Losing weight while on medication

Hi I'm on steroids eyedrops a dancer and a chasamba dance fitness instructor.
I'm probably the only over weight fitness instructor you'll ever meet.
My doctors say it's down to my steroid eyedrops.
That every month they add 7 lbs to my weight.
Unfortunately I'm on these probably for life unless I grow out of the diease or they find a cure.
I had a Mot by the specialist the other week and he said I'm fitter than some footballers he's given medicals too.
Just shame it comes in this figure :(

Doesn't help my job.
Anyone else struggling while they're on medication?

Replies

  • gillie80
    gillie80 Posts: 214 Member
    yup. I'm on hydroxychloroquine for lupus and while i exercise like a mad woman and eat healthily sometimes i struggle to lose. i ought to be a snug size 12 by now lol. it plays havoc with my metabolism, my local neighbourhood nurse tells me. still, the scales are moving in the right direction most of the time. its quite discouraging sometimes but try to stay positive.
  • barkernandh
    barkernandh Posts: 1 Member
    I have Psoriatic Arthritis and have had several medications over the years which have added ten pounds here or there. It's frustrating because weight further compounds the problems of arthritis. As long as I don't let it get me down and keep moving, eating right, then I feel better and the scale has started to move down again. But it's definitely a struggle!
  • Ylier04
    Ylier04 Posts: 4 Member
    @gillie80 I also have lupus and am on hydroxychloroquine as well as many other meds. I never once thought to put the two together.
  • jenngitch
    jenngitch Posts: 190 Member
    op ... your EYEDROPS are causing weight gain?
  • HippySkoppy
    HippySkoppy Posts: 725 Member
    I have a different experiences of weight gain from the meds. mentioned by the Op and subsequent posters.

    I am one oral steroids (base line 15 mg up to 30 mg for flares) for over the last 3 years, also use steroid eye drops, plaquenil and Mycophenolate to all try to control the Lupus.

    I think being aware of the side effects of increased appetite and being really diligent with logging can help, I haven't gained any weight, in fact I am struggling to maintain my weight and it is all down to extra care.

    I don't want to come across as harsh here but the truth is that weight gain cannot occur in a vacuum and even the older anti-depressants I have been trialing as pain modifying drugs have had no impact.

    You may find that these drugs make you crave quick release carb type foods and if this has increased then try having a tweak of your macros to help with cravings and maintain fullness for longer....perhaps increasing proteins, fats and fibre.

    Don't despair....please. Steroids aren't the end point and you can reign in the weight gain despite some myths still out there loudly shouting different.

    Good luck to everyone.
  • Cheesy567
    Cheesy567 Posts: 1,186 Member
    edited May 2016
    I'm on 60mg prednisone daily for Myasthenia Gravis.

    Low-carb helps tame the cravings best for me. Weightloss on meds is possible, just takes a different approach and a different timeline.

    For everyone posting, there's a group for Fitness and Autoimmunity, if you want to join others with Lupus, Hashimotos, Chron's, APLS, MG, MS, etc!
  • danaseasons
    danaseasons Posts: 1 Member
    I was on colitalopram for about 7 months and gained 40 pounds . Didn't know until I went to the doctor and found out I was on an in regulated amount way to high and that's why I was gaining weight . Always ask what you're meds are doing to you and watch for the side effects
  • ImWithHer
    ImWithHer Posts: 19 Member
    godivajive wrote: »
    Hi I'm on steroids eyedrops a dancer and a chasamba dance fitness instructor.
    I'm probably the only over weight fitness instructor you'll ever meet.
    ...

    Doesn't help my job.
    Anyone else struggling while they're on medication?

    Pleased to meet you! I'm an overweight certified fitness instructor and certified personal trainer. I taught up until an injury kept me off the stage about a year ago, in all my chubby glory. My RHR is high 40s, so I know I'm fit. I'm also on meds that help me gain. Suuuuper frustrating.
    Friend me, if you'd like.