Prednisone & weight gain

[sunsett 2]

OK I need advise please. You all may think I"m being stupid, but here goes.

I started with a really bad cough over a week ago. I do have asthma that comes and goes, never that bad though.

A week ago today my cough added a bad cold to it. Last Wednesday I went to the doctor. She did not take an xray, but gave me an antibiotic and Predisone. I remembered how nuts my daughter was when she had been on Predisone so I decided I'd wait to start that. The I remembered the weight gain also goes with the crazy moods. I'm crazy enough as it is, I sure don't need help! My girl friend told me that she was on them for a few days and she had the weight gain and her face got puffy! Just what I want when I have relatives who I haven't seen for months coming over. (I'm down over 40 pounds)

Well I finished the antibiotic yesterday. I still have the cough, but not as often and the cold is still hanging around.

I went to the chiropractor today and she nothing in my chest was moving and that I had phemonia.

I just hate the side effects of that medicine, and I would do anything not to take it. So if you have any suggestions I'd really appreciate them.

Thanks for your help.

[vinesqueen 2]

well, no one hates taking prednisone more than I do. However, I know that typically if they prescribe it for me, and they know me, I had better take it, weight gain and puffy face be damned.

Asthma and pneumonia are nothing to fool around with, espeically since people who ignore their asthma tend to die from it.

[sunsett 2]

Do you usually gain a lot? And does it come right off when you stop?

[Mothernature 0]

Hi Sunsett,

I would go back to your doctor and tell her you are still not up to par. Inform her that you don't want to be treated with predisone, unless you absolutely need it for the asthma. I had something similar happen to me last September, and I was on antibotics for a while with predisone, breathing treatments, cough syrup...the works! I finally got better but I found the breathing treatments were the best treatment. I gained 20 pounds with the predisone, and I don't really it helped the cough at all! I still have the extra 20-probably going to have a couple more added to that once the holidays are over.

I don't know if you have insurance or what, but I would go back to the doctor.

[Victoriana 10]

With the flu season still comming to full stride, I would use it as it helps yur immune system and you sont want this to drag on. I too used prednisone for asthma and I only noticed its helpfull effects. Isnt it just Water wieght anyway that comes off shortly after you finish your pillpak?

[Nykee 13]

I am like addicted to prednisone.

NOthing makes me feel better.

BUT, I have been a good girl in the last year with it as I developed a quazie motto lump on my back and it scared me straight..

Just today I called my doctor and left this messege "can I have 5, 20ml Prednisones for christmas,..... I have lost 75 pounds"

I hoped the wieght loss would convince him..

AND IT DID!!

I kinda forgot until My sister brought me the pills last night .. and it was LIKE the BEST Christmas gift ever. lol

I have not slept yet just so I can take one this morning. (I am too tight upon waking to take crushed pills even)

If I took one last night I would be all energetic and ready to go by now and NO kids are about to get up and go out with me until at least noon.

I woke up yesterday at 1pm thinking it was like 10am and wrecked all day and scrared of how to manage the rest of this season.)

Now, I am soon to be well again.

[sunsett 2]

I am really conserned about the weight gain. It is only for 5 day, but 20pounds Mothernature! Did you loss it as soon as yu stopped taking it. After hearing that I sure don't want to take it! YIKES

[vinesqueen 2]

I typically gain 10 pounds every time I'm on it. Not Water weight.

But it's like this for me, risk death or gain weight?

Some people really feel good, some people don't gain weight, my mother always feels better when she take it, I however, always feel like crap, like I"m going to go into a homicidal rage, but I can breathe again.

Talk to your doc about this. We can offer our experiences, but that's all we can really do. Your doc is the one who knows what's going on with your body.

[Corgi 0]

Hi vinesqueen,

I am down 41 lbs, losing slowly but going in right direction. I was on prednisone when I had my Chemo 3 years ago, my weight went through the roof. But I was on 100mgs for 5 days for 6 cycles, it was not fun. I am sure that if you are on a short period of time the weight gain will only be temporary. Hang in there...

[mayflower419 0]

Hello I have been on prednisone for a month now. 20mg day thats a pretty small dose I guess. I have gained 4lbs. I'm trying to just maintain my weight I know losing at this time is a battle I don't think I'll win. I must say though this medication has helped my symptoms greatly. I have a rare autoimmune disease of the skin and mucus membranes. I had awful mouth lesions and the drugs have worked. You have to weigh out the pros and cons for you for me the fews lbs have been worth it to feel soooo much better. I thank good I have my band I think that is my saving grace or I think I would have ballooned up by now. Good luck to you.

[sunsett 2]

Well I'm sucking it up and taking it. It is only for 5 days so by saturday I'm done! Hopefully it won't be to bad. I did wake up at 5am and I feel very energetic, I'm ready to clean shop and runnnnnnnnn.

Thanks for all of you advise.

[doubletrouble 0]

Sunsett

Usually the weight gain is in patients that are on long term steroid use. In your case the doctor is treating you with predisone because it will decrease the inflammation caused by your asthma and respiratory infection hence allow you to cough up all the mucus in your lungs and prevent pneumonia from forming and let you breath easier. Predisone also will increase your blood sugar drasticly if you are diabetic. There are other options avaliable instead of taking the predisone but this usually works the best. 5 days of predisone is nothing, I would suggest to take it and feel better before Christmas arrives. Good Luck! and Good Health!