I am well into the Pred dosage and have the infamous "moon face". What I wonder was does this go down as Pred is Reduced or will it not go back to normal until Pred is stopped. It's such a shame all this has happened this year as I am going to a family wedding in Southern Ireland this month. I'll just have to stay out of the way of the camera! Comments please!
Pat
Hello.
Yes it does go, I've seen it in others including my sister who was in full blown steroid mode for her own wedding at the time. I'm still in the moonface category and it is hard to imagine ever looking normal again. I have grown my hair into a longer style which helps. Others will reply, hopefully with some sort of dose levels when it should start to reduce. As for the wedding, what about some sort of hat or fascinator that has that small piece of netting that comes down to distract the camera? If it was Ascot races or something you could do all sorts like fruit and such!
Hi Pat,
You will return to a "normal" face as you reduce Pred, but it seems vary from person to person - can't give a definitive dose it happens . Sorry!
Don't worry about the wedding, I appreciate you want to look your best, but I'm sure all eyes will be on the bride!
The main thing, for you, is to just enjoy the day, and meeting up with friends and family, but don't overdo things!
Have fun.
I am hoping my face de-moons at some point. I have been camera shy since childhood but with a family full of young adults with mobiles who like to video and photo family members I have just about got used to it. In fact I have been known to take a selfie. Got so used to seeing my hamster chops on my phone and on texts etc eye that I hardly scrutinise myself anymore. A photo a day keeps the fear at bay....
Thanks, ladies for the replies. I actually have bought a fascinator which hopefully will outshine face. As you say, I will do my best to enjoy the day and as we are staying in the hotel of the wedding venue I can disappear to bed if need be.
Pat
Just enjoy the day. Pat. And all the best.
Hi Pat
Frustrating isnt it, for the last two years I haven't had a head photo done! I am now down to 8mgs, it has improved definitely from when I was on 40mg but as a 'friend' said last week you can still see you have a steroid face ....... hoping for 7mgs now ......
Thanks for replying, Lesley, I am going on Med cruise in October and was hoping face might be down a good bit as I should be on less than 10mg Pred by then. However, I'll just have to accept it and hide from the camera.
Pat
No sure if you have the 'Chins' too Pat, I did and they have definitely gone (mostly anyway), I can wear necklaces that I couldn't wear before, so it is improving and once it begins to get better, psychologically you feel better. But photos for me - not yet 
Enjoy your cruise !
Yes, I have the chins, fat neck, buffalo hump! I bought extension chains for my necklaces. It can only get better eh!
Pat
It will Pat, I have only felt better this past two months. ALmost gave up ..... but it will happen - keep positive
Best wishes - Lesley
What is a buffalo hump?
Yes! It depends on the person. Many of us avoided or lost the moonface appearance by cutting carbs drastically - for me the first place it went was around my midriff but the face also improved fairly quickly, Perhaps not quickly enough for a wedding this month though...
I know how you feel - my daughter got married just as I was at my worst 
Thanks, PMRPro, you are all so helpful and knowledgeable.
My moonface subsided about this time last year when I was down to about 4mg of prednisone daily. Also, at about that time, to try and lose some of the prednisone weight, I ate only vegetables and lean protein 2 days out of every 7 for about two months. That was not fun but it did help. I look back at some of the photos of me at a class reunion when I was in full blown moonface. At the time, I winced at my appearance. Now, I feel some compassion for myself, knowing what I was going through. I hope you enjoy the wedding and Ireland! Just returned from a visit there and it was lovely
A couple of months ago there was a good thread discussion on here about having the so-called 'moon face' and Kate Gilbert put up some great pics - just check it out in 'related posts'. I know the feeling as then I was more casual about 'others' having the look - but now I have such tight 'chumpy chops' (and I have done the low carb thing)
Just to finish my statement ... that I feel a wee bit resentful - not that it would really change anything - it's just that you feel people are looking at you curiously and then do you ignore that or 'explain' -Well anyway I remain hopeful that 'everything' will normalise one day !!
Have fun though as everyone suggests - might as well ...
I always felt the need to apologise for my face - go figure lol!
My moon face seemed to show up overnight but started going away when I got down to 10mg and went away rather quickly by 8mg it was back to normal along with the wrinkles !!
Don't despair it will go away all in it's own time.
I'm at 4.5 mgs and see my face returning to normal now. Helped also by a tan and newly found talent for "contouring" with makeup!
When I was on 40mg Prednisalone I did get the moon face and it didn't start visibly going down untill I tapered to under 20mg - now I'm on 7mg it's pretty much gone all together. I did try the Ascot fascinator for a while but I was getting strange looks cos I'm a bloke. So I had to put that idea to bed lol.
Yes, well I remember 'moon-face'. Have rummaged through old photos and it appears that I was returning to 'normal' about 5 years ago, after GCA diagnosis 12 years ago. Don't be disheartened, though.Weddings are exciting times!
ps In the UK, did anyone see 'Hyacinth Bouquet' being interviewed on tv , last week? First thing that came to mind..'.she's on steroids!' Chipmunk cheeks and moon-face. See, happens to us all!
Typo, meant Brantuk.
My face went back to normal after getting off pred completely. Unfortunately, there are people who are insensitive and will ask you what's wrong with your face. I was asked that right when I was finally accepting the fact that there is nothing you can do about it. I still had my picture taken with family. It's just who you are right now. So...have your picture taken with those who love you.
Hi Patb1948
My moon face is getting much better .. I'm down from orig 40mg pred to 7 since December. Just noticed the difference recently under 10mg
I see my Jowls coming back.. haha. Still no wrinkles back in my cheeks .. not a bad thing. My cottage cheese arms are also gone
I worked really hard to not gain weight
My bigger issue is all my hair loss!!!!
Good luck to you ! The moon face should go away!!
Thanks, Bonnig, that's encouraging. Maybe moon face will have gone down by October for my cruise.
Pat
Don't worry 😊, it is awful, but it will take time. I never noticed mine until I saw a photo of myself. It will change, I promise 😊 After all I have been there. So enjoy. Xx
My son gets married in three weeks time and yes, I will be there seeing friends and family for the first time since going on to steroids and developing a moon face.Fortunately due to careful eating I can still get into my dress, and as I am 77 I am told I look younger as the wrinkles are hidden to an extent, and like others get little sympsthy as I know I look well! Little do they know of the struggle to get through some days . Not as much pain as some others I suspect, but an overwhelming weakness and fatigue at times .dropping things , bruising just by tapping myself lightly on something .I could go on ! ...One of the most difficult things is trying to explain the illness to others. People keep asking if I am better. The expectation that if I am taking medication I will be back to normal in a few days..I wish !
Tiny tim
Hi Tiny Tim,
I can totally relate to all you have said and agree that family and friends do not really understand the effects of this illness especially because we look so well. Hopefully there will be light at he end of the tunnel eventually.
Pat
Hi,
I have a half moon face, blooming on one side, wrinkles on the other. Have stopped looking in the mirror. Thanks for all the information and the laughs don't know how I'd get through some days without you.
If I could have £5 for every time someone tells me I look sooo well I'd be very rich now. I'm not sure why they say it - do I look so well when sometimes I certainly don't feel it. But I have developed the smile and usual retort of " thank you very much." It's easier!!
Moon Face!!!
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