I have developed a ‘waddle’

[Rymer]

I have only been on Pred for 3.5 months and currently reducing down from 10 to 9. I have developed a slight moon face/ puffy ness on occasions but have also developed a largest waddle under my chin. I also have an under active thyroid which was ok when checked recently. Is this a side effect of Pred or just old age chipping in with its too pennies worth to make life more difficult? You all have such a wealth of experience that it is so reassuring to be able to check these odd things out. Thanks in advance.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Think you mean a wattle (as in turkey)....but you could well have a waddle (like a duck) as well! 😉 sorry, no joke I know...been there, blah, blah, blah.....and yes it is a side effect of Pred...will reduce as you lower dose.

[Rymer in reply to DorsetLady]

That’s a relief! Fortunately I don’t have a waddle (yet!!) but just off to a family wedding and feel like I’m carrying a pouch like a stork. Still worse things at sea and perhaps I shouldn’t hang onto my vanity so much, Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rymer]

I know how you feel..I didn’t have a wedding to attend, but a funeral…still felt self conscious of my moon face..it’s normal…but people will be looking at the bride not you.

[Peptink in reply to Rymer]

That’s one upside to wearing a mask! Wattle hiding! 🦃

[YuliK in reply to Rymer]

A mask covers a multitude of temporary defects. 😷

[Nightingales in reply to DorsetLady]

I turned into a penguin for a while when my back was bad, now I am turning into a spider because I have lost a lot of weight everywhere but my big round stomach. Maybe these should be on the list of Prednisolone side effects. 🤣🤣🕷🕷

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Nightingales]

Perhaps they should…..😂🤣😂.. better reading than what’s in the PIL at the moment.

Patient Information Leaflet.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nightingales]

They probably are but not necessarily recognisable - it is Cushingoid appearance, coloquially decribed as a lemon with cocktail stick arms and legs

[Nightingales in reply to PMRpro]

That’s me....now all I need is the G and T.

[Exhiker in reply to DorsetLady]

I don't know about a wattle but I've definitely developed a waddle 🤣

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Exhiker]

..all you need is a hoddle!

[ackagee in reply to Exhiker]

My wife says I'm doing the 'Poly Waddle' when I walk...

[Exhiker in reply to ackagee]

🤣🤣 poly waddle. That's a good one.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It's a mild version of the dreaded pred moonface - but since mine is appearing now in step with aging as well as 15mg pred I have been paying more attention and see lots of people who probably aren't on pred have one too!!!! When it comes to weight gain I have said in the past that on that basis more than half the UK population must be on pred!!!

[YuliK in reply to PMRpro]

At least it’s less scary than being told you have a Buffalo 🦬 Hump.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to YuliK]

Dunno - I know which I'd rather! You can hide the hump!

[jinasc]

Called 'chicken neck' in my neck of the woods. Mine came with Moonface and whilst the Moonface went away, which I was sad about as it then meant my wrinkles came back. The Chicken Neck did not.............grrrrrrr

[SnazzyD]

Yes, Pred gave me a temporary back hump, moon face, jelly belly, stick legs, wattle and side burns. Happy to report they drastically improved on low doses. Low salt is a good idea too because Pred makes you retain more sodium so you get fluid retention. That’s until you get below about 7mg when any low adrenal function causes the opposite effect so you bring it back in a bit.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SnazzyD]

Ad man's honest slogan (makes a change and definitely factual) - ...

Pred - the med that keeps on giving!💊💊💊

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes! The hump!

[YuliK in reply to Constance13]

Connie I always look like I’ve just come out of a swimming pool. My hair is literally soaking wet.

[SheffieldJane in reply to SnazzyD]

Well we love you just as you are.

[Lollybygolly]

I had no idea how vain I was till I developed the moon face, double chin, belly and hump... from now on it’s going to have to be character and personality not looks as I’m as round as a dumpling. The upside is everybody talks to me, assuming I’m jolly... so it’s not all bad.

[SnazzyD in reply to Lollybygolly]

Yes, and the rosy cheeks made everyone say how well I looked when I felt awful. I really wanted deck them after a while.

[Nightingales in reply to Lollybygolly]

I am going for clean and tidy and I don’t always achieve that!

[Louisa1840]

Big Stomachs of the World UNITE!!!

[Hankb]

Hi Rymer I'm in the same position as you almost; similar time on pred also have under active thyroid and have developed moon face and have developed a wattle since being on pred. Unfortunately it's one of the side effects of the medication.

[Sufferinginsilence]

Oh, me too. I'm so self-conscious of my moon face, sideburns, waddle (never heard this term before but I certainly have it!) and huge stomach, unfortunately I don't even have the stick arms and legs - they're rotund too. Currently on 10mg reducing to 9mg so hoping it will all dissipate eventually. At least we've got a sense of humour 😃

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sufferinginsilence]

Sense of humour absolutely essential!

[Fieldofdreams]

I empathise. I'd never been called 'bonny' so many times as when my moon face appeared. At least it made me feel 'young and bonny' lol.

[YuliK]

Going out without a front tooth is really the last straw. Im waiting for the area to heal up. My dentist is fixing me with a temporary tooth.

Thank the Lord for the masks. 🤣🤣

[Lollybygolly]

These comments made me think: when I see somebody now with the pred face and extra weight I stop and think of how much pain they must have suffered before that treatment was given. We’re a little band of survivors, heroes in some cases though not in mine. Life is sweet, and I’m grateful not to be in constant agony. My Doc wants a reduction but I think I’ll offer a Chinese burn to anyone snatching my preds. Yes I will try to keep them to a minimum.