Weight and steroids

[Babybaps44]

I have put on so much weight after having steroids I have stopped them now and struggling to get weight off any tips??

[Kezcola]

Be kind to yourself and give it time. I take steroids daily and have done for 35 years. Last year I had a huge flare and they were increased to a really high dose. I've tapered them down and in a little less than a year I've lost 2 and a half stone. I have it to lose tho! I am still overweight but making sure I have drunk lots of water each day really helps. It will happen but it doesn't come off as quickly as it goes on! Good luck.

[Babybaps44 in reply to Kezcola]

How did you lose the weight? Well done and thanks xx

[Kezcola in reply to Babybaps44]

Just by drinking water and watching what I eat. It has started to come off easier now that steroid is down to 5mg maintainence dose. I'm pretty much chair bound so exercise is tricky but some chair exercise helps when pain allows. I know it sounds airy fairy but honestly if you are not good at drinking water, up your intake, it has made a huge difference to me. I never drank much as I don't really like it but I took a challenge lol and it worked so now I'm addicted to keeping my intake at 2 litres a day. X

[Kezcola in reply to Kezcola]

Although maybe it's the exercise from going for a wee all the time lol - that settles down after a few weeks! X

[Babybaps44 in reply to Kezcola]

Thanks I will give it a go x

[Mary1938 in reply to Kezcola]

That's a lot of water I hate but I try to drink bottled water it's not much either ,got to get rid of the weight

[sylvi]

Watch what you eat,cut out all the bad stuff and try to walk or swim . That sounds good coming from me who can't get about much because of pain and my back,but i do try to walk more. Best of luck with getting the weight off.

[JEM95 in reply to sylvi]

I joined Slimming World in February, I've lost a stone so far and haven't felt hungry once.

It's not so much a diet as a change in lifestyle, and I actually think it's sustainable going forward. I have really enjoyed planning meals, cooking from scratch etc. I had got into a bit of a rut since splitting with my partner in October - eating rubbish. There are some great recipes for quick meals for one 😀

There is no counting calories or points (I can't do with all that pfaff).

I think my new food lifestyle suits my RA - I feel marvellous!

One stone gone, two to go !

P.S. if I can do it anyone can, I'd tried many different unsuccessful things before.

[Babybaps44 in reply to sylvi]

Thanks it's dreadful isn't it xx

[Babybaps44]

Thanks u was doing it a while back got told to stop as on steroids so I did now nothing fits and I feel like a whale I think I need to return xx

[Jan101]

Morning Babybaps like you I was on a very high dose of steroids. I am not saying this is for everyone but I did not change things much in anyway and my weight fell off me over a period of time. I put on about 2 stone and I have lost that and a little more. I am happy to be back to my 9 stone. I truly wish you well in what ever you do to lose your weight. Take good care of yourself my friend. Jan101 🤗🤗🌷🌹🌷xxxx

[Gnarli]

Brilliant advice given already and I can't add much. Unfortunately, when you get to my age it's a case of "if it tastes good, spit it out!" Ho hum

Jan

[Tillie20]

hi babybaps it is very hard I was on steroids for 1 year and out on over stone could have been more but I have been on a diet since last September and so far have lost 2 stone what I did was stopped eating chocolate, cakes, and bread I have a treat in the evening chocolate gluten free biscuits (Nairn) I also walk for 1 hour 5days a week and started hula hooping and using a excerise bike but then I am lucky as medication is working but I do take a couple of pain killers in the morning and stop when I feel anything I also gave up smoking 18 months ago which made me put weight on good luck but be careful and not do to much not sure how old you are but the older you are the harder it is tske it from me X

[Runrig01]

I've been on steroids 4.5yr, had put on 3.5 stone in that time. Over the last 9 months since getting to lower doses the weight has slowly reduced. I have not changed my diet, as I already cook healthy meals, but have found on the smaller doses my appetite is smaller. I'm now on 2.5mg of Prednisolone, aiming to be off by end of May. Since starting biologics end of Feb, I have found it easier reducing 😁. You will get there, good luck.

[Simba1992]

The AIP diet is a healthy very fast and effective way to get your weight down. No starving oneself can eat as much as you want. Helps your body to normalize the adverse effects of meds. Worth a try😊

[Lynnels in reply to Simba1992]

What's the AIP diet please. Tried everything and can't budge it.

[Simba1992 in reply to Lynnels]

Just google AIP diet, Lots of info😊

[Simba1992 in reply to Simba1992]

Autoimmune Paleo Diet=AIP

[Nettac]

Hi there.

I've had the same problem. I find daily walking ( if you can manage it) has helped. I also stopped eating dairy. I was drinking loads of milk, I've swapped to nut milk.

You will find your own way of cutting down though. Steroids made me eat far more than I needed.

