Comments on: Keeping Off The Prednisone Pounds

By: Hopeto Inspire

Hopeto Inspire — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:55:42 +0000

I’ve been on prednisone for 2 years now. At first it was a life saver as I’ve been battling Asthma symptoms. After about 2 mos. I noticed that I’d gained 10lbs and I wasn’t happy, but I was ok with it because the prednisone helped me breathe. As my doctors tried to taper me off, I noticed that my breathing wasn’t improving and I’d have to use my rescue inhalers more. So, they’d put me back on prednisone at higher doses ( prednisone bursts) and didn’t taper me. They’d give me 50mg for like 5 days, along with a corticosteroid inhaler (Advair). I’d end up back in the ER or hospital, then in the ER they’d give me 125mg of Solu-medrol injections (prednisone), then send me home with a taper. By this point, I noticed that I’d gained 50lbs in 3 mos. Now I was worried. They sent me to see a pulmonologist, who then switched me to Symbicort, along with a prednisone taper from 60mg by 10mg every 3 days. By the time I got to 10mg, I’d end up back in the ER. They then sent me to get a sleep study and found that due to all of the wgt. I’d gained now up to 70lbs, I’d developed sleep apnea, then to make matters worse the fat distribution was in my face, neck, shoulders, and back. I was miserable. They sent me to the Endocrinologist because of the tsh levels indicated that I had hypothyroidism (which prednisone suppresses your immune system causing Autoimmune disease). The Endocrinologist told me that I have Hoshimoto( an autoimmune disease) and I need to work with my pulmonologist to get OFF the prednisone. Still having difficulty breathing with Symbicort and the multiple dosing of prednisone, they wanted me to try Spiriva (which is usually for COPD), the Spiriva dryed my mouth and caused severe post-nasal drip, so they changed it to Spiriva Respimat, which takes my breath away, but gives some relief. Not enough relief to allow me to completely rid myself of Prednisone, so they add Dulera, then Qvar, and now they’ve offered me Xolair injections. I’ve opted out of taking Xolair shots due to the risk of cerebral, cardio, and pulmonary embolism, not to mention various forms of Cancer. My doctors have almost given up. I’ve now been up and down from 125mg to 10mg and back for the last 5mos. I am worst than where I started. I’ve now seen an ENT doctor that says my exacerbations of Asthma may come from GERD( which is due to prolong prednisone use). He ordered a barium swallow that said,” there was no GERD, but in fact a Hiatal Hernia” due to coughing, straining, trying to breathe.

I am now over 100lbs heavier and I have edema all over my body. I am now being seen by the Rheumatologist, who believes that I have seronegative RA due to prolonged prednisone use. My breathing still hasn’t improved and they now want me to take Methotrexate for RA symptoms. Since my mobility is an issue( due to excessive wgt. gained), the arthritis in my knee, feet, hands, and back have been debilitating. The only good thing I can say is prednisone helps with my back and knee pain, that wakes up when I get to 10mg of prednisone, which is rare. I am now trying to taper again, with the hope of a bi-pap machine, and acid reflux meds, along with 3 inhalers, 3 nasal sprays, and 2 antihistamines and a diuretic. I feel like I could eat the whole house; I buy healthy foods, but I end up stopping at a drive-thru or sending my son to the store for chips. I crave Mountain Dew and Chocolate. Every morning I start out with a banana, but end my night with a soda or some chips or chocolate. When I’m down to 10mg, the cravings aren’t as bad, but I can’t seem to get there, so I’m battling a monster! I don’t even recognize myself in the mirror. It’s gotten so bad, that I only buy clothes with an elastic waist or a drawstring. This medicine was a blessing that has turned into a curse! The only way that I know how to get my life back is to try to educate myself as much as possible and do as much as I can to combat the effects of the drug by taking an active roll in my health.

1) I can’t just take every drug given to me without getting a second opinion and requesting some sort of test to confirm the reason I’m taking it.

2) Even if it’s just doing some breathing exercises; I need to start to prepare my body to fight by exercising.

3) I have to eat healthier; rather it’s smaller portions of meat and more veggies( rotating my meals), less starches.

4) Adding new foods that may be more exciting to try.

5) Calling someone that will support me in my efforts, when I want to give in to cravings.

6) Doing an activity that gets my mind off of the wgt, and my meds.

I hope my list helps someone. Thanks for listening !!!

By: Cilla O'Fiel

Cilla O'Fiel — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:34:21 +0000

I have had an autoimmune disease for the last 18 years. At first I was put on 20 mg of pred then reduced to 10 mg. for a long time. Then I was gradually reduced to 5 mg. I stayed on this dose for over 15 years. All was well until I had a bladder sling which came with massive infections. The problems with one antibiotic after another started to cause prednisone problems. At first I was thought to have allergies to the antibiotics.However after discovering that the antibiotics made the pred less effective they increased my dosage up to 7.5 mg for the last two years. I still have days ( too many ) that I’m flat on my back unable to move in pain. Now the drs. believe it is the pred. causing the problem. Once before they tried to get me off the prednisone only to be sent to ER for pred. injections and plenty of painkiller. If anyone out there has had a similar problem and a solution please help! By the way my weight has balooned 65lbs. Now I have to lose weight to have a surgery that might save my life. I wish that I had never heard of that drug!

By: Brenda Gaines Hunter

Brenda Gaines Hunter — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 18:51:09 +0000

I sometimes take prednisone, too. I think whether you lose weight, whether your weight stays the same, or whether you gain weight depends on a number of factors. If whatever inflammation you were experiencing caused water retention and the prednisone resolved the issue, you may lose weight. If you stay moderately active and watch your calories, you may maintain your weight. If you were not experiencing water retention, and you are not moderately active nor do you watch your calories, you will gain weight. Your appetite will likely pick up, but that doesn’t mean break out the buckets of fried chicken and large pizzas. Eat air popped pop corn. Drink lots of water. Cut sodium. Up postassium. Cut carbs, especially simple carbs. A low-cal Gatorade and a multivitamin each day. Lots of vegetables. Spare the dressings and butter… For the over all sake of our health, we need to not feel sorry for ourselves and make adjustments.

By: Kiran

Kiran — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:26:12 +0000

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 11. I recently started a blog to help people better understand arthritis. I’m not a doctor so I won’t be able to tell you what medications are good or bad, but I will be discussing exercises, diets, and my experience with different treatments. No one should feel alone in this, especially a child.
http://kiranchattha.wordpress.com

By: Kate @ Cooking with Arthur

Kate @ Cooking with Arthur — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:58:55 +0000

Just put a couple of popcorn recipes up and linked back to here. Thanks for the inspiration!