Keep off weight gain when steroids increase tips? - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK

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Keep off weight gain when steroids increase tips?

Sandy1212 profile image
11 Replies

Hi all, ive unfortunately had to go up to 20mg steroids today. I am really trying not to put on any more weight, I didn’t even have a chance to lose the weight i gained last increase of steroids! Do any of you follow a particular diet/avoid certain foods when your steroids increase or do you just accept the inevitable weight gain?

Any tips would help! Xx

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Sandy1212
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11 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRpro

Weight gain with pred is not inevitable - but it does require some discipline! Cutting carbs drastically can be successful in keeping weight gain down when on pred - a lot of people on my home forum have done so and some even lost considerable amounts of weight while on doses of above 15mg. It is particularly important to cut processed carbs and added sugar and fruit also needs to be limited because it contains a lot of sugar and carbs are carbs ...

My suggestion would be to come and ask on the PMRGCAuk forum

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk

where the group are very happy to share experiences with diet.

I find this site very useful

dietdoctor.com/low-carb

It doesn't have to be NO carb, just LOW carb, but everyone is different and some can get away with more carbs than others.

One lady was pre-diabetic and joined the NHS recommended approach and lost over 2st in under a year while still on pred:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Sandy1212 profile image
Sandy1212 in reply to PMRpro

Really it isn’t inevitable?? I am so glad to hear that! All that I’ve been told before suggested that it’s something to accept to happen, but I am so relieved to know that it’s not entirely true! Thank you so much i will definitely post on your home forum and check that site out :)

PMRpro profile image
PMRpro in reply to Sandy1212

We know - we are all on pred, some of us for many years and most of us were never told anything about adverse effects and how to reduce them. I gather in France they advise patients on diet but find patients struggle to stick to what they describe as a restrictive diet. I lost 35lbs of PMR and pred induced weight on low carb at one point - I need to lose more, especially after lockdown, but that's another story! It is best to be careful from the start, a lot of people don't believe us and then complain they have gained weight!

Sandy1212 profile image
Sandy1212 in reply to PMRpro

It is a real shame that so many are not told from the get-go because like you say it is best to be careful from the start! That is a very good idea from France, but yes I can imagine patients would not stick to it using that phrasing; it is amazing how much the choice of words impacts people's behaviour towards advice. Again though, thank you very much! And I hope that your plan to lose that lockdown weight goes well!

PMRpro profile image
PMRpro in reply to Sandy1212

I'm still wearing the same jeans ....

Chanpreet_Walia profile image
Chanpreet_WaliaLUPUS UK

Hi Sandy1212,

We published a blog article on lupus diet and healthy eating which you may find useful to read at lupusuk.org.uk/diet-and-hea...

Also, you may like to read our blog article on lupus and exercise at lupusuk.org.uk/lupus-and-ex...

Best wishes,

Chanpreet

Sandy1212 profile image
Sandy1212 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia

Thank you! I will take a look at that :)

Fisher50 profile image
Fisher50

Hi Sandy1212 I’m exactly the same I’m unable to exercise because of my joints. I’m on prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine and putting on weight which I cannot shift, I don’t eat much at the best of times.

Anyway I’m about to try a diet which a friend of mine has had much success with, its worth a try.

Mornings - Banana and satsuma

Lunch - toast poached egg 1 or 2 & oven backed tomatoes season to taste.

Evening - Banana.

Nothing to eat after 6pm.

Hope this helps

Sandy1212 profile image
Sandy1212 in reply to Fisher50

Hi Fisher50, sorry to hear about your joints. What is name of the diet if you know? I hope it will be successful for you! And thank you it has been helpful, i do have a habit of eating late night since i get distracted during the day i forget to eat!

Fisher50 profile image
Fisher50 in reply to Sandy1212

Hi Sandy1212 it’s the Kato diet.

Sandy1212 profile image
Sandy1212 in reply to Fisher50

Thank you! Good luck with it! :)

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