I was diagnosed with PMR a week ago. Began Prednisone 10 mg. daily and pain relief was almost instant. Can walk again!!! Thing I'm wondering though...does *everyone* who takes Prednisone gain weight?
My doctor told me to be careful about eating a healthy diet and weight gain *could* be a problem, but is it always? I've cut carbs and fat intake way down and hope to be able to begin a low impact type exercise program, beginning very slowly and building up some stamina and hopefully my energy level. So, will I get fat even though I'm taking these steps to avoid it???
I am not sure if prednizone is always the cause of weight gain, I do know it makes you have a ravenous appetite, you want to eat even if you are not hungry. I gained 15 lbs while on my treatment for PMR from the prednizone, I know I am over eating and I really need to stop, but it is always I'll start tomorrow. Am way down on my dose now so I hope to start losing a little weight. Good luck and welcome to our group. ___________________Hi!
I lost about 12 lbs before I was diagnosed. After starting with pred I stayed on the lower weight for one year, but now I am up 2 lbs. I eat what I did before (healthy food) and I also have wine for dinner a couple of days a week.
I also try to walk 30-40 minutes every day but I am sometimes lazy. We have just been 5 days in London, UK and then we did a lot of walking. I just had to take it a bit easy but felt fine. I guess I am one of the lucky ones in the PMR club. To-day I found out that my sed was too high and also the blood pressure, so I will have to stay some more time on 5 mg and also Cozaar comp against the blood pressure.
Ragnar
Hi, and welcome to Spider's Mom -
I've been on prednisone for PMR since the end of Feb 2006 - so almost 11 months (I'm 56). I haven't had any noticeable weight gain - I've been wanting to lose 10 or 15 lbs for the last couple of years but I guess I haven't been trying hard enough. Anyway, I'm still wearing jeans from before PMR, so it can't be that bad.
I was at 15 mg. of prednisone at most, down to 4 mg for a few weeks, now at 7 mg. and holding for a while. Some days I'm a little stiffer than others and have to sit down to put on my socks. Other days I feel almost "normal". I keep quite active - have a hobby farm with horses so have barn chores almost every day, plus walk the dog, and am working 30 hrs per week at a desk job. I ride when I can, which isn't too often in the winter due to weather and darkness.
I did have some blood sugar problems causing vision fluctuations with the prednisone, but they cleared up right away when I started taking chromium picolinate and biotin to offset the chromium depletion caused by the prednisone - note that from what I've read, just taking chromium supplements doesn't help - it has to be the picolinate form and taken with biotin. Your body needs the chromium to help insulin do its job - google "chromium picolinate and corticosteroid induced diabetes" for more info.
Good luck to you!
I feel soooo much better just having found this board! You folks are full of good information and are so nice. My sincere thanks for the nice welcome!
I was on prednisone for 3 months before the side effects started to show. I never got the "moon" face, but my face did get a bit fuller and my eyes are puffy. My neck and under my chin are also puffy/full. I have gained 10 pounds....and it's not from over eating. I was 4 pounds overweight when I started on pred....
Just keep doing what you are doing., it will be good for your mood, spirit and body. And everyone is different with prednisone. I have read that women have more of tendancy to gain than men....so what else is new
Welcome and keep us posted.
Janet/calif
I was on prednisone for 8 months and did not gain any weight. In fact, I never felt especially hungry. It is true, that I was always on a low dose. I started at 7.5 mg per day and decreased every month. I did have bruising and developed osteoporosis. I did not change my eating habits (vegetarian who rarely has dessert) and I tried to keep exercising, doing as much as the pain and stiffness would allow. After reading all of these forums, I have concluded that everybody's body reacts differently to the prednisone. Just be aware of what yours is doing and adjust accordingly.