HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Prednisone---SO MISERABLE and BLOATED WAAA!

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/21/2016 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Okay...now am tapered down to 20 mg. for 4 weeks...this is freaking miserable. LIKE YOU ALL DON'T KNOW THIS! Been on Pred. since mid March starting at 40 mg. I am sick of how I feel, look and my clothes do not fit right. My back even feels spongy to the touch. My legs are losing any shape and starting to look like a sausage and I am just 5'1". LOL GAH! I know this is a side effect but is there any hope my waist will come back, my clothes fit like they did before this? I normally have a flat belly and wake up with a beer belly! WOW! Do try and watch what I eat (sodium intake). I drink a lot of water and now that I am feeling better, can exert myself physically. I am trying to walk 2 miles on my lunch break at work and now am cutting the grass (self-propelled...hey, still doing something). LOL There are times where my lower back is sore from this and also my abdomen area under my belly button is TENDER after I walk. BUT, am getting better with the steroid. I knew this going in but come on, every day, all the time a belly that is sort of hard to the touch and the constant weight gain on the scale when you aren't eating the 3500 calories to justify each pound. What works for you? HELP PLEASE! Will be on this till about June per the doctor.
Posted 4/21/2016 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you're already doing everything I know to reduce those side effects. There's only two things that are certain in life: taxes and prednisone side effects. We can all relate on how much they suck, but there's no avoiding or stopping the prednisone side effects. You gotta put your health ahead of your vanity and just accept that prednisone and it's effects are temporary. Once you're off, most go away and water retention usually fairly quickly. So hang in there it does get better.
Posted 4/21/2016 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Believe me I know your pain / frustration right now. I just dropped down to 25mg today ( started at 40 several weeks ago ), and my oh my are the side effects starting to kick in. I have severe cystice acne all over my entire head. When I wake up in the middle of the night it feels like someone has been dripping battery acid all over my scalp and face. I would gladly trade you the acne for some weight gain / bloat haha...... J/k..... well kinda..... the side effects compound the ongoing living hell of a UC flare. If it helps any you are not alone in dealing with this stuff.
Posted 4/21/2016 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
The only upside I see to prednisone puffy-face, is less wrinkles. Don't you hate it when people look at you like they know you're putting on weight, but they don't want to say anything. And then you contemplate telling them your whole medical history.... but you don't. #dailystruggle
Posted 4/21/2016 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I was miserable. Then I had to go somewhere special. I went to a local Talbots store. It's the closest clothing store to my house. I was a little psycho. The staff got all supportive and helpful and pulled together a super flattering look for me.

You won't believe what a lift!

I'm shallow. When I look pretty, I feel better.

At least temporarily, you have a different body. Dress the body you have.
Posted 4/21/2016 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
@ taben.... posted earlier in this thread but just had a relevant experience I thought I'd share as I think it will help. I went to the gym and after training I decided to spend 20 minutes in the sauna, and like magic all that water bloat is gone. I was amazed at how much I was sweating ( and I normally sweat profusely anyways ). The shape of my face literally looked different after that 20 mins ( less round and more like normal ) So if you have access to a sauna you might want to give it a shot and see if getting a good sweat on regularly helps to relieve all that water retention.
Posted 4/22/2016 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Mmmmmmm.... Sauna! I will so find a way next time!!!
Posted 4/22/2016 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
No words of wisdom from me but in the same situation. Just tapered to 20 mg from March start and also 5'1 and also look like a sausage! I have my step daughters wedding next week and this extra weight is wreaking havoc on my dress selections.

This is my third round in 2 years, so I do know the weight comes off after the taper. Hopefully this time I'll enjoy the weight loss before I need prednisone again.
Posted 4/24/2016 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Taben
I have just got through a terrible taper from iv steroids and high doses for a long time! It is hell and I am now struggling with hair loss on top of all the other side effects. All I can say is that the weight should reduce as you start to feel nauseated when off the Pred. My face looks a lot less swollen. It is a nightmare but it will get better gradually. I have been off Pred for 2 months and am now starting to get back to normal! Cx
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply