prednisone and weight gain | Arthritis Information

 

I have been taking prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis for 3 years and I have gained about 20 pounds my doctor said it would only cause a couple of pounds but i think it caused more has anyone else noticed significant weight gain with prednisoneI am only on 2 mgs right now but I have 5-7 stubborn pounds that 2 of my doctor's swear are due to those 2 mgs.
When I was on a higher dose I gained 26 lbs in the course of a month. Weight was jumping on 6 lbs at a time.
How many mgs are you taking?

The most I have ever been on is 20mgs, I have not gained any weight. But my mother was taking a much higher dose and gained a lot more than 20lbs, But when she went down in dose the weight went also. I am taking 5 mg every day but I have to take tapers every now and thenfrom what I've read is... it causes increased appetite..... I don't understand how someone (a doctor) can say that will bring on a few pounds... 

I know there isn't a soul here that will believe this one but here goes anyway.  I started out a 100mg daily in August and began tapering from there slowly.  I'm now at 45mg daily of pred and have gained a total of 4 pounds!  Of course I have all the other nasty side effects like moon face, the shakes, muscle weakness in the ankles, thighs, arms, and shoulders, depression, anxiety problems...you name it.  So I guess I'm saying that I'd take even 10-15 pounds over all this junk! 

babs, what exactlly is moon faceHi Rhiann, moonface is the shape that the face takes on after taking larger doses of Pred. than what you're taking.  At 5mg. I doubt if you'll have to worry about any changes other than maybe a few lbs.  of weight gain.  Most if not all of the problems that you'll read about regarding steroid usage are complications from much higher doses.  Why are you taking 5mg. daily for over 3 years?  What other meds are you taking?  LindyThat sounds about right, unfortunately.

Of course there will be those who don't gain. It's different for everybody. but I haven't met those people. the ones I meet along the way all say they gain. one lady I worked with said she gain 100 pounds in a year. she absolutely refuses to take prednisone ever again.

I am on 5 mg at the moment too. It makes me feel like I haven't eaten in a week. so I have been keeping chopped fruit (probably not a good idea -- too much sugar) and also chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, cucumbers, etc. and also a better idea) around so I can kind of graze on them all day.

so I would just try to counteract the effects of prednisone by keeping low-cal, low-fat snacks handy. this morning I had grape juice for breakfast and a bottle of boost for lunch and a subway turkey sandwhich for dinner. that's probably not enough but I would normally have apples, grapefruit, canned fruit, celery sticks, etc. as in between snacks. eating little and often to keep the hunger away. today I didn't have my in between snacks, the muscle pain had me weak so I slept a lot today. 

however, the good thing is when you come off the prednisone, the pounds come off too.

 

 

Many people on steroids such as pred find that a low carb diet works better for prevention of weight gain than low fat.   Fat desn't affect your insulin levels but carbs do and so does pred.  Too much pred and you become insulin resistant and you gain weight.  Too many carbs and you can also become insulin resistant....combine the two and you gain a bunch of weight the problem with pred is it causes insatiable hunger.  its not just that you have the munchies, its that  even if you ate a gallon of  ice cream you would still feel empty.. it also slows your metabolism somewhat so even if you have a will of iron and eat nothing extra you  can still gain. It not only increases appetite but it increases the size of the fat cells. It works like the sports steroids but on different cells. Sports steroids increase the size of the muscle cells, that is why they "bulk" up. While medical steriods "bulk" up the fat cells. Not for everyone but for most people.

I am finally off pred and I lost 15 pounds in one month and have lost another 5 pounds the next month. I am still losing. I always ate well and exercised so I knew it was medication. For me the proof is how fast I lost the weight while not doing anything different. In fact, I ate more sweets in December at parties while I lost the 15 pounds.

the weight starting leaving after I got below 5mg but kept coming off as I tapered to zero. Since off I would say 8 pounds were while tapering, and at the rest after I was completely off.   My GP was mean, when she pushed me to diet and exercise when I was on pred. I told her I was but she said "well, its obviously not enough". Big surprise for her when I dropped the weight, I hope she learned from me about pred.

You right about being starving every second of your life. When I was on 20mg I woke up in the middle of the night eating weird food combos. Peanut butter on left over cold sausage is one I remember.Oh I know, Buckeye,

I am not advocating the way I eat.  I wanted to put focus on eating small meals and small in between snacks.  I have a very low appetite a lot of the times.  I have an upset stomach most of the times and yesterday that was all I could force myself eat in order to take my pills.  If I didn;t have pills to take I would probably eat nothing -- at times. my appetite is up and down.  i think that is part of having an autoimmune disease in my case..  My body wanted something cold to eat. so a turkey sandwhich was easy. I didn't have to make it myself and I could add salad, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil and vinegar to it.

