Weight gain on long term prednisolone

[rubybelle12]

I was diagnosed with Lupus 11yrs ago. I have been on various doses of prednisolone since then and have gained over three stone in weight. Does anyone have any advice on diet that will help me try to lose weight.

[PMRpro]

By far the best way to manage weight on long term pred is to cut carbs drastically, especially processed carbs and added sugar and to limit fruit and root vegetables. Everyone on the PMRGCAuk forum is/has been on pred for years and many of us have lost pred weight by cutting carbs. Some of us have to cut carbs more than others, some need almost keto levels of carbs, but I lost 35lbs by doing it and others have lost IRO of 2st. One lady lost even more AND reversed her Type 2 diabetes. If you come over there and post your question, I'm sure you would get lots of advice - even recipes!

[rubybelle12 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for your advice, I am heading straight over to PMRGCAuk for further advice

[Cherrytheperi]

Hi.Over the years I’ve had so many steroids and gradually put on weight.I’ve tried numerous diets over the years but I finally joined Slimmers world 2 months ago and have already lost over a stone.

Their diet consists of eating lots of food including carbs but low fat and sugar.

I’ve always watched what I eat because of steroids but I think I ate too little! I’m also lazy about following any diet but this is easy and you can still have treats but limit them.

[rubybelle12 in reply to Cherrytheperi]

Thank you for your advice I certainly will take it on board

[Treetop33]

Weight loss in general will involve cutting of ultra processed food (those foods with lots of weird ingredients) because it messes with body chemistry, it stimulates cravings and you also don't know how much you are eating (eg. say you are eating beef crisps - your body will want more and more because its expecting protein - beef - but none is being delivered). Sugar is a nightmare, but avoid artificial sweeteners too because they promote weight gain too. Weird, right? (You can read about it in the book ultra-processed people - bit preachy but has all the science).

As PMRpro says, do an inventory of carbs and sugar, and cut down (I've never eliminated - I think we need carbs, just healthy ones and we don't need as many as we want!). Lots of other types of veg, and whole fruits in my opinion is fine.

I was on a kind of keto diet for five years and still gained weight (5mg pred long-term plus menopause). It was not only very life limiting, it also didn't work and after a short period of dramatic weight loss, I put on weight again and more than before. I think too much meat isn't great for weight gain either. So I just try and maximise leafy veg, nuts etc. I am about 90% vegan, and it is controlling my weight well and I feel healthier (and I love trying to do stuff for the environment...purpose = happiness). No weight loss yet - menopause and I snack too much - but I am stable weight wise x

[rubybelle12 in reply to Treetop33]

Thank for your answer, I have read so many things about diet I end up more confused. I really must try and get motivated, at present I feel depressed and miserable particularly in this hot weather, when I want to wear Summer clothing

[Treetop33 in reply to rubybelle12]

One other thing I would say is that I'm really focused on trying to love my body, even though it's changing. I find it hard, but I'm trying. Maybe get yourself into comfortable clothing and flip two fingers to sexist notions of thinness? xx

[Smudge4465]

Morning, I focused on literally no carbs. But tonnes of fish, fruit and veg like the Mediterranean diet. Dropped off me but I was very strict. Plus you need to be in the right frame of mind constantly to make it work. Nothing is easy particularly if yr a locer of food!!!! Many suffer the curse of the steroids!! Best wishes……

[rubybelle12 in reply to Smudge4465]

You hit the nail on the head Smudge4465 I have lost willpower & motivation . I bought some lovely summer dresses, if I don't get going soon it will be next yearI wear them.. Thanks for your advice.

[triptons]

I've lost weight while on this drug (7.5mg) and many others

[Lily77]

Hi Rubybelle12, if you have lupus then you have a very sensitive digestion. This means that there are certain foods and additives that you can be ultra sensitive to if not downright allergic. Processed foods will be very hard for you to digest as they are full of indigestible fats, additives etc, white salt and sugar. For example, artificial colourings and sweeteners and additives such as MSG. White flour is also very hard to tolerate and is best avoided altogether. Some with lupus are allergic to nightshades which are potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and if you are then you will hold water and add weight as well as feeling awful. If you Google lupus and nightshades you can get more detail and do an exclusion diet if you think this might be you. Talking about holding water if you are on steroids you should be on a low salt diet…….a little bit of sea salt only. Black pepper is good for you.

[nottypical]

Have you reported weight gain as a prednisolone side effect?

[Betty909090]

My weight has always been stable!

I follow mainly a vegetarian diet with some fish.

Mainly very high fibre, low carbs, lots of fresh fruit, nuts, pulses, all sorts of beans, seeds and vegetables, very low saturated fat using mainly vegetable oils eg olive, walnut, sesame, sunflower etc.

Lots of tofu, high plant protein.

