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Side effects of prednisone

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Posted 5/15/2014 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, today I just started the prednisone 30 mg and my doctor advised me to go down 5 mg every four days. I'm in high school and I'm embarrassed of the side effects like weight gain. I'm a cheerleader so I'm also very active. Do you think the prednisone will effect me very much considering I'm only going to be on it for 28 days and at such a low dosage? Thank you in advance for any responses I might receive.
Posted 5/15/2014 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Considering you're on such a low dose and for such a small amount of time, I think you should be fine. I went through the same thing twice while I was in highschool and only experienced a bit of extra acne (no weight gain, mood swings etc). Id say try to limit your salt intake while your on it since consuming salt can increase the water weight thats stored, but beyond that, you should be ok : )
Posted 5/15/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much! I've been dreading taking this medicine all day, but this honestly made me feel a lot better. Thank you! (: also, what would you recommend eating that has low sodium?

Post Edited (Lexi05) : 5/15/2014 5:34:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2014 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Lexi, try to avoid processed foods which always contain a lot of sodium, and don't add salt at the table. That should be enough to prevent you from bloating. As for acne, some people get it and some don't. I had lots of side effects, but never acne. Hopefully you won't even see a difference with that short course of steroids.
Posted 5/15/2014 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Lexi...stay active and low sodium AND low sugar, both...that will certainly help!
Posted 5/15/2014 11:54 PM (GMT 0)

Lexi05 said...
Thank you so much! I've been dreading taking this medicine all day, but this honestly made me feel a lot better. Thank you! (: also, what would you recommend eating that has low sodium?

Thats good to hear! I went through the same sort of fears/worries the first time I had to take it as well so I know what its like.

As far as what you should eat goes, as another person mentioned, stay away from processed foods and fast foods as much as possible, since they contain a lot of sodium. But besides keeping sodium and sugar to a minimum, your diet can probably stay pretty similar what it is now.

Another thing Id suggest is not looking anymore into the "potential" side effects of the drug. Often times, being aware of these side effects can make them manifest, independent of any true biological changes (that's what's known as the placebo affect). So, if you just carry on as you are now and dont give it much thought, you should be more than ok : )
Posted 5/15/2014 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Fresh foods! Def no processed, salty foods.
Probably avoid deep fried stuff too...

Acne is my #1 symptom. But it took months before I got it.

I could see you maybe getting a little grouchy or mild insomnia... but with a short dose, things should be pretty light and hopefully go away quickly :)
Posted 5/15/2014 11:58 PM (GMT 0)

embersglow1 said...
Fresh foods! Def no processed, salty foods.
Probably avoid deep fried stuff too...

Acne is my #1 symptom. But it took months before I got it.

I could see you maybe getting a little grouchy or mild insomnia... but with a short dose, things should be pretty light and hopefully go away quickly :)

Thank you so much! (:
Posted 5/15/2014 11:58 PM (GMT 0)

Marauder93 said...

Lexi05 said...
Thank you so much! I've been dreading taking this medicine all day, but this honestly made me feel a lot better. Thank you! (: also, what would you recommend eating that has low sodium?

Thats good to hear! I went through the same sort of fears/worries the first time I had to take it as well so I know what its like.

As far as what you should eat goes, as another person mentioned, stay away from processed foods and fast foods as much as possible, since they contain a lot of sodium. But besides keeping sodium and sugar to a minimum, your diet can probably stay pretty similar what it is now.

Another thing Id suggest is not looking anymore into the "potential" side effects of the drug. Often times, being aware of these side effects can make them manifest, independent of any true biological changes (that's what's known as the placebo affect). So, if you just carry on as you are now and dont give it much thought, you should be more than ok : )


Good idea! Thank you again!
Posted 5/16/2014 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

Scott Z said...
Lexi...stay active and low sodium AND low sugar, both...that will certainly help!

I will definitely do that! Thank you!(:
Posted 5/16/2014 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

Judy2 said...
Lexi, try to avoid processed foods which always contain a lot of sodium, and don't add salt at the table. That should be enough to prevent you from bloating. As for acne, some people get it and some don't. I had lots of side effects, but never acne. Hopefully you won't even see a difference with that short course of steroids.

Thank you so much!(:
Posted 5/16/2014 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I bet you do fine on this quickly tapered dose of prednisone. You're really smart to be checking in and getting an idea of how you can prevent the side-effects. Nobody helped me with this the first time I went on it (for much longer and higher dose than you, don't worry!) and I gained a lot of weight. The next time I took it I knew much more what to expect.

I always get a bit mean on prednisone... my temper is shorter and I get mad at things I shouldn't. If you notice this happening don't worry too much, just take a deep breath and realize it's just the meds.

Best of luck to you with it, and in high school.
Posted 5/16/2014 2:59 AM (GMT 0)

Thoreau said...
I bet you do fine on this quickly tapered dose of prednisone. You're really smart to be checking in and getting an idea of how you can prevent the side-effects. Nobody helped me with this the first time I went on it (for much longer and higher dose than you, don't worry!) and I gained a lot of weight. The next time I took it I knew much more what to expect.

I always get a bit mean on prednisone... my temper is shorter and I get mad at things I shouldn't. If you notice this happening don't worry too much, just take a deep breath and realize it's just the meds.

Best of luck to you with it, and in high school.

Thank you so much! This is all making me feel a lot better about this whole thing and a lot less frightening!
Posted 5/16/2014 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure anyone mentioned it, but you should go easy on the salt ;-)


and sugar too wink
Posted 5/16/2014 3:31 AM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
I'm not sure anyone mentioned it, but you should go easy on the salt ;-)


and sugar too wink

Thank you! (:
Posted 5/16/2014 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 40mg for a month or so and then started decreasing it by 5mg every week, I onlyy gained about 2kg's but I could have avoided that, I did no exercise while taking it because of the pain that I was in, now I'm back up to 30mg for 3 weeks and so far haven't gained much more! good luck x
Posted 5/16/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)

emma99jane said...
I was on 40mg for a month or so and then started decreasing it by 5mg every week, I onlyy gained about 2kg's but I could have avoided that, I did no exercise while taking it because of the pain that I was in, now I'm back up to 30mg for 3 weeks and so far haven't gained much more! good luck x


Thank you! And your diet, how are you managing that?
Posted 5/16/2014 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Lexi05 said...

emma99jane said...
I was on 40mg for a month or so and then started decreasing it by 5mg every week, I onlyy gained about 2kg's but I could have avoided that, I did no exercise while taking it because of the pain that I was in, now I'm back up to 30mg for 3 weeks and so far haven't gained much more! good luck x


Thank you! And your diet, how are you managing that?

I was mainly just eating what I usually did before I knew I had UC, but just tried to cut down on sweets and snacks a little x
Posted 5/16/2014 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I think the body's reaction to the drug will depend on the individual. I have been on prednisone for almost 3 months now (started at 40mg for 3 weeks then decreased slowly) and haven't gained any weight at all and definitely don't have moon face. But I have always been naturally thin and actually lost a lot of weight since this last flare started so I'm disappointed I haven't gained any weight while on prednisone. Only side effect I experienced was a bit more acne but that only lasted about 2-3 weeks and now my face is completely fine.
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