However, tuna sandwhiches for dinner with a salad on it is usually how I eat.  I am finding it difficult to eat hot foods at the moment.  It will pass soon.  However, to satisfy hunger cravings and not turn to that tuna sandwhich all of the time, the celerysticks and carrot sticks help me and the fruit which I don't really suggest, satisfies my sweet tooth with natural sugar..  It will be different for every body. but eating little and often works for many.  I already assume everyone knows specific foods to avoid, like starchy foods, breads, white potoates, pasta, etc. this is just an example of what works for me, you can take away from it what helps you and toss the rest.

I just want to add an article about healthy/good fats too.  Since what works for me in the weight department is a grazing diet, eating little and often, especially while on prednisone, I say low-fat snacks not fat-free snacks because even too much of a good fat can be fattening:

 

Healthy fats

When choosing fats, your best options are unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats, if used in place of others, can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in your blood. Cholesterol, which your body produces for building cells, is the main substance in fatty deposits (plaques) that can develop in your arteries. Plaques that build up can reduce blood flow through your vessels, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

 

One type of polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, may be especially beneficial to your heart. Omega-3s appear to decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. They may also protect against irregular heartbeats and help lower blood pressure levels.

 

Here are the differences as well as the best food sources of these healthy fats:

 

Monounsaturated fat remains liquid at room temperature but may start to solidify in the refrigerator. Foods high in monounsaturated fat include olive, peanut and canola oils. Avocados and most nuts also have high amounts of monounsaturated fat.

Polyunsaturated fat is usually liquid at room temperature and in the refrigerator. Foods high in polyunsaturated fats include vegetable oils, such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soy and cottonseed oils.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats found mostly in seafood. Good sources of omega-3s include fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Flaxseeds, flax oil and walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, and small amounts are found in soybean and canola oils.

 

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat/NU00262

 

diet low carb is the key to solve that problemBirdgirrl- did you have to be completely off to lose the weight? I only take 2 mgs and I have 5-7 lbs of stubborn weight.
On the high doses I had to go to bed just to stop eating. The hunger is insatiable. Even when I was full I was compelled to put food in my face.
I don't have that now and I am good. I usually eat 1200-1500 calories a day to no avail.
I've gone from 45mg. down to 5.5 mg. daily and have only lost 10 lbs. of the 50 lb.s that I gained over 4 years time.   It may have to do with my age or exercise level.  My body has changed shape but the weight loss is stubborn.  I have added more exercise and hopefully I'll start seeing a loss.  Everyone is so different, even our fat cells respond differently!  Lindy I know that exercise is key but I am soooo fatigued. I just can't get moving.

edited because brain fog would not allow me to remember how to spell exercise even though I just read it in Lin's post... wanttobeRAfree2009-01-18 19:18:49yeah I think exercise is a big part of it too.  I have been told I need to be more active, but also have a lot of fatigue, muscle pain and weakness.  staying in shape is tough enough but to add in a chronic pain condition, makes it tougher.  they are building a new gym near our subdivision. If has a swimming pool, I may join for that reason. because at least in the water you feel weightless and can accomplish more activity with little effort.  lack of physical fitness compounds and worsens the fatigue, muscle pain and weakness..even taking a short brisk walk in the morning and in the evening will helpYou are absolutely right buckeye yet I still make excuses.  Oh I wish I could find the motivation I need... I agree Buckeye,

However, I would have to drive to even to do. which will probably not happen on a regular basis. 

Now I do think about just walking back and forth on the patio out back and that is what I would probably do like one of those hamsters inthat little ferris wheel thing, but my backyard is extremely slanted and I am very unsteady on my feet. or I would just walk around outside my house. and nothing but hilly bumpy woods out back.  I would probably break my neck trying to walk.  I have to drive up my driveway to get my mail. However, I am going to get up enough courage and brave the cold to at least walk the patio a couple of laps with my walker.  I am actually looking forward to being active again. walking 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week used to be my way of staying healthy. but ra doesn't care how healthy or active you are it shows up anyway. I am not afraid of a little activity i enjoy it. but I have to be safe too.

WanttobeRAfree,

we should live near each other as motivation buddies.  I don't mind walking but I am wimpy when it comes to getting out in the cold.

my teeth chatter and my whole head shakes.  It's comical to watch.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com