Is it possible to avoid weight gain on steroids!

[Shann07]

Hi everyone

Ive been started on a prednisolone 10mg for 3 weeks for lupus flare. I know its only a short course but Ive been trying my best to loose weight at a slimming class, with good success, so far I’ve lost almost a stone, which Im delighted with. But Ive another stone to loose and Im really peeved off that I have to start steroids incase they will gain the weight back on! Im due my weigh in tomorrow and im hoping to get my 1 stone badge lol….it been a long 3 months jumping on the scales every week at class, but the weight loss has really helped with my confidence.

Any tips or advice, is it just a given that I will gain 🙈

Thanks everyone🙂

[PMRpro]

It is - you can even LOSE weight while on long term steroids - I lost 35lbs of illness and pred-associated weight gain even though I was on 15mg pred once I cut carbs drastically. Some manage by cutting processed carbs and bread, pasta and rice and any added sugar nd being careful about fruit (healthy carbs but carbs nevertheless). Others need to be more aggressive. But it does work and if you post on PMRGCAuk you can gets lots of advice and testimonials. I've been on pred for 13 years - I gained weight before pred because of inactivity, didn't gain more, it just moved around, gained weight when switched to methyl pred rather than prednisolone and then lost it again when I cut carbs and went back to prednisone. I'm still overwight - but have been all my life.

Some have done it with slimming classes but some of them tend to be a bit carb-heavy and/or the class leaders don't appreciate the problems when you are on pred, The appetite problem is real - the pred triggers the liver to release random spikes of glucose from the body stores into the blood - insulin is released and the BS level plummets because there isn't a meal behind the spike to use it properly and it overshoots so you crave carbs to bring it back up. Rinse and repeat! You can't control that - you can control the dietary carbs and it can make a massive difference.

[Shann07 in reply to PMRpro]

That’s great advice, you certainly are very knowledgeable about prednisolone! I am smiling reading your reply as it’s giving me some positive vibes 💕 thank you so much for the dietery tips I will defo be avoiding the carbs and sodium rich foods. Fingers crossed I will stay on track at class. X

[Sara_A]

Hi , it's more long term steroid use that I think you would need to worry more about. That's my experience anyway, when I have to increase from my usual daily 20mgs to 30mgs for a flare I find that I gorge on certain things mostly cereals but literally boxes of them!! I'll eat a 700g box in 2-3days!! It's crazy. You would think cereal is ok but not to that extent 😂I've been on steroids for 14 yrs or so and my consultant says that he doesn't ever see me coming off them - yay great!!

It's hard and I feel that its an uncontrollable urge to eat but hopefully you won't get this being on a fairly low dose for a short period.

[Shann07 in reply to Sara_A]

Hi Sara_A, I know exactly what you mean - the urge is uncontrollable and I find if I dont eat enough I am so moody lol. Thats from previous experience and I defo put a lot of weight on. But Im 12lbs off my goal weight at class and Im so proud of myself because for once I like what I see in the mirror. Fingers crossed its only for the 3 weeks but my lupus is not behaving at the mo, Im currently off my Azathioprine and awaiting more blood results as my WCC has flat lined and all my lupus markers are very high. I was feeling great on Aza but the skin on my hands is badly affected and Rheummy is not happy with the skin, so hence why Im starting steroids. Really hope to get back on Aza this week as Im starting to flare 😖 we never get a break do we! Im can hardly move now with pain all over 🙈 x

[Cas70]

I have just resumed steroids and I have to be really strong and not eat too much plus walk as much as I can. So, yes it can be done.

[Shann07 in reply to Cas70]

Ahh positive vibes ✨ Cas70, Im of the same thinking as you, stick to class eating plan, stay strong and avoid the bold stuff lol, Im defo gonna put steroids and weight loss to the test lol 💖💕

[tree_shadow]

Yes. I actually managed to lose weight on steroids. Count the calories.