I have been on prednisone for two months. My face and neck are all swollen. Will this go away when I eventually get off the prednisone? I feel awful!
Prednisone - My face and neck are all swollen, will this go away?
Question posted by murmur0302 on 18 April 2013
Last updated on 14 December 2020
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22 Answers Page 2
Valeri2
8 Sep 2016
3 months for me. Started at 100mg, now at 60. Still swollen at face and shoulders near neck but getting used to it (as opposed to the alternative). I hear swelling goes away at lower doses. Good luck to you and stay strong.
Natasha1331
7 Sep 2016
It's nice to read about side effects that others are dealing with too..maybe we should get t-shirts that say.. "Prednisone patient"..my appearance has dramatically changed, it's depressing yet incredible, how fast this medication changes your whole body and mind. And others notice the changes too.. I was on 80 MG for an eye condition and now I am being tapered down being on 20 MG til Friday. I've been decreasing by 10 weekly..exercising doesn't seem to help either.
Inactive
5 Dec 2016
I'm so glad that I've been reading the side effects of prednisone. I've been on a small dose for 5 months. My dermatologist said that's been way too long and am not being weaned off of them. I feel like my face and neck look swollen, but no one else thinks so. I can see the difference in my pictures. Ugh! Do you know how long it takes for the swelling to go down? I have my son's wedding coming up in a few months. :(
The Heath
4 Sep 2017
Good to read your comment. I have been on prednisone for 2 months, now tapered to half, 50mg to 25mg. My family and friends said my face hasn't changed (I was asking my daughter daily, lol) they all said no! Then I saw my first picture since being on prednisone, didn't look like me at all!!! They lied to me! Son gets married inv2 weeks, I'm not happy about it
jackiegreenham
4 Sep 2016
I was taking 40 mg of prednisone for 2 weeks than 35mg and steadily decreasing. It wasn't working so the doctors added 1 g of Solumedrol a day with the prednisone. My face looks like a planet!!! OMG! I've been on steroids for a couple of months. My last IV was a few days ago. The swelling is crazy and I'm not seeing any change so far. I know I have gained weight but not that badly. Its onviously swelling. I hope this goes down soon because it's making me depressed.
disciple1776
22 May 2016
Been on 80mg for 2 months. The swelling won't be as bad if you can control your diet and drink tons of water. I drink a gallon of water a day and eat a strict fruits, vegetables and lean meat diet. The swelling in my body is pretty minimal.
You're not going to dodge it completely, but I hear many people blame prednisone for things like weight gain, face swelling, ect. But, I switched to this strict diet after ending up in the hospital (same time they put me on the preddie) and I've actually lost 25 lbs (went from 195-170) and feel 1000xs better than I ever have. I'm tapering now (down to 20mg a day). So, I'm excited to see how things end up with the crap totally out of my system. But from all the things I've read, your body will generally go back to just the way it was pre-preddie. Once you're off it long enough.
Diet though. Can't overstate it. It's important!
Valeri2
3 July 2016
Thank you for this - been on 100 mg for a month - changed diet but probably need to up the H2O
Mikchey
3 July 2016
It has nothing to do with controlling your weight or diet. I've been on Prednisone 5 times, this time I have the moon face, swelling in hands and feet. It will go down but don't know how long it will take to do that. This is a side effect of the drug. The longer you are on it the higher risk for side effects.
