My doc has switched me from prednisone to budesonide.However I still have swelling in the face and also tremendous weight gain specially in the stomach area.The doc says this will reduce gradually.Can someone confirm this as right now I feel like a pregnant cow!
Did anyone have weight gain and swelling from prednisone and did it go away?
Question posted by madiga on 22 Sep 2010
Last updated on 10 December 2019
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22 Answers Page 2
After losing a drastic 40 lbs in a month and dropping to 116lbs I was admitted for for days on liquid prednisone. When I was out I was put on a large pill dosage of prednisone and gained 96lbs. It wasn't fun! But when I was off of it I started shedding weight simply from being off bed rest and walking. Also because I couldn't eat enough to support my current weight. Now I exercise every day. It's really tough to get rid of though.
I have been taking Budesonide for almost 2 1/2 years and I also feel like a pregnant cow!! I am just PRAYING that this weight will go away as soon as I stop taking them! I am greatful that the meds helped me - but feeling/being so heavy is having quite the effect on my self esteem!!
Oh yes - I forgot; I have NO appetite what-so-ever! I can go DAYS w/o eating. and yet, i've gained 30 pounds. Bummer. Very depressing. ;-/
edodd1943-I too had the same affect from hydrocortisone: my once normal body became so swollen in the midsection, I appeared 9 months pregnant.
I have no appetite. Force myself to eat.
Once I figured out the cause, I stopped the Med. How long does it take to return to normal? I am deformed & ashamed to be seen.
Yes you will gain weight, but you'll feel a lot better. But swelling in the face and specially in the stomach, that's how it is. And of course once you stop using it, the swelling will be reduced, but gradually. Finally and more important is the way you feel, NOT the way you look. Thanks God that you have access to this medicine and it worked for you and now there's something else that hopefuly will work for you
I've been on Prednisone for over 3 years! I look like a pregnant cow! And I feel worse! If I knew I was going to feel and look like this- I NEVER would have started the Prednisone!
I was on prednisone for a year and a half so man do i feel you. They put me on it for crohn's and not only was it not effective i gained 50 pounds. i refuse to take it any more, for anything since it was never effective in cutting down on bleeding anyway. i would give anything to get my old body back.
Exactly how i look ... pregnant and like a sausage stuffed into clothes... whereas before i was slim and model like... i look like a distorted version of myself... shallow hal
I've been taking Prednisone for about 5 years now. Anywhere between 10-60mg a day. I have horrible sinus infections and this is the only medication (along with 7 surgeries) that helps me breathe. Before taking it I was 5'1 about 115 pounds soaking wet. I've always been active and I usually eat healthy. I now weight about 213. I've gained the most in my stomach area. I look well over 9 months pregnant. I have buffalo hump and the typical moon face. When I started the medication I didn't know the side effects and was never warned. I was wondering why I wanted to eat more and more, finally looked it up! Holy crap the side effects are crazy! I'm still on a low dose of 10mg a day. Have not lost weight yet. Still eating healthy, but I am unable to exercise like I used to due to the weight. I feel your pain!
Dreadful! Maybe add sinus drainage massage twice a day.. google, it you do it with your head leaned back below your chin. The weight gain, moon face, thinning skin, hair loss, muscle breakdown, buffalo hump and body shape change are all there with cortisol/adrenal problems, fatigue. I have taken it for 12 years ... late onset asthma... and gone from effortless model shape great skin and long hair to a fat fat. Am working on the researched raw broccoli plus mustard cure for asthma and lung repair.
Every time my son goes on pred, he gains waight and gets the moon face. He usually loses it all in a month or so after stopping the meds. I always have to remind him that it is worth it, so It is worth it to feel better! I hope that you feel better & remember that you are still you and not a pergo cow!!!
YES!!! Any form of steroid, whether it be administered orally or intravenously will cause weight gain (sometimes significant, dependent on the dose). My first "meeting" with IV steroids was for approximately one week in the hospital for a Crohn's exacerbation... tapering dose over those few days. I was discharged on Prednisone 100mg daily, along with almost 30 extra pounds. You will lose this weight over time with the tapering of the steroids, as long as your caloric intake and exercise routine continue. Have lots of patience... steroids are tough... you'll get off of them and return to normal. Good luck!
though i have not taken prednisone, i know someone who did for approx. 6 mo. and had a lot of weight gain. when i read up on it, i found that it was not a drug one should take for a long period of time due to its possible side effects. losing weight, count the calories you have each day and be honest with yourself, stay within the amt. for the weight you should be at and you will lose the weight. of course exercise too - make it something you like doing and it won't be a chore. there are books to buy that help with the amount of calories in each portion of food you eat, and usually have a chart for the weight/calorie ratio. keep track for each day in a notebook, calories, what and when you ate, exercise, and weight. takes time, but it will work. and of course don't eat after 7pm.
The corticosteroids affect lipid metabolism and redistribute fat to moon face, buffalo hump, belly, breasts, neck and cause the hunger as food is not going to normal body usage but towards the cortisol mimicking fat redistribution.
Jolly telling the suffer it's up to them to eat less is not the solution, we will still suffer the metabolic changes and adrenals being less and lees active.. aldosterone, dhea and the many hormones which are severely reduced under the corticosteroid feedback on the adrenals
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), crohn's disease, budesonide, prednisone, weight, swelling
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