Weight loss and prednisone DO NOT mix!

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Natzmom
Natzmom Posts: 15 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am trying to maintain a 20+ lb loss. I have been pretty successful for over a year, but recently found I have deteriorating discs in my lower back (bye bye Zumba

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  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,180 Member
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    Natzmom wrote: »
    I am trying to maintain a 20+ lb loss. I have been pretty successful for over a year, but recently found I have deteriorating discs in my lower back (bye bye Zumba

    Make sure you log your food and stick to your calorie goal as it is a calorie deficit that brings weight loss. Exercise can help with that, but is not necessary. Sticking to your calorie goal is also important as prednisone increases appetite along with possible water retention. Logging calories can keep the increase eating due to increase appetite in check.
  • Natzmom
    Natzmom Posts: 15 Member
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    Yep, definitely feeling the bloat. I think I might be panicking over nothing. Thanks for your reply!
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
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    That sucks that you need to find an new activity that won't exacerbate your back.

    Usually your specialist can advise on the sorts of exercise that may be suitable.

    Corticosteroids such as prednisone can increase appetite and add water weight but that is only part of the picture when looking at the complex effects of synthetic hormones.

    Long term use of these kinds of drugs (while necessary in many conditions) can lead to metabolic changes, fat redistribution (in odd places and on visceral areas such as around the liver) and also muscle wasting. Even short term use can cause hyperglycaemia and mental changes.

    If you're going to be on these medications long term it's worth having a big chat to your doc about combating or at the very least monitoring some of the potential side effects in a way that is safe for your back, in addition of course to doing what you can with diet and so forth.

    So sorry that you have to give up an activity you enjoy.
  • Natzmom
    Natzmom Posts: 15 Member
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    I totally plan on getting back to dancing once my back issues are addressed. I finished the prednisone today (hallelujah!) and hope it leaves my system quickly. I am not going to let this hold me back. Just wanted to post in case someone else out there has dealt with the same thing. Thank you so much for your input, lizery! All of you out there, don't let the speed bumps slow you down! :)
  • glenelliott5872
    glenelliott5872 Posts: 150 Member
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    I was on Pred for 18 months and ballooned. It isn't just water weight. It is more than just making you feel hungry. But after you come off it then you should be able to lose the weight again
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
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    Natzmom wrote: »
    I totally plan on getting back to dancing once my back issues are addressed. I finished the prednisone today (hallelujah!) and hope it leaves my system quickly. I am not going to let this hold me back. Just wanted to post in case someone else out there has dealt with the same thing. Thank you so much for your input, lizery! All of you out there, don't let the speed bumps slow you down! :)

    How long were you on it and what was your starting dose? I've been on high doses but because I have crohn's and eating was incredibly painful I maintained my (very low) weight. At first I retained fluid but once I got down to 50mg I shed it all through horrible sweating every time I fell asleep (I had to change the sheets/johney shirt every time as it was soaked, good thing I was in the hospital) and peeing like a race horse.
  • whiplashy
    whiplashy Posts: 52 Member
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    I've been on pred since September and have piled on the weight. Reducing my dose at the moment and hope to be off it completely by the end of Feb. The weight is starting to shift but slower than I'd like.
  • LittleDoodlePoodle
    LittleDoodlePoodle Posts: 154 Member
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    I have back issues, and understand your medication woes! My drugs were for depression, not the back pain, but they also made me expand. 40 lbs gained in one year, and no matter what I've done, they won't go away.

    Like all the successful people before us, consistency is key.

    We can do this!
  • Piperx222
    Piperx222 Posts: 68 Member
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    I have to go on prednisone in cycles when I have a bad Lupus flare up. Hate that stuff. Lots of water to help flush your system :-)
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
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    I wish I gained weight on prednisone. I lost half my hair, was moody, night sweats, and completely wired but no energy. The drug sucks! I wish you the best of luck now that you're off it!
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
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    Good luck. I have c-spine issues and have much empathy. Hope you are feeling better soon.
  • Natzmom
    Natzmom Posts: 15 Member
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    Thanks, all! I was taking 40mg per day for 5 days. Haven't had to take it in years, but needed to breathe! It made my back feel good, though! :) Have been off for 2 days and back is starting to get tight again. Stretching and I may actually purchase an inversion table (one of my doc's suggestions). I have been researching them and they seem to give people really good results. I hardly ate anything while on the prednisone and gained 3 pounds. Sheesh! I am guzzling water and hoping to flush everything outa there! Just another speed bump.

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