12Beau
11 Aug 2016
I have a Microscopic Poly Angiitis. I started Prednisone @ 50 mg for 4 months. I'm now decreasing and am at 15mg. I'm exercising and watching my diet but I've gained 20 pounds and exhibit the round belly, back hump, fatty neck and Moon Face. I don't recognize myself in the mirror, I'm exhausted, and I just want to look normal again. When I first started Prednisone I had the most ravenous appetite EVER. After a meal my stomach would bloat badly even making it hard to breath. Diet will not stop the Moon Face or probably any of the other side affects. But if you can control that ravenous hunger then that would be good for you. :). Good luck
RBOSCHEE
17 June 2017
I have started drinking lots of water after being put back on prednisone. .I was on 40 then 60 then 40 20 now 10 ... I don't really have an appetite ..I drink coffee tea & water I eat protien veggies & some fruit... With not a whole lot of carbs... I'm extremely tired I'm in horrible pain all over like I'm bruised... & I have swelled up like a balloon! I don't eat any more then I did before..In fact it makes me not hungry. .I've been on & off prednisone my whole life & sometimes I swell up & sometimes I dont! I was on for my first 24 years of life but usually small doeses... sigh I don't believe it's related to diet.. of course if you just lay around & eat yes..that would be diet ... my diet hasnt changed & i was small before... my legs have swollen up almost over night! I have gained almost 25 lbs in 4 weeks ... 8 lbs in just a few days. My face hands neck back tummy & legs are all swollen.
.it's different then gaining weight.
My son is on 35 every other day & he is slim & trim ..no swelling!
Every ones body is different. .my tiredness comes from the anemia that I'm taking the pred for as well as being tapered off it.
Vickie601956
26 Sep 2017
What are the eat strict fruits
Vickie601956
26 Sep 2017
What are the eat strict fruits
Trishag6
19 Feb 2018
Your answer was very helpful to me. On predizone now. I did not know about drinking water but I will start today and diet also. Thanks for sharing. I have been craving sugar and hungry a lot. I am going to take your advice . Thanks again
Mikchey
19 Feb 2018
Prednisone makes you very hungry. I did gain some but once off of it , it took a few months for the swelling to go down which has nothing to do with food, fluids. It's a reaction to the drug. Just try to eat healthy as you can.
Bonnfire77
21 March 2016
I have been taking prednisone for nearly 3 months for pericarditis. Initially I began with 30 mgs and felt pretty great on it. I lost all the water weight I gained in the hospital and on the excessive dose of ibuprofen they had me on previously for the pericarditis. Then I had a relapse and got up'd to 40 mgs. Again for a week I felt pretty great, almost manic and thought I would avoid all the weight gain and mood swings I'd been warned about. But a few weeks later I had put on ten pounds. (From 120-130lbs) Granted I was caving to carb cravings but I generally do not eat excessive calories. I had aquired the round belly and my face was swollen and there was constant pressure behind my eyes. I didn't recognize my reflection. She was puffy and old:( I think this made me depressed alone but and I found it hard to focus or be motivated to do anything. Even as I tapered to 30 mgs and 20 no change.
Today I have been down to 10 mgs for 3 days now, and I think the swelling and pressure in my face is beginning to subside. I know from here on out I'm going to have to taper in smaller increments, probably to 5mgs and then maybe even 2.5 to avoid withdrawal but I'd be happy if I could reverse the weight gain in my belly, and I'm even feeling motivated to join the gym again and get started. Anyone else feel like life gets better at these smaller doses? And for those of you that are beginning to taper I just want to encourage you! I'm not sure how quickly everyone bounces back but even after 2 days on 10 mgs I think I recognize my face better today. Also, I notice taking the prednisone as soon as I get out of bed on a little food helps. Sometimes I would wait a few hours and I think this set my adrenal system up for a roller coaster ride. Hope this helps. Feels good to share and too and to know the moon face and round belly and all the other nasty side effects are just the drug and reversible. Pred saved my life but it sure is hard on the body!
The Heath
4 Sep 2017
Thank you for sharing this. I have also been on prednisone for Pericarditis. Started it July 1st. 50mg now down to 25mg. I have the moon face and extended belly which is hard to take as I'm use to excercising regularly and staying in good shape. Since having Pericarditis, I can't do anything physical without feeling out of breath and my heart gets racing. I'm now down to 20mg this week. My son gets married in 2 weeks, and keeping my fingers crossed, one week of 10mg, my face will be down a bit. I may try the sauna thing a couple times before the wedding, lol. Anyway, just nice to share and know others are going through it with you. My other side affects most noted from the prednisone would be shakyness and foggy brain.
