Does everyone gain weight on steroids?

[Marie1479]

I lost 19lbs because I was in so much pain. Now that I have been diagnosed with PMR and have started prednisone 15mg for 8 days am I at risk of weight gain or moon face?

[piglette]

Losing weight before diagnosis is quite normal. The chances of putting on weight on while on pred are quite high although some people do actually lose weight when they are on pred. I cut out simple carbs and gluten as I was told that would stop a moon face which it did, that may have been just luck though. It is a good idea to watch your diet as steroids do play games with your metabolism. I have become a nutrition bore since I started pred, I knew very little about vitamins, minerals etc before. I suppose it keeps me out of mischief and I do find it interesting. I have just read the book Gut which is popular at the moment.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to piglette]

Marie1479. I too lost weight before I was diagnosed in June with PMR though not as much as you. I started on 20mg and am now on 7/6 using the dead slow method. I have not put on the weight that I lost but I have cut out all biscuits and cakes and also all white flour products and potatoes. I do eat brown pasta, bread and rice but in very small quantities. I do have dried fruit with oats for breakfast so there is enough sweetness in my diet to enable me to stick to it. I think I have been lucky not to have had the munchies as some people describe on here. I have also eaten a little more fat so that I didn't lose too much weight as I am already a little on the light side. So far I have not got a moon face. Not sure if the danger has passed at my current level? Perhaps one of our lovely experienced ladies could enlighten me on that. I too have become fascinated by minerals and vitamins.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Brixhamhampster]

If it hasn't happened yet I would think it is unlikely to do so now.

[Brixhamhampster in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you pmrpro for that bit of encouragement about moon face. I don't want to get complacent because I know I am at a very tricky stage right now and it could all change. Thank you for all your advice this year and I hope you have a lovely Christmas.

[eggy-18]

I too lost a lot of weight before I started on the steroids but happy to say my weight is now stable, not gaining or losing

[Brixhamhampster in reply to eggy-18]

Thank you eggy-18 it is lovely to hear someone is having a similar experience it somehow makes you feel you are on the right track.

[nancyannehanson]

I have been on 30 mg down to 27mg my face is a FULL moon. However, this did not occur for the first 6 weeks.