Prednisone for Asthma issues--Carb Cravings/Weight Gain
provitasemper
Posts: 12 Member
My doctors have had me on Prednisone "bursts" five times in the last 9 months due to flare-ups/allergic reactions, and I did benefit from it by having my breathing improved. They've been trying to get my asthma/allergies under control.
But...side effect is I've gained 17 pounds since 2/1/19 (17 pounds in 2.5 months!).
Has anyone else experienced Prednisone weight gain like this, and been able to lose it again quickly?
I'm very dismayed about this, as I had about 40 pounds to lose before the Prednisone, so now I have about 57 to lose! And I'm 47 and have just started getting hot flashes and other change-of-life occurences, so fear that my already-sluggish metabolism will stall out on me!
But...side effect is I've gained 17 pounds since 2/1/19 (17 pounds in 2.5 months!).
Has anyone else experienced Prednisone weight gain like this, and been able to lose it again quickly?
I'm very dismayed about this, as I had about 40 pounds to lose before the Prednisone, so now I have about 57 to lose! And I'm 47 and have just started getting hot flashes and other change-of-life occurences, so fear that my already-sluggish metabolism will stall out on me!
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Replies
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Will you be on a continuing dose of Prednisone? Johns Hopkins med site warns about Prednisone redistibuting body fat to places like the face, back of neck, and abdomen. Also to watch for bone thinning (Osteoporosis even in males and young people), cataracts, and steroid-induced diabetes.
Hopefully you will be able to lower dose or even get off it at some point in time (I'm not suggesting - as I am not a doctor involved in your care). Of course, if one weighs being able to breathe against gaining some weight, breathing takes precedence.
I can commiserate, I am on a med that promotes weight gain as a side effect too, and I'm 20 lbs over maintenance goal at the moment, where I had been for 4 years. I've already been through change of life and that didn't seem to make much difference for me, but everyone has a different experience. You will find that keeping very low in carbs will likely help lessen or even end hot flashes, as will upping any mild exercise you can do, like brisk walking or cycling, etc. Good luck, all I can say is be very strict with your eating plan, a bit of a cheat here & there may not matter much to some people's results, but when we are dealing with these kinds of 'gain' issues, every little bit counts.
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Isn't that a steroid? Maybe take up weight lifting - if the drug is going to make you gain weight any way, gaining muscle is far better than gaining fat.
As for controlling the appetite, maybe try high volume but low calorie foods like leafy greens, and plenty of protein for satiety.
The only weight gain that can be lost quickly is water weight, so stay hydrated and get plenty of fluids and that should start dropping of if there is any.0 -
Oh lordy. Yes. I've been on prednisone three times (for a short time each time) and each time I gained weight like crazy. UGH!
I found, for me, that menopause was about 18 months of intense hunger, carb cravings, and unsteady blood sugar.0
