I have been on pred since November. Started at 15, went to 20 and am now down to 11. I have learned so much from this discussion group but I have a problem that I have not seen mentioned here or maybe I just missed it. Chipmunk cheeks are talked about but I have a large double chin that I never had before and quite often it feels llike I am being strangled. Can't wear anything that goes around the neck and at night the pillows have to be just right or I feel like I can't breath. The breathing really isn't a problem but it certainly feels like it is
Hi Mary. .I've worked with people who faces become so wide and round being on prednisone but unsure about chin...but apparently does reduce when steroids reduce. Gail
Maybe chin is the wrong word for it is the neck under the chin and it is getting worse even though my meds are going down. Could be something else? Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Have u put on weight if so it's bound to go there I know when I do it does go under my chin...I've not started any treatment as yet and have doubts as to what I've got...SCAREY! !!! Have a chat to yr gp he may know if it's normal....good luck Mary keep me posted as I may end up with same if I go on pred. ..gail.
I've only gained about 8 pounds over this past year......could be alot worse from what I have read. My gp did a sonogram to see if there was any abnormalities or growths in my neck area but nothing showed up. Now she is talking about putting a scope down but I am certainly not wild about that idea. I am a chicken through and through.
I have the same problem marykay and have accepted it as a prednisone issue. My face feels so very tight at times I think my skin will burst. My eyes and mouth are disappearing! My neck has gotten very thick all around. So far it hasn't disturbed my sleep or my breathing. I also have the midrift fat accumulation and even have fat on the soles of my feet. I feel like I'm walking on cushions. Since I started at 40 mg 7 months ago and am currently tapering to 20 mg I figure I have a long way to go before I can expect the fat build-up issues to lessen.
How long have you been on pred? I have never seen any comments about fat accumulations like that. Oh I am a poor reader......I see you have been on for 7 months. Have you tried a diet? I still eat what I always did but maybe it would help to try to loose a few pounds. Well all of this is better than the pain I had.
I've tried to maintain a low carb and high fiber diet since starting with prednisone. In the early stages of PMR I lost 12 pounds, which I've put back on in the last 7 months. So, I'm now at my pre-PMR weight. However, the fat has redistributed to the typical areas for predinisone users. At least, that's what I understanding from what I've read and been told by my health practitioner.
I've been on preds since December, Starting at 15 and now down to 8.I've been developing a double chin slowly since I started but as yet it's not that bad.Last week I met somebody who I haven't seen for a few months and they said I'm getting round faced. Nobody else has said this but I think gradual changes go unnoticed with familiarity. I'm also developing quite a belly. Now for the odd bit.....I haven't gained any weight, I was an overweight male of 13 stone at Christmas and I'm now an overweight, over sized male (my waist has increased by 2 inches) at 13 stone this morning. I always used to say to over size people that what ever goes on around the middle goes in through you face, with the obvious exception of pregnancy (which can't apply in my case). I guess I'll have to re=think that one.
Hi marykay
I know exactly how you feel. I have a double chin to be proud of! ! I also have fatty deposits on my collar bones at the base of my neck as well as my waist. I'm on 10mg at the moment. Am away to Australia for a month soon and when I get back am joining slimmers club. Over past 18 months have gained 20 lbs. Have to do something.
Take care
Wendy x
Hi marykay, I don't know if you have read my recent thread where I said that I have been on Pred for PMR for 12 years, and other medications for RA and heart problems, all in all I have gained 4 stone! including a large double chin and losing weight is proving to be impossible. Still I will keep on taking the tablets, as they say, and try to keep smiling. Best wishes to you, Ruth.
It is an absolutely typical place for pred fat distribution to happen - try googling moonface and cushing's syndrome and you should get a picture. It is due to the excess corticosteroid that is circulating. It doesn't happen to everyone but does usually start to go once you get below 10mg so be patient. It can happen withing days at high doses and it is partly fluid retention from the pred and mainly deposition of fat.
Hi MaryKay, Yes I also have the neck! Yuk. The problem with the breathing at night makes me make terrible noises in my sleep. Drives my poor partner mad! The doctor has doubled my dose of Omeprazole to 40mgs a day as apparently the acid reflux is making it worse. I have been checked for Thyroid problems as the dr thought I had a goitre! Have tried three times to reduce from my starting pred dose of 15mg but have had to go back every time. Since I am now being investigated for a heart problem and last week was told by dr that I now have pred induced diabetes as well (aaarrgghh! Will it ever end)?, I am waiting for things to settle down before trying again. However I am now on a calorie controlled diet, making sure I stick to mainly unprocessed foods and getting in my five a day! Wasn't sure if I would lose any weight while taking the pred but in the first two weeks lost 2kg! Certainly worth persevering. I wish I had done it from the start but if wishes were £20 notes, I'd be extremely wealthy by now! In the meantime I try to avoid people with cameras! Good luck and take care, Debbie
Thank you everyone for sharing for it takes the worry away about the very large double chin. I like Wendy's comment about having a chin to be proud of and Debbie's about avoding people with cameras. Good to have some humor with all of this. Steve's comment takes the cake. Good luck to each and everyone of us.
Don't forget the mirrors too! The only mirror I had access to except the bathroom cabinet was in the lift. I always stood with my back to it...
I had the strange nighttime noises but although it has stopped since I lost weight I think it is as much the PMR as the pred - mine started before I put on weight around my face and neck.
I was diagnosed in April and am currently on 12 1/2mg prednesolone, hopefully to go down to 10mg at the end of the week. I too have a 'double chin' which have never had before. It looks like a very enlarged thyroid but I had half my thyroid removed some years ago so it cannot be that.. I just assumed that if went with the 'chubby cheeks' which I find uncomfortable - they make me feel as though I am peering at everything. Can anyone throw any light on this problem?
I have had a quick squint through this thread and have to ask...why has nobody yet mentioned the Buffalo Hump? I believe that it is quite common amongst our fellow Pred takers although 'till now it hasn't burdened my shoulders.
I believe I've got the honour of having that as well Steve. Just chosing to avoid acknowledging it. :-)
My buffalo hump disappeared when I reached the very low Pred doses. I just remember suddenly becoming aware one day that I could stand up really straight and put my shoulders back - something that I hadn't been able to do for several years on the higher doses of Pred because of too much fat between the shoulder blades.. Chin up everyone - there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Well well Jean. Guess what. I too have hump but not as bad as chin and its easier to hide !! So I think we're brave to acknowledge it. Am thinking of giving my extra appendages names. What do you think !!
Any suggestions anyone
Wendy
X😄