Hi folks. I help, words of advice, but mostly some words of encouragement! I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that I will most definitely gain weight on prednisone. I've been kinda a Carb Junkie my entire life, more so starches than outright sugar, but still. Anyway, fortunately and very thankfully it's never been a problem for me weight wise. However, over the past few weeks, I've gained 13lbs!!! I KNOW!! Odd thing though, my clothes have gotten looser and it's really only showing on my face, arms and of course the scale! Since I'm not a big veggie eater, and CRAVE my breads and taters....well, I'm just not sure what to do. Should I expect more lbs? I can deal with what I've got now, but sure don't want to "balloon up"! Help, and please be Gentle!😕
There isn't anything to add to what has been said. If you want to avoid weight gain when on pred - cut carbs and salt. Weight gain on steroids isn't inevitable - there are loads of people on both forums who will back me up.
But only one person can do anything about it.
Hi
I too gained about 10 pounds quite quickly when first prescribed 40mg of pred and it was visible and n my moon face and arms!!
I have since followed we’d a strict eating regime cutting out puddings, pastries and sugars!
I have managed to lose 7pounds but it hasn’t been easy!
I’m determined to not let the steroids take over and you too can do the same, I’m sure!
I’ve been told that steroids turn the sugars we eat into fats! Not sure how true this is but it makes sense!
Good luck
Thx Anne...I'm gonna try, honesty I am. It's so hard when you're going through pain and trying to accept a new diagnosis to also try and avoid the things in life that bring you Joy...ie, a twice baked potato with all the fixin's!😳😭
Oh dear, it sounds like I might have a bit of a problem here then with PMR and Pred...Lynda6270 you are not alone...I cant offer any encouragement yet but I am sure we can get the help and insight from others on this site.
I love chocolate, and have an annoying habit in the evenings of eating this and go through phases...this week it is chocolate croissants and pain au chocolat. This is my first week on Pred and from the sounds of this forum and the great people offering advice and insight...it is a matter of embracing a new way of thinking and particularly eating.
My sugar intake this last week has been pretty normal for me, but with PMR and taking Pred I am sure I will soon notice what is happening...already I can see added pounds on the weight scale...I have got to get to grips with this soon...
The weight gain is a minor point. Steroid-induced diabetes is rather more significant.
I know exactly how you are feeling but together we can support each other on our steroid journey!
I have PMR and GCA and every day is a mystery! I can have a pain free day followed by a day when I struggle to get upstairs! But, I will not let it beat me!! Neither will you 😀
If it is important to you that you don't put on a lot of weight, you will have to be strong and cut down considerably on the carbs, choc, cake and salt. Make it your mission and keep a food diary to help you change your eating habits. Pred won't make you put on weight if you are careful and it is well worth it in the end.
Thx Diana. As I said, I've never had 2 worry about my eating habits so this is all very new to me! In addition to have been able to pretty much eat what I wanted, if I DID need to drop a couple if lbs, I've always been able to do it quickly (even in my current 60's)! So, with that being said, although I completely understand what everyone's saying about cutting carbs, sugar and fats, it's Truly a whole new world for me which is going to take me a bit if time and a new mindset! (Ughhh, just in time for the upcoming holiday season!). Also, any thoughts as to why my clothes seem to be becoming baggy whilst the ## on the scale are going up?? Kinda confusing.
Lynda, what's hard about it, just cut down gradually if you don't have any will power. It will benefit you to try to loose weight, as I'm sure you won't want any more problems. I love my food but I have learned I can still have pasta, but I have now tried lentil pasta as no carbs or little as learned from this site.
we are all still learning, try to do it for your own health.
With all due respect....What's hard about it???? Crud, this whole thing is HARD! Life is hard! Just doing the best I can do. If I sound a bit crabby, I AM! Sorry....
I could not give up carbs, so I opted for the only other alternative- exercise and the LOTS of it. I take walks ( with dog) 3x a day and log 5-7Km per day. In addition I do intense exercise for 1.5-2 hours 3 -4 times a week ( mountain biking and swimming). With all that I burn extra 20000-25000 calories each month. All this keeps my weight stable and blood sugar under control.
My diet has not change - I love sweets, love wine, love chocolate. I have wine with dinner daily and late nightcap french brandy to help me relax before sleep. Just because of PMR, I don't want to compromise things in life that I enjoy.
Bottom line is that if you don't want to change food intake, then you need to increase how much energy you burn and those activities have to be above and beyond of what you do now to keep energy intake/spending in balance.
