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Cortenema and wt gain

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/17/2012 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
I havent been on here in quite some time. Dxd in Aug 08. In my worst flare yet, started differently, thought it was just a stomach virus. First treated with flagyl and levaquin. Im now on Lialda x 4, and cortenemas.

Ive read previous threads about wt gain due to cortenema so know it can occur, although my dr seems skeptical about systemic reactions (have previously experienced dizziness, nausea). I have gained 10 lbs in one weeks time. This is not due to increased appetite and intake. I have eaten fewer calories and gone to the gym 3 times this week. But I have this swollen feeling all over, can't see or feel vertebrae like I usually can. Is this how wt gain with prednisone appears, or is it slower?

I was also up 2 hrs in the night. I actually skipped the cortenema last night, too scared to take more. Haven't called dr yet but feel like I need to, being Friday and all.

Any advice appreciated!!
Posted 8/17/2012 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Humm perhaps you are especially sensitive. I am currently on cort enemas and have had no side effects. The weight gain from any steroid is not a mystery. It is as a result of increased desire to eat and therefore increased eating. However, you may also retain water which could cause temporary gain (sounds like this is the case when you say you feel swollen). Usually cort enemas dont have systemic effects until you have been using them for a time. I cant tell how long you have been using them.
Posted 8/17/2012 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I've only used it 6 nights! Not sure how to prevent water retention other than cutting salt, which I already am doing.
Thanks for the reply!
Posted 8/17/2012 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Some people are just sensitive to corticosteroids. I was once on steroid E's for nearly a year before I got the typical pred like side effects. But than later, I would get the side effects almost instantly if I used the steroid E's. I'm also sensitive now to cortisosteroid injections as well.

Oddly enough, the treatment for water retention is to drink lots of water. It will help flush out whatever is causing the water gain.
Posted 8/17/2012 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Guess I'll try that today, does seem counterintuitive though. I guess at this point I should be happy that it seems to be water retention rather than true body wt gain due to overeating, hopefully quicker to shed. I can think of one meal this week that was probably high in sodium (though something ive eaten several times this summer) but am being much more careful now.
Thanks for your input!
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