PhysiciansforPatients - Created by physicians. Made for Patients.

Karen

The love/hate relationship of prednisone. I have gained up to 50lbs on prednisone. I have nothing to help, i just eat. But now I can't eat anything b/c my stomach is all messed up, I have been on prednisone for a few weeks now and haven't gained a pound. I must admit I love the med for about 6months and then the I have to get off them, the risk/benifit factor only works for a very short while on me then I turn into a mean fat bitch. Its something with time you will learn how your body responds.

3 months ago

Laurel

I started on Prednisone 60 mg a day back in April of this year because of lupus nephritis. It was absolutely amazing! After taking it for about 2 weeks, I felt so good...better than I have felt in about 10 years! I was able to stop taking all pain medications and I was positively euphoric and had energy to burn ( sound familiar to anyone?). I gained weight ('cause I was always hungry and ate like a pig!) but I felt so good, I just thought it was an "Oh well" situation. Since starting the med, I have gained about 45 pounds. It sucks :(  Now, I am almost off it but I feel almost as bad as I did before I started it. I don't think you can win with Prednisone. It is a wonder drug but the side effects are horrific.  I am struggling to become more active so I can lose some of the weight I have gained but it's tough to exercise when you can barely drag your butt out of bed most days!

3 months ago

Erica

I hear ya, yeah I have gained alot of weight to, but I feel so good on prednisone, its hard to take it away. They upped my dose a bit and I actually have energy today! I do think its a love/hate thing because it benefits so much in some areas but on others its a nasty drug. I think we should keep on having faith and staying positive, and maybe one day they will invent a new med that can help us witht his terrible disease and get us away from prednisone and its side effects.

3 months ago

Joseph

Some of the weight gain with steroids is caused by fluid retention.  Limiting salt intake can help this somewhat.  A portion of the weight gain in some patients is from the reversal of weight loss caused by the lupus activity (stemming weight loss is thus a sign of clinical improvement).  But much of the weight gain associated with steroids is due to an increase in appetite driven by the drug itself.  Unfortunately there is not much that can be done about the hunger sensation.  Starting meals with a thin soup or other fluid intake will distend the stomach, sending signals to the brain that you are "full."  Otherwise, snacking on low-carb food such as carrots and celery helps.  Finding other activities to do when you feel hungry also can decrease food intake.  Also, keep the high carb, high calorie, high fat foods out of the pantry, fridge, and freezer so that you won't be tempted (limits the opportunities for late night ice cream treats!).

2 months ago