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How much prednisone will make you gain weight

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Posted 6/23/2010 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
So after the trip to the rheumatologist today, he wants to put me on 10 mg of pred, down to 7.5 and then down to 5 mg and see him.

Will three weeks make me gain weight???? Anything I can do to avoid weight gain. I already weigh way too much....... I don't know what to do. He said the next step was chemo and I think I'd rather take the chemo drugs. I am only 5 3 and weight 210.
Posted 6/23/2010 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't gain any weight on 10mg of pred. I was on it for 4 months and I actually was able to lose weight on that dose. I am currently on 40mg down from 60mg and tomorrow will start 30mg for 2 weeks. i have gained 12lbs but most of it is in my face. everyone tels me that it looks like i have been to the dentist. So i just let them think what they want. I am very self conscious about my weight and this is been very trauamtic for me. But i think of what i went through and i would take the pred. i can't wait to c 10mg again but i hav a while b4 i get there. Tapering evry 3 weeks. Hopes this helps, but everyone is different.
Posted 6/23/2010 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear your experience wasn't too awful on the prednisone. I hope you do well with the taper too and can stay on the lower dose.

God, I don't think I could stand even 5 lbs. my weight has just gone through the roof this year with my thyroid being too low and the inactivity from joint pain and fatigue. I know what you mean about trauma!!!! Whew!!! If I feel better, I hope I can get back to exercising more. I already swim an hour a day. My rheumy said I'll only gain weight if I eat too much. LOL.... Last year when I got colitis so bad, I was sick for 10 weeks, couldn't eat and lost only 3 lbs..... I guess now that I am better I am making up for lost time. I've never gained weight like this in my life and now the prednisone!!

I sure wish there was something alternative that worked for these diseases.
Posted 6/23/2010 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
I think you should be fine on the 10 mg of pred. If you do start craving things, i would recommend drinking a glass of water when you have the cravings and then if you are still "hungry" eat some fruits and vegies. Of course, that won't be the things you are craving so you need to trick your mind. I was one of the many that gained 80 pds in 3-4 months being on pred but it was from IV's of pred and then followed by 60 mg for months! Let us know how it goes for you :)

What is the name of the chemo your doctor was talking about?
Posted 6/23/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I believe he was talking about methotrexate and 6-MP, those are also chem agents-:)
Posted 6/24/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Although it is true that pred does change your metabolism and that some people gain a lot of weight I gained 0 lbs after being on 60mg for many months.  I have been on pred for 5 years now and weigh the same as I did at 16 ( I am 67 now).  Too many patients continue to eat normally when they are ill, have lost muscle mass, and are much less active than before getting sick.  In addition many actually eat more due to the tremendous stress of their disease.  I am not saying this as criticism but clinically what might be happening. 

Adjust your eating habits.  Eat less calories.  Reduce carbs, particularly simple carbs.  Exercise as much as you can.  Don't just accept the canard that you will gain massive amounts of weight on pred....not true. 

Bill

Posted 6/24/2010 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Bill is correct, it isn't a given that you'll gain weight. However, prednisone does change your metabolism and so does becoming less active if you were formerly active. Prednisone does make a lot of us crave those empty comforting calorie-laden items with sugar and white flour....DON"T DO IT!

I think if we start out knowing that there are pitfalls to watch out for we're a lot better off...forewarned is forearmed, and we can watch out for bad eating. I know when I felt sickest I had NO APPETITE for anything at all good for me, I only wanted coke, bread, and comfort food.

When I force down lean protein and vegetables and fruits rather than breads, sugars, and soft drinks I feel better and don't gain as much weight. Two great benefits!

One thing prednisone does do is change how the fluids in your body act. It is very very common to get a "puffed face", but it isn't really weight gain and will go away with decreased prednisone dosage and exercise.

Three weeks at less than 10 mg shouldn't have much effect, esp. if you don't eat "anything white". And you should feel better!!
Posted 6/24/2010 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
The moon face, prednisone belly and camels hump that high dose, long term users of prednisone experience is not weight gain or water.  It is a redistribution of fat and it will go away as you taper down or off prednisone.  Takes a while and although one of the disturbing effects it is harmless and reversible.  There are several very serious side effects from long term pred use but that is not one of them.

Bill

Posted 6/24/2010 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Moon face happens at lower doses of 15 mg as well. There are slightly different effects between men and woman, mainly due to hormonal differences, but also affected by different muscle/fat ratios.
Posted 6/24/2010 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
I can't wait to find out!!! LOL..... I gain weight for no reason now, perhaps the reverse will happen with the prednisone! I can always pipe dream, right?
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