Oral steroids and sugar cravings

[Frankiefarr]

Could be my imagination but since starting oral steroids I seem to be really craving sugary and fatty things to the point of not being able to say no. Anyone else found this?

[Hidden]

Unfortunately, this is quite a common side effect. What dose are you on and are you given a tapering schedule? Hang in there, it does pass.

[Frankiefarr in reply to Hidden]

Asked about a tapering schedule today and the rheumy nurse looked blank and they'd given them to me! 5mg per day. Don't think they are actually working much either. The injections had no effect whatsoever

[bradfordjoanna]

Yes yes. I could eat two dinners with ease. Drove me nad and did put weight on. Sorry

[cathie]

Steroids play havoc with you blood sugar levels so take care especially if you're diabetic

[Jefflin]

Yes. I'm tapering from 60 mg currently on 30 and I feel manic with hunger constantly.

I've put on 2 kg in 2 weeks. Thankfully I'll be off it in 4 - 6 weeks. I also feel quite weird emotionally.

But it has helped me with the severe inflammation I've been suffering in my eye.

[AgedCrone in reply to Jefflin]

Have you asked for a Depomedrone injection rather than going on the dreaded Prednisolone when you have a flare?

I will never touch Pred again.....it nearly sent me mad! Horrid, horrid drug!

[Frankiefarr in reply to AgedCrone]

Already had two injections. Had no effect that's why they are trying the oral steroids. Rheumy nurse said speak to GP so I did. GP said hospital in their letter just said I had been prescribed 5mg and nothing about tapering or stopping therefore she was no going to stope them or give me a lower tapering dose. I needed to take that up with the rheumatologist. Honestly it's like being a football,

[AgedCrone in reply to Frankiefarr]

There are other oral steroids apart from Predi!

Google Oral Steroids ...it explains the difference. I don't know if they can be used inRA treatment though.

I know exactly what you mean about being a football.i have seen 3 GP's at my surgery & they are all arguing with each other....i'vevwalked away & will sort things with my Rheumy! Trouble is they know nothing about dosages for RA but won't admit it....their favourite reply is "Well,it depends"....I'd rather they would just say ask the rheumy......or better till find out for themselves!

[oldtimer]

I find that it is really difficult to tell when I've had enough food - so I tend to go on eating. I could easily browse all day. So, especially when the amount of steroid I'm on goes up, I pay careful attention to portion size and to the type of food on the plate. Yes, I tend to increase when on higher doses, but I have also managed to control the weight gain to some extend. But it's hard work and I have to pay attention to it!

[Hidden]

Oh yeah - Dang, huh? Nothing better than butter and sugar or some combination...

[karilynn85]

I couldn't stop eating when I was on prednisone. Like, seriously two or three meals PER MEAL. And all I wanted to eat was sugar like cereal, cookies, donuts, etc. I gained 20 pounds in 6 weeks. So, yeah, it's a pretty common side effect.

[Danna]

I found it gave me energy, but it also made me sick. My cousin takes it and she says she eats all the time. If your going to eat then try to eat the right things with natural sugars. I am no one to talk I am a sweet tooth junkie...lol good luck sweetie.