Can I take Pred without weight gain?

[JannaLee]

Please, please tell me how likely it is that I will gain weight from a 1 month course of Prednisone? 

The script starts at 30mg for 4 days then tapers down to 5mg a day.

Is it unreasonable to think I can take this stuff for just one month and then be better for a while?  Does that sound like something that happens?

The doc said I should note if it makes a "night and day" difference and then note what dosage (during the tapering off period) is no longer helpful.

This sounds like he is planning I will continue to take it after the month is over.

He also said "it will be very revealing" if the pred does NOT help.  What might that mean?  Of course I didn't ask at the time because I was busy trying not to cry.

I'm worried I already know the answers to these questions.

Thank you for any info!
Janna

[syng4hym]

I think it's normal to gain weight from a month's worth of Prednisone.  I take 5 mgs every day but am on 10 mgs now because I'm in a flare.  I've gone way up before and never gained weight, but I think I'm not the norm (what's new?). 

I would think that he wants to know what mgs will best help you feel better.  I'd be surprised if he put you on more than 5 mgs/day if he keeps you on it.  That's a good dose and doesn't really effect you negatively.

My mom's been on prednisone for 30 years for her asthma and her body doesn't make cortizone anymore.  If she doesn't take prednisone, she'll die.  So, I've always been worried about being on long-term prednisone, but I'll be honest, I'd rather have quality of life now and less time at the end than not having any quality (which would be if I didn't take any Prednisone) of life and more time to be in pain at the end.  That's my philosophy, tho. 

Good luck.  I hope you can get out of some of that pain.  On 30 mgs, I feel like super woman. 

[sewandsew]

I did not gain weight with a month's course of pred.  Don't know why though.  Even a nurse friend of mine was surprised.  Perhaps it is the low dosage and being spread over 30 days rather than a higher dose for a shorter time

[tomsmom]

For some reason, even though my doctor warned me that weight gain would be a very probable side effect from a steroid taper, I lose weight on them.  I recently completed my 2nd Medrol taper and each time I'm on this medicine I drop weight.  No idea why.  The first steroid taper I did back in October was on Prednisone.  I had bad side effects from the Pred so from then on I got put on Medrol for bad flares.
Since the Medrol taper two weeks ago I convinced my doctor to leave me on 4 mg per day.  I feel so so on that dosage but I really think I'd benefit from 8mg per day.  But if you knew my doctor you'd know it was a miracle I got left on the 4mg.
Just like Syng4hym, on 30mg which translates to 24mg of Medrol, I felt like superwoman too.  I did things I only dreamed of-- like clean my house from top to bottom and organized everything.
I think the doctor meant that if you improved on the steroid it would be more conclusive that your problems are all from Sjs/Lupus and not from something like fibromyalgia.  I hope you get some relief on the Prednisone  Too bad we can't stay on these medicines forever without bad complications.

[YYC_ Mommy]

I took Prednisone about 15 years ago when I had Bell's Palsy. I started at a high dose (I can not remember the actual dose) and slowly the dose lowered, I was on it for max 8 weeks. I had the moon face, I was puffy and looked swollen and I DID gain weight, quite a bit. BUT it saved my face from being paralysed.

Unfortunately you probably won't know how your body will react to it until you try it. The overall benefit might out weigh any weight gain if you do happen to have any.

I too have been going through this conversation in my head for myself as well. I see my Rheumy on Monday and I am thinking that he too might want me to try prednisone. I have already been taking Plaquenil for over 2months. I honestly go back and forth on the issue for myself. Some days I think that I would take anything to help my pain and improve my quality of life. On the other hand some days I remember back to being on the drug and thinking that I never want to take it again.

I hope that it all works out for you.

[Epson]

The last two times I took prednisone I didn't gain more then 1 or 2 pounds, but I knew that I needed to curb my appetite, unfortunately I can go for days without sleep when I'm on prednisone, like a tweaker.

[Pegasus47]

Hi JannaLee:

I take prednisone when I have a break out.  The doctor prescribes 5 mg for 2 days, then 4 for 2 days etc. to taper off.   The ulcers will go away at the end, then back again in one week.  My doc. doesn't want me to take Prednisone for more than one week at a time.  I did not gain weight in the process.   Taking it contineously for one month sounds a little excessive.  But then your doctor is a professional. 

So now adays, I start with 3 mg for one day, as soon as the lesions occur, and down to 2 mg the next day.  Seems to work. 

The frustrating thing is, the lesions keep on coming back.  I can feel the tinkling before they come on, so I take the 3 mg of prednisone right away, early suppresion.

Everybody is different.  I hope this helps!  I hate using drugs.

