Weight gain & bloating........how it relates to dosage

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi -

Curious if the amount of weight gained and the bloating after eating is directly proportional to the prednisone dosage one is on ?

To phrase it another way...if one was to gain X amount of weight on dosage X would some of that weight gain be lost if the dosage was reduced to 1/2 X, assuming one's eating habits remained the same ? Or do you have to be off the prednisone entirely in order to lose the weight gained ?

( I understand that a change in diet will help but I am interested in the relationship of weight gain and dosage ).

2

No - not as simple as that. Some people gain weight on low doses, some people don't gain weight on high doses. Someone who gains weight with one form of corticosteroid may not gain weight with a different one.  Some people are able to lose weight while on pred as the dose falls, others lose no weight at all until after they are completely off steroids. Some people suffer with fluid retention - others don't.

And as you note, by changing your diet someone can lose weight even if they struggled before. 

3

I seem to be gaining weight as I reduce on pred—currently at 6 mg.  It’s not good weight either—I’m kinda skinny; this weight gain isn’t pretty.  And I’m bloating and swelling more, it seems.  Go figure....

4

I didn't gain any weight, but that may have been partly thanks to my being scared of both diabetes and osteoporosis so I virtually cut out carbs and sugar and upped exercise.  

5

Hi

This is my second attempt at reduction and the second time I am experienceing weight gain  and bloat as I go below 12.5

I am thinking its an adrenal issue....

I lose on higher doses.

Diet of few carbs, no sugar salt, hasnt changed but weight has.....

G

6

Twopies and Gina - Well that is certainly discouraging to be faced with weight gain as I reduce my dosage.

It's a double whammy of gaining weight when starting prednisone and then again when trying to reduce the dosage and get off the prednisone.

7

Gaining weight as the pred reduces IS very unusual!

8

yes it certainly is counter intuitive but true for me

Lost 20 ils from March to June,  low to no carbs, salt sugar, no exercise... maintained  until got to 12.5 and below gained 7 same diet. Never got the moon face, or facial hair. 

Dr thinks weight gain has  got to do with adrenals not kicking in?

Who knows  ... its a crazy ride

g

9

Gina, are you also experiencing fatigue?  Your post not quite clear, are you below 7 mg now?  If you are still at 12.5 your adrenal glands will not be kicking in yet.

10

Sorry confusing

I noticed weight creeping on under 10 but really started when got to 5

Then had relapse and back to 20, weight loss again felt great

Now at 7mg and up in weight , by 4 lbs in three days. and Yes extreme fatigue muscle weakness .. 

Some shoulder blade pain but tolerable.

Going to go up and hold at 8: for awhile

 I just wanted to post about oddweight reaction, As Eileen said, not common..so wondered if others experience it..

be well

g

 

11

If you google it there are many non-mainstream medicine sites that mention weight gain in secondary adrenal insufficiency due to being on long term steroids. I'm struggling to find stuff that is more reliable. However - gaining 4lbs in 3 days HAS to be due to fluid retention - the body can't make fat that fast! And that, combined with the excessive fatigue is very suggestive that there is something going on that needs to be checked out by an endocrinologist. At least you have a doctor who is prepared to think about that aspect.

12

Thanks  Eileen 

I have no doubt that big gain is water retention but the other slow creep up is fat 😱,

I do believe an endocrinologist will be in the future, as I continue to decrease.

I always thought adrenals were an issue before all this, I am very disciplined about diet when I put my mind to it, and low to no carbs, no sugar never worked for me, until started prednisone, with pred I added  no salt, increased h20 and as I said, at higher doses weight melted off.

Hate to dwell on weight as the pmr is so much better, except for extreme fatigue, I just think its an interesting observation

Be well Going to enjoy this oddly mild late fall stretch of weather here in the Illinois, calm before the winter ahead I am sure.

g

 

13

Hi, I gained a stone very quickly when on a high dose and my body fat shifted completely! Legs got slimmer, torso got bigger and face very round plus the glorious hump. In my journey down to 4mg, my weight has never changed no matter whether I ate well or badly but again my body fat has shifted, legs heavier, moved from shoulders, back bigger and tummy much bigger!! So frustrating!! So essentially, I gained but never lost, even at low doses!