Some dairy as in cheeses (vegan cheeses are so low in protein and full of fat).🥹 but mainly soya in tea and coffee or skimmed milk.

I eat loads of peanut butter and other nut butters and whole grains. Not ALL ready meals are unhealthy!

My whole nut peanut butter is super high in both fibre and protein (30g per 100g). No added salt or sugar.

Wholemeal rye bread ❤️ is obviously high in CHO but the high fibre content gives its slow release carb!👆hence will not spike my blood glucose.

Never eat meat except some fish.

Some have mentioned the Mediterranean diet as being healthy? But certainly NOT the high carbohydrate content of pizza and pasta!!👆🧏‍♂️🧏‍♀️.

Hugely high and will give a huge blood glucose spike. Bad! IDK.

[Suvi8901 in reply to Betty909090]

Hi Betty,

Thanks for your thoughts on what makes for a healthy diet. I agree. What you forgot to mention is that Prednisolone as a corticosteroid raises blood glucose and patients on steroids are at increased risk of developing diabetes if carbohydrate intake is not strictly controlled!

The problem with most is SNACKING, myself included: sweets, chocolates, cakes, puddings, tarts, ice creams,crisps etc etc that’s where I’ve got to curb my intake!😱😰

No matter the diet, at least for me is being honest about one’s snacking for sweet things and desserts.🤣😱

[Paprika60]

I feel for you. I used to be on Prednisolone for over 15 years. Different dosages over the long period desperately trying to get off it but never being allowed. I cannot bear to see my photographs taken from that period...because of my moon face which reminds me of the pain and struggle I went through. I was so determined to get off the drug ( because of bone loss) and I have succeeded over last five years. Meanwhile I did try all sorts of diet changes. Gluten, carb free, meat free, anti inflammatory diet and even vegan. That also gave me too much issues as I became my own police...and eventually I decided to just be less stressed about the whole thing.

Now I am mainly a vegetarian with two fish meals a week. Luckily I don't crave for sweets anymore. I eat nuts, seeds and fruit when I want to snack.

Sugar is really bad for inflammation (!!) and lupus so I think you have to be kind and let that one go gradually and surely. Change to 85 % chocolates, two three pieces a day if you must eat chocolate. Keep telling yourself how proud you are for being strong whenever you succeed in cutting out or down.

In the long run though, it would be so much more beneficial if you could lower and eventually wean off steroids completely. Ask your specialist to help you with this.

All best luck to you!!! 🙏

[rubybelle12 in reply to Paprika60]

Thank you for your advice and info. How on earth did you get off Prednisolone? My consultant seems to think I have been on it so long I might as well stay on it as my adrenal glands have probably gone to sleep. Is there a blood test that can measure if your adrenals are working. I have often thought of stopping it myself, but then I worry about the consequences.

[Paprika60]

The only way you can succeed in stopping steroids is to do it very and carefully, gradually and also with a full support from your specialist. It seems to me that your doctor is not looking out for the best way but the easiest solution. No good doctor thinks permanent steroids taking is a good way. Steroids compromises your body so much. It is good for only for a short relief and save people's condition when worse. Unless you have already found out your adrenal function is failing you, how would you know without first trying? Ever so gradual decrease is the only way. I was on 2.5 mg for nearly 5 years working my way down and then 1 mg. at the end for 18 months. I started from 7.5 mg and then down to 5mg. and stayed for some 2 years. Some doctors try to keep patients at 5 mg. forever. I came across a very prominent lupus specialist who suggested this. I walked out and moved to another hospital. Your doctor has to support you so this means you have to express how much you want to decrease and eventually come off. Ask for help with sincerity. Prednisolone is one of the cheapest way to keep patients ticking along...that's my opinion.

[AimeeA]

Steroids are the devil when it comes to putting on weight. You have to be careful and change your diet when you're on them to prevent weight gain or get and keep the weight off.

Steroids are a hormone that basically changes how your body handles sugar in your blood and deposits fat. If you eat carbs, it will grab that carb/sugar and jam it straight into your fat cells.

So the most current advice says when on steroids you should eat lower levels of carbs and avoid sugars. Go on a low carb diet and you may notice the weight coming off, and it will help prevent future weight gain when on steroids.

Some of the weight gain is just water retention that will drop off if you go off the steroids, but unfortunately some of it will be fat.

[overdrive67]

Hello Rubybelle12, for me Prednisolone worked excellently at first but then it started affecting my bones which lupus is already doing so i stopped taking it and turned to NEUROVITE which is a B vitamin and Dolo Meta B which is also a B vitamin but has Declofenac for pain, i take royal jelly capsules and vitamin D3 supplements, sea kelp and Omega 3,6,and 9 plus i do a lot of research on alternative natural remedies. Hope this helps