Stomach is bloated and big!

[Wangpaupau]

Hi, my daughter has been on Prednisolone since April 2020 starting with 15mgs & up to 20 mgs for a short period during a flare up. Currently on 9mgs & planning to wean herself off Prednisolone. Also on Mycophenolate 1g bd. In last 6 months, her stomach has increased in size, feels hard, bowel disorder, face moond shape and pimples on face. Appetite varies. All in all not in good shape. Affects breathing which doesn't help with her PH. Even though on diuretics, urinary output not loads of. Anyone have the same experience with steroids and will it improve once off steroids? Many thanks

[AgedCrone]

Ha your daughter spoken to her doctor about the constant bloating….apart from constipation there are other causes of bloating that should be investigated.

[jbzm]

I'd speak to someone as the moon face, large tum and pimples (acne) can be due to too much cortisol . . . in this case the steroid. I have the opposite issue, not even a drip of cortisol!

[oldtimer]

If she hasn't been moving around she will get constipated and that leads to bloating as well. She will also put on weight both from the steroids and the inactivity.I find that dried fruit helps me the most - prunes, dates, raisins I love nibbling at these instead of biscuits or cake. And it's so important to keep moving even when it hurts, a little frequently just helps with the pain that comes from stiffness and is also distracting so that you aren't dwelling on the pain.

[Hidden]

I would get her off the Prednisolene asap - This drug also gradually had bad effects on myself and I changed asap - and got better again - but had to change to another drug because my RA was so bad.