The Heath
15 Jan 2018
Since I posted in September, I have had Pericarditis 2 more times. Every time I get my prednisone down to 5 mg it comes back. Very frustrating;(
Mayawarrior
12 July 2018
Hi I just saw your answer and was wondering what happened with the pericarditis? My husband was in prednisone 40 mg two weeks for pericarditis, then tapered 2 weeks on 35, then 2 weeks on 30 and started having symptoms again.he's been back on 40 for 5 days and all ba k to "normal". He will be seeing a rheumatologist next week. How did things resolve with you?
endlessPred
20 April 2013
Hello. Glad I saw your question. I have been on prednisone for eight years continuously from huge doses in the hospital to 60 and down at home. And, yes, you can definitely be in it for years.
The swelling will go down. It is actually a special watery fat deposit that the prednisone makes (cortisol response). Other traits are a hump at back of neck, extended belly. The face is called moon face.
Here is the warning: DO NOT stop prednisone because of your appearance. Sudden stopping can put a susceptible person into heart problems, coma, aggression. Many possibilities. No one knows if they will have that effect. Slow tapering gets you off. I get moon face at 25mg or over, as I slowly taper, I get my face back. Be sure to tell your doctor if you get sick, trauma, or fevers over 100 F. Your ability to fight infection is slower.
How long you are on the medication depends upon what is being treated and how effective it is for your condition. Be sure to talk with your physician and let the doc know this is bothering you. Reading also helps and may make more sense since you are neither alone with these effects and that you can be better later. Your doctor will taper you properly. Stay strong.
murmur0302
21 April 2013
Thanks so much for the insight. I am fully aware that you have to taper off the prednisone slowly. I started at 40mg now down to 15mg per day. I feel as though I look like a balloon face! I don't feel like myself at all. I also have the round belly and the humpneck. A few other symptoms, shaky hands, very weak feeling, weak muscles.
Thank you again for your response.
endlessPred
21 April 2013
I didn't see what disease is being treated. However, it is good you are tapering. As I said, at 15mg you will start getting your face back. The rest recovers as it will and how active you are.
You have seen your doctor recently? Tested for strength? Just checking to be sure it is known about the strength. Be sure to exercise, or walk to keep your muscles strong, unless like me it is a muscle disease and legs feel like moving through sand. Then exercise carefully. Karen
murmur0302
22 April 2013
I have ankylosing spondylitis and am treating an eye inflammation as well.
speret
25 Nov 2013
I'm so glad I found your posts! I too have been on prednisone for over 2 months, and my face neck and stomach are huge!!! Every time I look in the mirror I don't even recognize myself anymore! So happy to hear that this will go away, seems like the weight keeps coming no matter what I do:( We will just have to hang in there!
endlessPred
28 Nov 2013
Because the weight is quick it will also settle. It is mostly water weight, and diuretics do little as the prednisone keeps replacing and all you do is spend your life in the bathroom night and day. Becomes hard on the kidneys. You also developed a new fat. It is in the places we have talked about. The body fat you had before is converted to this other watery fat. So you look huger even at the same weight. Food in becomes weight in if you don't adjust your diet. During hungry streaks, eat fibrous foods like apples, bananas, berries, whole oats. Take fiber supplements. It decreases hunger and satisfies the need to chew.
Like I said, if this is the worse of it I am very lucky indeed. When dealing with severe illness and chronic conditions, it is time to lose the vanity and be realistic. I gave up all that stuff. Don't forget. When you can taper down under 15 or so mg you start returning to normal. If you get off of it, and you remain as active as possible, you can return to the prior you.