Hi ya Lynda, I eat chocolate, only dark choc 70% cocoa.
After diagnosis I have changed to anti inflammatory diet, that was hard, as I loved the same things you did, I feel so so much better on this diet. I have finally learned to cook, I have always hated cooking, actually enjoy it now.
Anyway am really glad to have lost 10 kilos. I think it's worth it to miss out on things. Still have cups of tea and chocolate! so you don"t feel like missing out too much.
Yes I absolutely agree with you but not everyone is strong enough or able enough to do exercise like you to keep the weight under control! I was in so much pain for the first year of PMR in spite of pred as I was continually being reduced too fast by the rheumie (that's when I decided to go it alone and manage my own drops) that I could hardly push a trolley round the supermarket or walk more than 500 steps. And I had belonged to a gym since 1986 and led an active lifestyle. I think we all have ways of coping with PMR and mine was to look up the steroid diet on line and stick to it as far as possible. This was my daily challenge and it kept me focused and determined in spite of everything. I only started to feel able to walk further etc once I reached 12mg and had more energy. I take my hat off to you for all your disciplined exercise....but you are so lucky to be able to do it! I certainly wish I could! And in the meantime the diet keeps the weight under control (plus my husband's too) and keeps me looking the same How long have you had pmr and what dose are you on now?
Cut all the naughties from the house and you won't be able to eat them!! No-one loved carbs more than me. I couldn't visit the supermarket without nibbling a bread roll with olives in it every day and chocolate is addictive...one piece is never enough!! And that goes for pan chocolat too!!
Great stuff ... and good on you. I agree.
Hi diana and nick! First thank you both for your greatly appreciated answers to my quandary. Nick, I, (like diana), so admire your exercise regimen. However, I too am barely able to walk my dog 2x p/day, much less run or bike ride ( which have never been my thing Anyway)! I've suddenly turned into one of these poor souls who m have to use an electric cart in the grocery store! Never in my wildest dreams....I was the cheerleader and majorette in school, the 1st one on the dance floor etc., etc. Now, I can't stand in a dang bank line for Pete's sake! And in combination with my paralyzed lung situation which causes me shortness of breath on a continuous level, well, you probably get the picture. I can't begin to tell you how depressed this has all made me....It's all relatively new, so I'm still trying to process it. Usually at this point I'd apologise for feeling so sorry for myself, but tonight, I'm just Angry!! This too shall pass, but for now, I'm just going to go with it. And diana, I can relate to your former dislike of cooking, for I too dislike it INTENSELY! The joke in our family has always been, I've always (and still am!) been a GREAT mom, just not a "June Cleaver" mom! Lol... Anyway, I guess the bottom line to all this is, it's New, and things are happening rapidly that (largely) I can't control. I'm trying to figure it all out while still making my life work! I'm sad and I'm scared and I'm very confused....but I have faith I'll make it! I just need some time and a few compassionate ears so I can be the same 'ole Lynda for my family and friends. Thanks so much for listening.
Another point about carbs in general, sugar in particular, is that they are pro-inflammatory - can make the inflammation worse. Many people have found that cutting them has also helped their symptoms and that they flare if the have a carb binge.
I know it is hard, life is hard, life isn't air, no-one ever really believed it was - but when you count up the potential benefits it makes it easier to make a resolution to at least try.
It was never easy. I could not get out of bed by myself before I was diagnosed and put on pred. That was almost 3 years ago - Dec 2015. Started at 15mg, had gone as low as 3mg and had a setback with hand/knuckles swelling this June and had to go back to 9mg. I tapered down to 4mg recently.
I was very active before PMR and lucky that have no other issues that would prevent me from exercising. It took me almost a year to very gradually get back to the level of fitness that I had before PMR. Daily walks started at few hunddered meeters and gradually became longer; then I added biking in a few months first 15-20 min and then longer ( now 2hours) and then I started swimming, my favorite sport. Gradually I increased distance, so now I can swim 2.5-3Km per session.
I opted for exercise because it actually helps recovery from PMR, helps with stiffness and also maintaining muscle mass. This in tern keeps the metabolism at higher level and takes care of weight and sugar problem.
I hear you. Just think how hard it would be if you don't take steps to reduce carbs and on a top of everything else gain extra weight. Be strong and save yourself trouble in a future. The hardest part of PMR is accepting new normal and adopting to it.