[Lynnels]

I'm the same Babybaps44 I was on high doses of Steroids for 5 years and put on 4 stone!! I was desperate to come off them if only to reduce the weight - and had to have acupuncture to get off them. I stupidly thought the weight would drop off as I eat very healthily (no carbs or sugars) but in the year I've been off them I have only managed to lose 4 lb!!! Very disheartening. Tried SW (worked for me years ago but not now and they are not interested in the medication cause as they don't believe it!) Stick to plan and it'll come off - 18 months later no it won't!

Now trying WW but a fluctuating 3lb off 3lb on

Thinking of doing one of those VLC drink things but worried they'll interact with my medication

I'm wondering if my IV tocilizamab doesn't help. Any thoughts anyone?

Certainly will up my water intake as suggested in this link and will follow to see if there are any more suggestion

Good luck!

[Fifi2 in reply to Lynnels]

I think I read somewhere that one of the side effects of that drug is wieght gain

[Thegreaterdanes]

My doctor just put me on a ketogenic diet. I have excellent cholesterol levels and with all my other conditions he wants me to try this. It's been 10 days and I have lost 5.8 pounds. I almost fell off the scale, I couldn't believe it. I use a phone app to help me keep.track of everything I eat (Keto diet tracker). I'm allowed only 17g of carbohydrates a day - this was what was killing my weight and healing issues. Almost everything has carbs in it! Some vegetables I can't have anymore, but I'm making it work. If you love bacon and eggs, grass fed butter and cream, it won't be too hard. I still can't eat quite enough calories or fat, but the protein & carb limits I usually hit. Lots of water with lemon and Concentrace drops to replace minerals. I eat 2-3 times more than I used to. I was skeptical at first but I am blown away that it actually works. You must give 100% or it won't work. Carbs are the key, we eat too many. That is what puts on the weight, not healthy fats. I start my day with a bulletproof coffee and use coconut oil instead of MCT oil sometimes. All of these are online if you don't know what they are. They will explain much better than I can. I was so sick to my stomach from meds every day I was starving myself. Usually only eating once a day. I never lost weight. If I ate more I would keep gaining. I am 70 pounds overweight (now 65!), so to be eating so much more and LOSING is incredible. I also note that within about 4 days of starting this my morning nausea and stomach sickness is gone!! I've been sickly for years and this is the first time in I don't know how long I am not sick in the morning.

I would not advise the diet if you have high cholesterol levels. You should check.with your doctor. I wish you luck!

[Hidden in reply to Thegreaterdanes]

I love the keto diet too - It is wonderfully easy for me to stick to =)

[Mary1938 in reply to Thegreaterdanes]

It sounds a bit like Atkins diet with I did before Rt and I did loose a lot ,you are doing great

[Thegreaterdanes in reply to Mary1938]

Thanks!

[Simba1992 in reply to Thegreaterdanes]

Have heard that keto diet actually normalizes cholesterol levels!?

Have to look it up😊

[Simba1992 in reply to Simba1992]

Keto diet increases good cholesterol HDL, which is good news😊 Protects your heart. This is what I found out.

[Hidden in reply to Thegreaterdanes]

The other thing wonderful about the keto diet is those veggies you CAN have draped in butter... Om, nom, nom!

[ginam in reply to Thegreaterdanes]

I've lost 16 lb doing ketogenic. My cholesterol too is

normal.

[Hidden]

Unfortunately Babybaps, the weight is pretty much real, so it may take a while. When I was younger I had severe asthma and took 10 - 60 mgs of steroids a day for 3 years without a break, and it put around 50 pounds on me in that time. I still struggle to this day to lose weight - or was - until I started a Keto diet. So far I am down 15 pounds, but it comes off slowly... Take care and be patient...

[rawillbebeaten]

Hi,

I've been on Steroids since 2002 but last year problems put me on a very high dose. Got a raging appetite and put on loads of weight. Had to buy a size larger trousers which is how I gauge it. The dose is now reduced back to 7.5mg per day which is the lowest I've been able to go. I've always walked but for 8 months it was very hard and also my lovely old Labrador wouldn't walk far or fast. He's sadly passed on now and I'm very sad, but able to go out for a brisk walk as often as I can which is helping immensely.Pretty much as others have replied, be kind to yourself weight gain is almost unavoidable and it will reduce slowly. I'm back at my previous size but want to be at least a size lower. I'm no good with diets and I enjoy exercise so that's my way. Walk , dance (jig around really) when the opportunity arises, Zumba (no getting on and off the floor) and very light weights 1.25 & 2.5 kg. I step up and down 1 stair with a weight and other standard moves. Weight lifting (if you can) burns calories beyond the time you're doing it.

Thinking you and going through the same thing.

Steroids stopped the big flare, eventually, but weight gain, puffy face and hair loss are the downside

All the very best

Michele

[Dotty55]

Dotty55

Hi babybaps last year I fell downstairs and hit my back on the wall at the bottom of the stairs a and could hardly walk no broken bone luckily I put 21 pounds on asi was off work for 8 months I went on a diet and was told to drink sparkling water takes some getting used to I was told it stops you feeling so hungry I drink it all the time and have lost all the extra weight as I felt very uncomfortable with the extra weight and it has worked for me

Dotty55