prednisolone and weight gain

[Marley]

From June last year I started to increase my dose from the usual 5mgs, until in early October I went up to 40mgs of Prednisolone for about two weeks. Since then I have steadily reduced and am now on 7mgs. I didn’t experience any increase in appetite yet still gained weight. I’m still gaining even though I’ve been reducing steadily. Is this normal - and how long does it take to get back to normal?

[PMRpro]

Normal no, usual yes. It changes the way the body processes carbs and also triggers the liver to release spikes of glucose into the blood from the body stores in liver and muscle. This in turn results in the release of insulin, more than is really needed as the body is expecting a full meal. Excess insulin means any glucose around is stored as fat in fairly predictable positions (midriff, back of the beck, around the face) , It can be avoided to a great extent by cutting carbs drastically - and you can lose weight in the same way. Some people need to cut carbs a lot, others get away with just cutting processed carbs and added sugar. That also cuts salt considerably - which also helps with fluid retention, it also causes weight gain.

Often the weight melts away when you stop pred altogether but not always and a bit of help will speed up the process.

[MonicaT in reply to PMRpro]

Very helpful for all of us this. Thank you

[Brainfogged in reply to MonicaT]

Thank you so much, thats the best explanation of how it affects weight I have ever encountered. Although it was around 28 years ago since I was on prednisone for severe Chronic Graves’ disease which affected my eyes very badly, also had a thyroidectomy. I was given the maximum dose of 120mg (12 tablets a day) until the radiotherapy on the backs of my eyes kicked in and did its job after approximately a year, when that happened my dose was gradually reduced but that in itself took around another year. I have not felt to live in the same body since. However, it did save my eyesight. I have had a couple of positive Lupus blood tests in the last 3-4 years but only mild and no firm diagnosis or treatments have been given. I dread the day I ever have to go back on prednisone, it will have to be a case of life or death. Back then at the time My Endo Consultant needed me off them asap but the eye Consultant very much needed me on them and i was seeing both of them almost on a weekly basis at one point, before graduating to 2 weeks for a time then every month. Fortunately back in those days Consultants communicated and worked with each other. My Autoimmune system has been screwed all my life according to My Endo which I definitely agree with. chronic M.E since my early 20;s, Multiple chemical and food allergies and sensitivities POTS, and 10 years ago Breast Cancer, double mastectomy and lyph clearence. I feel like a water storage tank with extensive lymphodema 😂 I cant cope with heat, I swear if i was plugged into the national grid I could light up the County 😂 But now at 64 I am thankfully still here to tell the tale, and as they say, creaking gates go on for ever. I have lots of other stuff going on like osteopenia, arthritis, fibromyalgia. IBS, not to mention tripple whammy brain fog 🤯 so there is probably other ailments too just can’t remember them all in one go 🤣 please laugh, not putting all this for sympathy, I am extremely lucky I have a wonderful husband and 2 grown up daughters that help support me, I am so very fortunate. Although they have all had covid 2 and 3 times over the last 2 years or so years all living in the same house, I didnt catch it. Admittedly, all precautions were taken around the house and bedroom isolation I think it is a testament to them but also, possibly my hyper immune system that said ‘huhh you think we cant knock that on the head just look at what we have caused up to now’ 😂

[ijeasike]

I have not been on steroids in years. I occasionally get prescriptions if my anemia gets worse. It cause weight gain and I struggled to understand why I couldn't loose weight even when I exercised. I gradually came of it. I dread it any time it gets prescribed. Unfortunately it helps with lupus. So I can't seem to run away from it.Take it easy, the most important thing is getting your lupus under control. Then you can for on the weight. Take care and God bless.

Kind regards

Ije