Getting ‘over the moon’ and weight gain factor
I’ve always had a healthy appetite but when my steroid doses increase I turn into nothing less than a mean eating machine. I am only 5 foot 2 and I often feel I could eat my husband under the table (not literally!): he is over 6 foot and a big lad. Personally, I find it is not exactly hunger though; oddly it’s just more a constant urge to eat. Weight gain is common amongst those taking Prednisone (especially with doses over 10mg) and as I’ve highlighted this includes a fair few ‘loopies’. The reason for the weight gain is that Prednisone causes the body to retain sodium and lose potassium. This combination can result in fluid retention, weight gain, and bloating. Furthermore, an increased appetite is another significant side effect for many.
And, as if ‘unfair’ weight gain (as I see it in these circumstances!) isn’t bad enough in itself, Prednisolone often causes the redistribution of fat, which makes any amount weight gain even less tolerable. The weight gain from Prednisolone tends to be located in the face (‘moonface’), back of the neck (‘buffalo hump’), and the abdomen (‘truncal obesity’). Aren’t these very words alone enough to make you cry!? To give an idea I have showed a ‘before’ (left) and ‘after’ shot (right) to demonstrate a bit of my moonface, but to be honest, I was reluctant to have too many photos taken when things were at their worst!
I continue to struggle, but have so far been relatively successful at keeping my weight down, although there are times when things have been worse than others in this department. Still, here follows the best advice I can give that has so...
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