP to be high. If it is swelling from lupus, maybe you can try to add a anti inflammatory which should help with the swelling and pain.

I know what you mean about the moon face and not wanting to look in the mirror. I got an awful moon face. I am finally coming off prednisone and it is slowly going down. After 3 years...So don't lose hope. It will come down. Make sure you don't cave to the prednisone cravings. Try to eat healthy foods and limit sugars!!
Posted 1/31/2012 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
@Happyman & many others. I found this site when researching the infamous moon face. I can't thank you enough for all of your encouragement and support. Happyman I like you have the long slender face in days of old it seems now. :( I've been waiting and waiting for this moon face/extra facial hair (females don't tend to look great with this stuff lol) extreme dry skin and brittle nails and I can't say for sure if my weight gain is totally from Prednisone or Lyrica all I know is I have went from 118 to 157 and I don't eat much nor have my eating habits changed. I was diagnosed with Lupus (finally) Jan 31 wow today is it's bday! but anyway it was in Feb of last year they put me on 60mg of Prednisone and it was a very long long taper - one because I can't come down 10mg at a time and two because it was the first time a doctor cared enough to go one blood test further to find I have the SLE Lupus. It's been a year and still I have the moonface/weight/dry skin/facial hair -- I can deal with everything except this gullet that looks like a big croak is going to come out at any minute. I'm not vain but I won't put myself in social situations anymore because I am so embarrassed of myself and what I have become to the human eye. In my eyes it reflects a person who doesn't take care of herself as I have always taken pride in as many of you have of staying fit and eating well etc. I so want this to go away. I have had to have treatments usually starting at 30mgs and down off and on since but I've been prednisone free for at least 2 months now and nothing is changing. They still haven't found a med that agrees with me to use ie methotrexate, plaquenil (sp) and a couple others oh cellcept and one more. Do we all have to find that med because I pray I'm not running out of choices esp when I've had this most of my life (early teens) and finally after a 3 year journey to find out why so much pain and not accepting just "fibro" as my diagnosis my rheumatologist pulled the next step blood test because she knew 5 false positives had to equal a positive in there somewhere and she was right. Here we are though a year later and I have all the trophies still of my prednisone use that gave me these symptoms in Feb last year still with me. I haven't found the magical med that will help me with the flares yet and though I'm frustrated it sure would be nice to manage a few rewards for my good behavior through all this and lose the moonface - the weight - I can work on the other things and deal with them but due to not knowing I had Lupus I lost all my teeth at 25 sadly (I'm 42) so these blows Lupus and its little friends keep throwing at me ie Lupus' friend Prednisone - I just want to feel somewhat pretty to myself enough to go out and not be so ashamed of how I look. I am only 5' TALL lol so if you can imagine I'm waiting for me to tip my teapot over too far and take to rolling down the streets - croaking like those huge bullfrogs at the intersections so as not to get hit because I know and learned from looney toons that even if you get run over and squished you pop back out and its all the same as it was before you got run over. When oh when will this go away - is it all the prednisone or is lyrica playing a role in this somehow? I want to look like Happyface and return to who I knew when I looked in the mirror instead of looking for haircuts and color that match round fat faces and my bullfrog croaker - black & green are starting to sound like good hair colors although my brother who is as honest as I ask him to be said please not another bob it only makes the face look rounder. All I can ask is why is it taking so long to go away and why does mine not go away if I am not on prednisone or once the taper is over? Feeling hopeless in a cartoon gone wrong. rolleyes
Posted 5/1/2015 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Is anybody reading these anymore? The post are all several years old. Anyway, I just joined and I have something to share!! I am also taking Prednisone due to Lupus. Just started on a 60mg/day dose and told I will have to be on this dose for up to three months. Yikes!! So, I have been researching the dreaded 'Moonface' because I too am a little vain, as I don't want a fat face!! I have been on 5-10mg/day for the last year or more and I have lost 30+lbs! I will tell you how and what I just learned in my anti-moonface research. First of all I went Vegan a year ago in December and that started the weight dropping without even trying or going hungry. (I also did not exercise) That's how the low dose did not bother me. Now starting on the 60mg/day, skull , yeah that's how I feel, like I'm taking poison. Anyway, I just listened to a Youtube about eating vegan to stave off the moonface. LOW FAT and LOW SALT! That's the ticket!! I'm so happy since I already eat this way, or try too. I will do better now knowing this. This means no more french fries, chips or any processed foods nono !! OK, good luck to you all. I hope this word gets out! Eat clean and be happy!
Posted 6/27/2015 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone can definitely have a big impact on appearance which effects self esteem. I started on Prednisone is August 2014 at 50mg daily at 115lbs. I was on 50 for several months, then tapered down to 40 then 30 etc. Currently I have made it down to 5mg. My highest weigh while being on the prednisone was 155lbs.  As the dose decreased, I noticed weight also started to decrease. I am currently at 140lbs and my moon face and acne is completely gone. Trust me it takes time, but the horrible effects of prednisone are temporary. Health wise I must say that I do feel great. :) 
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