Well my moon face has developed! I had a Zoom meeting last night and couldn't stop looking at myself. I think I'll have to get my hair cut to try to look a bit better. I haven't put any weight on though.
Funny, because only 2 weeks ago we were at an event and photos were taken - no moon face then, so it seems to have developed rather suddenly. I'm 2 and a half months into taking pred 30mg. What are other people's experiences of this please? And can I get rid of it? I particularly don't like the loss of my chin...
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Broseley
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The best you can do is cut carbs and salt - carbs contributes to the fat deposition and salt to fluid retention that are so common alongside pred. Cutting processed carbs does both at one stroke but carbs usually needs a bit more application.It does seem to depend on the person - some never get it, for others it is the only sign of being on pred. I don't have moon face - but my face is chubbier than I'd like but I could do with losing a few kilos in general.
I have gained some over the last couple of years - especially last year at the start of Covid when my activity level was cut drastically and left more time to want to eat! I lost more than half of that though since Lent - I hate to think what I put on while OH was ill and then especially while the girls were here. Eating was very disorganised for a time!
Me too...12 weeks in...slightly fuller face, but no weight gain ...as yet. We will see what lack of walks does in the Winter....trying to force my way through the fatigue to gentle stretching exercises indoors. 😉
My face and the usual body parts suddenly went poof around the 3 months mark. Because I went onto a low carb diet from the start I had no weight gain too, but what fat I did have and you do need some, sent to my chops, neck, belly and hump. What I discovered later was that I was really sensitive to salt and had to give up practically all salt, even in sauces or dressings, until my dose dropped. If I didn’t I got very puffy eyes. I’m so glad Zoom wasn’t a thing then!
One of the advantages of wearing specs!!!! Especially sunglasses ...
I didn't gain weight as such either except as a result of inactivity with untreated PMR - but as soon as I started pred, it redistributed! But when I went low carb the midriff and facial deposits shrank a lot.
It’s trial and error to see what is ok for you. I found that if i went off the rails it took a few days to normalise again. Under 7mg I started to introduce it back because of low adrenal function.
I have not gained any weight but 5 months in I hate the way I look. I know it’s not important in the whole scheme of things but thank goodness for wearing a mask when I go out. Not only do I have moon face but my neck is full of fat. I also only wear elastic pants because my stomach also protrudes. I am seriously going to try to cut way back on carbs
My experience is very similar to yours. But I don't fancy going to a hairdresser at the moment, being as she can't keep even 1m away, let alone two. More than half my hair has fallen out anyway, so it's fairly easy to cut it myself.Zoom tip: turn off the video function! The added bonus is that if the meeting is too boring, you can play a game at the same time without anyone noticing.
The upside of my moon face is that a recent acquaintance thought I was her age! I’m 15 years older!! Shame about my fatty hump though, think I’m turning camel😀
Hi, a problem with zoom over the lock down is having to look at my face all the time. The moon face came the first time when I was on 30mg of pred and then the cheek bones cam back when I got down to 7mg. I had tried and failed to control my weight on higher does, yet once I was down to 10mg I juts lost the weight really easily. Last June I was diagnosed with GCA as well as PMR, up went the pred and moon face/extra weight came back. Now I am on 8mg and the weight is going again and hoping the cheek bones return for the Christmas photos.
I was diagnosed with PMR four years ago. Managed to taper down to 2mg for over a year (guided by GP). Now back up to 10mg (guided by myself as GPs seem to have gone AWOL!). Severe moon face now - so embarrassing - and put on loads of weight. Now on low carb diet and substantially reduced salt intake. (You must watch this in very hot weather though). Here’s hoping things will improve. It’s bad enough having aches and pains without losing my confidence at meeting people.
Only found this site last year but it’s so useful. Thanks. 🙂
My moon face appeared about 2 and a half months after starting Prednisolone. I don't mind too much because it has stretched the wrinkles and parchment skin (I'm 69 years old) and most people say I look younger. It is surprising though.
I'm still doing 10 Zooms a week so I have got used to the "new look". I'm hoping it will begin to subside soon as I am almost down to 5mg (week 4 of 5 week ½mg DL taper).
At 5mg my moon face has almost gone but still struggle with the facial hair. Bought a Braun mini shaver for half price on Black Sunday and this does deal with the fluff and prickly bits. Also I had hair loss when on high Pred 45mg to start off but that has stopped and helped by Biotin tablets it has really thickened up. I did have a short hair cut as well and gave up colouring it. I'm now a silver-haired old lady with a hump and stiff legs. That's what the GCA/PMR fairy can do for you - and are we grateful -no!
I'm a silverhaired lady too - but I met a neighbour from further down the road yesterday whose daughter had seen OH's death notice and asked "Isn't that the husband of the lady with the blond hair from No 19"
Biotin did nothing for me. Hair loss for 5 years, but pred has stopped that now! But I'm having to have a go at my top lip and chin with the tweezers on a weekly basis!
It is a bit depressing to see yourself - especially if someone takes a photo! I have been on preds since Feb but moon face only started about July . Haven't put weight on though.
I had an eye infection in the summer and had to take a selfie to send to the GP. Oh my goodness- I literally wouldn’t have recognised myself if I hadn’t taken the pic myself 😳 Not just moonface, but a drawn, exhausted look, and such thin hair!!! I keep telling myself I’m the same person inside…..💪xx
Hi there, same as some of the others, I developed moonface within a couple of months … and now, a year and three months on I’m carrying an extra stone and a half (ugh); but as Pred is reducing, so face is just slightly de-swelling. Only a bit, but just discernible. Good luck…I’ll keep trying with the attack on carbs!
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