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help on pred how do i not gain weight

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Posted 11/22/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Ok doc put me on pred. and i am 180lbs already.  I dont want to gain anymore weight.  I was thinking low carb is the way to go cause that is what i hear it messes with.  Does anyone know.  There was a time that i needed to weight gain and now i dont and dont know what to do I hate this drug.
Posted 11/22/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Low carbing certainly resilts in much less pred face and weight game for me (not that I tend to be a gainer, but I am speaking in comparison with previous experience) before I wa slow carb. I know they also say low sodium helps avoid pred face etc., but I really find low carb helps. Of course, I also low carb to help dampen my UC. Not a universal truth - diet like probiotics can be very individual- but for some of us sugary, refined carbs do increase symptoms as well as flare frequency and intensity.
Posted 11/22/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
You know not everyone gains wieght from the drug and if you do you can keep it to a minimal if you eat healthy and exercise. Its the ones that give into the hunger temptations,cravings, and eat poorly that put on some pounds. It does get your appetite going, but remember everytime you feel hungry you dont have to gorge yourself with cakes and pies and wash it down with a 2 liter of cola. Small healthy things can curb a hunger attack, even a glass of water can for a bit.
Posted 11/23/2008 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
     I guess I am one of the lucky ones who actually lose weight on prednisone.  However, I have been off the prednisone for three weeks and NOW I am gaining weight.  Go figure.  I realize that I haven't been getting the exercise that I normally enjoy during the warmer months, so that may be the culprit.  Have to start walking on the treadmill again.

     Stick to a low carb, low calorie diet and exercise.  That should do the trick.

Posted 11/23/2008 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
i m not on pred. but i cud tell u how i m able to control my weight gain. i m 140lbs, this after i hv suddenly put on more than 15lbs, infact i wanted to put on weight & those initial 10lbs took few months but once it took off there was no looking back, i was putting on 1lb at least in 4-5 days all of a sudden. first thing i did cut down on grains/flour intake - bread etc (not completely but yes reduced the amount) i increased fruits and salads. i get up early in morning and go for a walk (1.5 miles)-this walk we should breathe deep and walk fast, and dnt talk with friends while walking (i wanted to go jogging but m just not able to run :-( , i feel as if i will fall..my muscles ache) then i go for a walk after dinner again same 1.5 miles but this is slow and normal walk..
this help me to get down my weight from 143lbs to 140lbs, though the weight is not going further down but yes not increasing beyond 140lbs as well! have reduced my food bread - carbohydrates but still dnt feel weak!
Posted 11/23/2008 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I was successful at keeping pounds off while on prednisone. I tried to stay away from high sodium foods, which so many foods are very high in sodium. The food cravings were hard to stop, but I found that I hit the gym more regularly to combat this - put those pred spurts of energy to good use! I hope pred works for you and you have a successful, quick taper.
Posted 11/24/2008 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Low carb helps me, it's a good diet because if you're strict you can eat a lot and not gain weight (those hunger pangs can be relentless). But it is probably better not to eat too much cheese, unlike Atkins.
Posted 11/24/2008 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on prednisone for about 6 months now. My hunger increased a lot. I was able to combat the weight gain by drinking a lot of water, eating a bland diet, and exercising a lot. Also, don't eat right before you go to bed. I would eat about 4 hours before I went to sleep. When I am extremely hungry I eat rice cakes. They fill me up and are only 50 cal./ cake. Avoid salt and sugar, exercise, and get plenty of sleep and you should be fine.
Posted 11/24/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Check out Coping With Prednisone. It discusses how to eat healthy, exercise and avoid weight gain and other pred side effects:

http://www.amazon.com/Coping-Prednisone-Revised-Updated-Cortisone-Related/dp/0312375603/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227539114&sr=1-1
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