Pegasus

[bloodless]

I gained weight like gang busters! 4 to 6 lbs a week! Hopefully taking it only a month, you'll be able to drop anything you do gain. I haven't had any luck losing my extra, but then again I never could lose weight by eating less. I used to work it off. Now I can't hardly move, so nothing gets worked off. I should give up my hamburgers and pizza, but that's not likely! he he.

[gurs]

I was on 10mg of prednisone for years...I dont think it did anything...last year after my IVIG and bad reactions, I was given some sol-medrol and noticed how much better I felt so I asked my doc to leave me on 4mg a day of medrol...then, I added another 4mg...I did help, I actually lost weight and felt a bit better....Now, 5 months later, my face looks fat, trouble losing any weight without eating and my hair loss is more extreme than ever...Im going to try and wean off the medrol. If I didnt have gastroparesis, Im sure I would be very overweight, as I dont have an appetite. Just try the prednisone and really, really try and watch what you eat. Portion control as we know is the key. Drink lots of water try any type of natural diuretic like more postassium etc.. good luck to you!!! hope it helps you. (prednisone did nothing for me-medrol worked much better)

[Babs659]

Over the course of several months I gained about 5 to 10 lbs on 4mg of Medrol.  As soon as I got down to 2mg it started coming off.

[irish]

Janna, I think it sounds like your doc has a good head on his shoulder. He is doing a very prudent "burst and taper" that will give him some good information about your bodies amount of inflammation and response to steroids.

You may or may not gain a few pounds but if you exercise more and watch your food intake you should be able to keep a lid on things. Just remember that it is only for a month and that all of us are different. The good thing is that you may not need as much sleep so you will be more active. Get the spring cleaning done at night!!!!

Will be interested to see how you feel after this month. Irish

[ohiolady]

Janna,

Just hoping that you feel better from this new treatment.  You are a sweetheart and I hope that this will bring you less pain and some better days ahead.

Anna

[Pegasus47]

For whatever this is worth.  Once in a while, I believe we need to clean out our system.  I have been going to seminars at a local forum that encourages natural therapy, and they really believe in the cleansing diet.

So I had a colonoscopy last November, took this terrible tasting  liquid to clean out before the procedure.  I followed through afterwards with a cleansing diet- 3 lemons with 1 quart of water, 3 tablespoons of natural maple syrup plus a dash of cheyenne pepper.  I drank this all day, supplemented with clear chicken or beef broth - for 8 days.  I lost 8 llbs.  It is now 6 months post cleansing, I am 10 pounds lighter. 

I was not hungry through out the process and of course consulted with all the experts- some of them are physicians from this forum while on it.

I think sometimes we are taking too many pills, the body is having a tough time handling all the toxins.  Cleaning out once in a while is probably a good idea.  I think I am going to do this maybe twice a year. 

What do you think of this idea?

Pegasus 

[DragonflyC]

I'm a big fan of including natural treatments (e.g., fish oil, turmeric, meditation) in our health plans, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about what you're trying, Pegasus.  But I have to say that, personally, I'm pretty sure that all those pharmaceutical pills are what's keeping my poor, malfunctioning body going; I see them as supporting my system, not taxing it. 


As for the cleansing, I defer to Dr. Weil:

The body has its own self-cleaning, self-purifying systems. The best ways to protect yourself from toxicity are to avoid taking toxins into your body and to keep those systems in good working order. For example, the kidneys are a key component of our blood-purifying apparatus, and you can best protect their health by drinking enough pure water and avoiding dietary stressors such as coffee, alcohol, and excessive protein. In general, I favor relying on the body's own resources for detoxifying, and I urge you to learn about them (I discuss them in my book Natural Health, Natural Medicine).

You also should be aware that none of the many supplements and herbal products purported to detoxify the system and purify the blood are necessary to good health. Neither is colon cleansing. The entire lining of the colon sloughs off and is regenerated every day. If you are eating well, drinking enough water, and getting enough physical activity, your regular eliminations will be sufficient to keep the colon clean and in good working order.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400502/Eliminating-Toxins-With-Massage.html

[JannaLee]

Thank you everyone!

I appreciate so very very much all your energies and sympathies on my behalf! 

Started Prednisone today and have had two 10mg doses so far and (of course) do not feel a single bit better.  I'll be taking another dose shortly and hope to see improvement tomorrow?  Yes, I know I'm asking for immediate relief, it's just that I NEED to be up and doing instead of laying about!  Honestly I'm so sick today I can barely stand up.

You are all the dearest people in my life!  There are not adequate words to describe my gratitude for this forum and your acquaintance.

Janna
PS I've been debating whether to admit what a "head-case" I am and own up to consumption of; 2 bananas, 2 oranges, 6 pretzels, and 2 V8 servings since lunch!! I've been so worried about the weight gain, I think my obsession has made me imagine I have increased appetite before the pred has started to work!  Ugh!  It's going to be a long month!