Maryackerman
27 Oct 2014
I have been on and off prednisone for a nephrotic syndrome since 1997. I have had every side effect possible. However, it takes care of the relapses. Double edged sword. Currently, I was on 60 mg for 2.5 months and stepped down to 40 mg just about 2 weeks ago. Not feeling the reduction yet. Excessive sweating and ravenous hunger have been the latest and I have gained about 10 lbs in the past couple of weeks. The sweating is the worst and it happens all the time. Over the years, I've had to take it once or twice a year for a minimum of 4 - 5 months at a time with the step down process. It is good for folks to know the moon face, teddy bear hump, excessive hair on face, and hunger goes away. The weight gained takes a little more work.
Nicjunmat
3 Feb 2015
I'm having severe mood swings and feelings of anxiety nervousness and I also have the moon face, my consultant has recognised I need to come off them prednisone steroid and are looking at a new treatment. I'm down to 5ml then I miss a day. I feel unwell physically and mentally and I can't stand people commenting on my moon face. Even at this low dosage im a wreck. I'm to completely stop in a day and I'm scared of the withdrawal can anyone help me with knowing what to expect?
Sherryjane
28 April 2015
I have been on prednisone for a couple of months and started at 60 mg. I was on that for a month or more and now I am down to 10mg. i didn't start getting the fat face until the last two weeks. It seemed strange that I didn't started getting the fat face or weight gain until I was on the lower doses. I have been eating a bit more. Please tell me this will go away. I am now beginning on 7.5 mg and working toward 5mg. The doctor says the side effects should go away at 5mg and below. Not sure I believe him though. I have read where some people said it didn't really ever completely go away. Talking to the doctor doesn't do any good when it comes to side effects, doesn't care or listen…he even laughter at me when I mentioned the fat face. Feel very discouraged about it all. I guess I keep looking for someone to tell me it will go away for sure when I hit the 5mg dose.
sargarfarmers1112
27 Aug 2015
Thank you for writing this post!! I've been on pred on and off for years, but lately the past 6 months & , I'm tapering ~ now down to 12.5 ,mgs/day. I've been on a very slow taper due to bad inflammatory issues associated with lupus/RA! But the side effects are horrid!!! I feel as if I'm choking & my face is big and round, I have a hump on back of neck and my prior flat belly is protruding! ughhhhh!!! The pressure is horrible and it feels like I've got an elephant squeezing me along with very large hands squeezing my poor swollen throat!!! I was relieved to find out that the pred makes this watery fat type deposits that will diminish in time!! Ooh what a relief... There truly is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Thank you! :). :)
fmick
14 Nov 2015
Hello. I know this is an old thread, however if I found it then others might as well. I have pretty severe neuropathy in my legs. I also had carpal and cubital tunnel surgery after seeing an orthopod for my back. I was told by the neurologist that I had a lot wrong with my EMG. My T-spine is fusing with spondylosis and my feet burn like crazy at night. I have had some steroid injections in my back and they are awesome. They stopped the pain for months at a time. The side effects of those injections are incredible. Severe pain in my thighs upon arising from a seated position. Arm cramps and hot skin. It lasted for a day then tapered off. My heart pounded out of my chest and my white count elevated. It was worth it. Only the second round was that bad.
Two days ago, I started a Medrol dose pack. I took 28mg and had the most incredible and restfull night's sleep. I had great dreams and no foot or leg neuropathy. The next day I had moderately marked leg weakness and pain. My left bicep felt injured. My skin was very hot. I decided not to take anymore the next day. As I lay here on night three, I decided that the leg and foot pain was worse and took 8 mg. As for the facial swelling, I have only had 20 pounds weight gain with the injections. I have never been on the pills long enough. The week the levels of that back injection dropped, I lost 20 pounds in five days.
I also have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I took a photo a few m9nths ago for a nursing hospital job. After they took my photo for the badge I started prednisone. The following week I had a second badge made at another hospital. My face had shrank and my eyes puffiness from the thyroiditis was gone. So, Prednisone can work wonders if you use it right. I wouldn't take more than 25mg at one time myself. Learned my lesson on that one. Any new medication I always take a small portion first. Then a full one. Hope this helps.
