Hi I'm new here

[cliveM]

Suffer with PMR. Having a problem with weight gain after using Prednisone.

Can exercise help/

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi CliveM,

Welcome.

Many have problems with weight gain once on Pred, so usual recommendations are reviewing what you eat - cutting out some of the carbs, and going more for veggies and fruit, apples, pears, berries are good.

Exercise helps as well, but you need to be a bit selective, not too strenuous or repetitive, your muscles take longer to recover than they did pre PMR. You can't charge round the gym doing circuit training like a youngster! Also depends on how active you were pre PMR as well, lots of here try Pilates, Yoga, Tal Chi or Nordic Walking if they feel their leg muscles are not as they were. They're good for the mind, and soul, but not necessarily for weight loss, but every little helps!

Running or walking is good, but you do need to rest your muscles afterwards, so maybe every other day, rather than every day - to start with at least.

On a brighter note, most find the weight reduces anyway as you get lower on the Pred!

[cliveM in reply to DorsetLady]

My RA Doctor said I would Lose weight after dropping Meds in 8 months. I tried to use Small dumbells. I did not do much but was sore for a couple of days afterwards,

DorsettLady many thanks your sound advice.

[cliveM in reply to DorsetLady]

DorsetLady, Thanks for your good impute. My RA Doctor also said I would loose weight gained . . . . at first I thought she was pulling the wool over my eyes.

My Doc recommended eating more protein and milk for calcium. She did not want me to take calcuim suppliments.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cliveM]

There I'd say she is wrong - milk isn't a particularly good source of calcium (Heron will tell you about that) and having a lot of calcium available helps prevent calcium being leached from the bones. You also need vit D.

And that is especially so if you are put onto bisphosphonates.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I suppose it may depend on whether you CAN exercise enough to make any difference! Which with PMR is generally a problem.

However - pred changes the way your body processes carbs and that is part of what causes the weight gain and deposition of fat in particular places. Many of us have lost weight or avoided weight gain in the first place by cutting carbs drastically. That includes fruit and root vegetables. I lost 36 lbs while still on above 10mg of pred by doing that. I can only lose weight by cutting carbs in that way - too many carbs (and too many is not an awful lot for me!) and i don't lose and may even gain.

[cliveM in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro thanks for your suggestions. I had regular weight of 85kg for over 30 years. Have gained almost 10kg, My stomach feels like I have swallowed a tractor tyre.

I have been Juicing, try to avoid sweet fruits.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cliveM]

Juicing isn't ideal - it releases the sugar in the fruit and it causes a sharper sugar spike as it is absorbed quickly. Eating the whole fruit is far better for you. But too much fruit of any sort may be too much carbohydrate.

[Janll]

This is my 2nd time round with PMR. 1st time I gained 21lbs. I learned that like PMRpro says, carbs don't metabolise when on steroids so since being on steroids now for 10 months I haven't gain one pound. And that is because I hardly eat any carbs, like bread, sweets, cereals, sugar, rice, pasta, etc. If I do it is a very small portion. I've upped my portion of protein and I still have 1-2 pieces of whole fruit a day. Regular exercise is good, even if you can manage a walk around the block. Drinking lots of water is good too.

I am not a saint though, my weakness is ice cream. Desserts only on Sundays.

If you are already eating a lot of carbs, it might be difficult at first but once your body gets used to it, you will find it easy to say no even to chocolate. It's like a miracle! 😉

Jan

[cliveM in reply to Janll]

Janil,

Thanks for your good info. I did not realise how carbs are not easily digested.

I have just printed out your eating advice.

[Ashbuckley]

Hi Clive I'm the same I've put on 2stone since I've been on steroids I've been doing light exercise and I bought a bike and go for a half HR bike ride 3times a week I'm told weight should decrease when I'm off steroids but a bit of excersise doesn't hurt I know when I look in mirror and see myself and go yuk what happened

[Janll]

I know we are told that the extra weight we gain will leave us ONCE we are off steroids or on a much lower dose but for some of us that can be the best part of two years. PMR already makes you feel depressed and you don't feel you have a lot of control but you do have control over your diet. And losing a bit of weight makes you feel good about yourself.

Jan