Prednisone - Weight Gain?

cobes24

It makes some people feel really hungry...when I prescribe it I just warn people to watch what they're eating as they may be more munchy than normal. If you were on it long term then wt gain (and the moon face/big belly) are more of an issue.

acksaysbillthecat

Hi Jess,
I was on it for a short period as well. What I experienced is that it made my stomach hurt (pretty badly) at night, therefore I wanted to eat just to get the hurting to stop. It did stop hurting when I ate. So I probably added a pound or two. I didn't actually make me hungry, but I am sensitive to meds. Clare

ksims7572

I've been on prednisone for just over 2 years. As I was cycled up and down, (taper, flare, up the dose, taper, flare) for the first 18 months I was able to minimize the weight gain, but these last six months I ballooned with the belly, neck pads, hump and moon face. A total of 20 lbs. The doctors had been telling me not to worry, the weight would come off once I got off the medicine, but now they are talking about a maintenance dose and I've had 2 doctors tell me that it's difficult to get the weight off. I'm hoping this website and app will help, since writing down what I eat is the one thing I know that has worked in the past.

californiansun

I was recently on it for 10 days and I gained 4 pounds, you become very hungry. I was on it for most of 2011 and I gained over 30 pounds. Try not to be on it too long, but it does make you feel better!

emigema

I started taking 60 mg of Prednisone 5 days ago. According to the doctor I will be on it for about 6 months. Even though it is going to make me feel better I am paranoid about gaining weight and the puffy face. I am logging down everything I eat and being VERY careful eating low cal and low sodium food. Once I feel better I will be able to run again which I know will help me out alot to maintain the least amount of weight gain(hopefully). It will take about a month before i start feeling better. How long will it take before I will start seeing the weight gain and the puffy face?

Crohns2013

Prednisone is awful stuff, at high doses. I doubt 6 days at a pretty low one will cause any issues though. I was on high dose pred. for about 4 months, gained 20lbs (more from being unable to do anything, lots of hospital and laying on the couch time, then eating too much) and the best part? I still ended up with major surgery. The meds didn't work.

ConnieKay1

Yes, fellow asthmatic here. You wont feel well enough to gain weight until you get your breathing under control, then boom it sneaks up on you a few weeks later. My advice is whenever you go on prednisone cut out desserts and alcohol for a few months and don't give it a chance to get you. I have had several dose packs of prednisone and they do lead to weight gain.