StephanieHyde3
25 March 2018
So glad your your insight on this. I was wondering if I was the only one all swollen. My face and arms get real swollen sometimes my arms are very tight it feels as if it will pop. Is this normal? I was on 60Mg of prednisone for 4 months now I'm At 30 slowly going down. Do you ever get back looking normal I mean not so swollen?
Sher3501
28 June 2018
I was hospitalized and given 1,000 mg prednisone a day for 5 days then tapered down over several weeks after going home. I have the hump on back of my neck, belly protruding, moon face, and thicker neck. I am told by medical personnel the moon face and other areas will gradually go away after stopping the drug but will take a couple of weeks to get the meds out of my system before it starts to dissapear. I hate the shortness of breath and trembling hands along with all other symptoms!
The Heath
12 July 2018
Thank you so much for your response. It’s been a year now, I am down to 20mg and the are going to keep me there for awhile. It gives me hope that maybe at 20 my face and stomach area will start to decrease. Cheers
cappy1962
21 Aug 2018
I have been on prednisone for 8 months. Started at 40 down to 20 after 5 months. My doctor wants to get me off it completely. It's now being mixed with methotrexate. I have the puffy cheeks and my belly is bigger. But don't know if it's from me not working out and eating more. I haven't' worked out since being on it, because I don't know what exercises to do. My left foot feeling inside my shoe has changed my walking. I feel like my left leg is dragging when I start walking.
blueheaven
19 April 2013
I didn't know you can be on that for a long time my mother n law who has cancer was on that for about 2wks which is how long she was supposed be on it and her tongue swelled up and her throat closed up but don't stop taking it unless u speak with a dr Ijust find it odd that your swelling up. Sorry if I'm no help
endlessPred
20 April 2013
This is not swelling. This is fatty deposits which start as looking swollen. Actual swelling would probably be from the disease treated or a very, very rare allergic condition would have needed hospital treatment as this is a hormone.
Cyndihuggs
10 Nov 2014
I'm also on prednisone and my face neck back of my neck is completely swollen I started at 60 milligrams now I'm on 20 going to 15 this week hopefully. I hope I get my face back to normal.
Maryackerman
3 Feb 2015
Some people are on prednisone for an extended period of time. I have minimal change disease and when I have a relapse I start with 60 mg for 4 - 6 weeks and reduce the amount by about 20 mg each 4 - 6 weeks until I get to 20 mg and then go down more slowly until I am off. The swelling eventually does go away once you are of the med. I've had multiple relapses since 1997 when I was diagnosed and gone through all of the side effects at one time or another.
elizzo
9 Feb 2017
@maryackerman hi, how long did it take for the extra/redistributed fat to wear off after you stopped taking prednisone? Thanks!
dslow
15 Feb 2017
I have been off of prednisone since Jan. 4th. The swelling of my face has gone down, but my neck
is still swollen. One thing that did linger is a fast heart rate, short of breath. I went to my Dr. and found I now have an Atrial Flutter. Heart issues do not run in my family. I believe it was due to the prednisone.
Koolwanda
23 June 2017
I have chronic hives and angioedema. It has been about a year now. I have been to an allergist. I am allergic to Nothing. She believes I have an auto immune disease and that disease is hives and Angioedema. When my lips start to swell or I am covered in hives, I have to use Prednisone. So for a year I have had unexplained symptoms . That go away with anti histamines. And the Prednisone. My question is... How long to I carry around the chippy monk cheeks and neck swelling, once the steroids are stopped.
Meds advise
21 Oct 2017
I was tould by doctor becarfull with discontinue taking prednisone becose I may have more problem.
Demonte
22 Dec 2017
Had a allergic reaction to some medication and they put me prednisone for 5 days , 20 mg and 8 pills a day. Just wondering if the swelling I’m my tongue is ever going to go down within that time. Please help o already hate taking pills but this one is kinda scaring me!
Related topics
prednisone, side effect, swelling
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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