Prednisone and decreased appetite???

[SLCR]

I am on my trial period of prednisone for suspected PMR. It seems to decrease my appetite and after 1 week, lost 2 lbs?? 20mg, anybody have this with Prednisone or am I just being fooled for a few days.

Thanks— Stephanie

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Most people complain appetite is increased…

[Kendrew]

No idea what's happening there but it's normally the other way around!

[Constance13]

Very rarely someone loses weight on Pred - I was one however. I’ve had PMR for 10 years and have lost over two and a half stones altogether. Be careful, it could just be a ‘blip’ though!

[SLCR in reply to Constance13]

I’m certainly hoping this lasts! Thank you!

[autumnlass]

I too, was like Constance 13 and I have lost 2 stones in weight since July 2020 when PMR started. 💐

[Hildalew in reply to autumnlass]

Have you perhaps been very firm with yourself about carbohydrates?

[autumnlass in reply to Hildalew]

I think your message was for SLCR Hildalew.

I wish I could be stricter with carbs!!

[Maisie1958]

When I started on 20mg Pred daily, I felt very whizzy and energetic (after hardly being able to move) and had no hunger, weight was melting off me. However once below 10mg daily I was feeling too comfortable and rediscovered pasta and wine and put the weight back on - and more unfortunately! Wish I had continued to count those carbs. All the best x

[Seacat30]

Me! I had already been on a diet and didn't need to lose weight. The weight loss accellerated with the pred. I had to stuff myself.

[SLCR in reply to Seacat30]

It’s so strange, I braced myself for a ravenous appetite and it never came. I put a little bit on my plate and don’t go back. I will go with this and hope it lasts!

[Seacat30 in reply to SLCR]

I am 5 foot 5 and my weight went down to 8 stone 4. I have dragged it back up to 8 stone 10 because of accusations of being scrawny. I was expecting to find high ESR and CRP levels indicating uncontrolled PMR in January. Just got a letter saying they were normal which is loads better than at diagnosis. Confused.

[tangocharlie in reply to Seacat30]

They would be normal if the Pred is doing it's job, that's what it's supposed to do

[Seacat30 in reply to tangocharlie]

I was glad to discover that.

[Constance13 in reply to Seacat30]

Ditto!😂. 5ft 5ins - 8st 10 now. I’m certainly not scrawny though.

[Seacat30 in reply to Constance13]

No I am offended but my family ganged up on me.

[tangocharlie]

I'm so jeolous! I struggle to get the weight down like many on steroids.

[autumnlass in reply to tangocharlie]

Although losing the 2 stones in weight I cannot get below that level ..🤯 … here’s hoping!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I didn't lose weight at that rate unfortunately but I had been craving comfort food in the afternoons with untreated PMR. The first day I took 15mg pred, not only could I move freely under 6 hours later - I realised the cup of tea I had fetched was all I needed, no wondering what carb it was I wanted to calm me down. My daughter is the same - goes off food.

A small proportion of patients do lose weight on pred - and for a few it can become a problem.

[Broseley in reply to PMRpro]

I get weighed when I go to see rheumy, but they don't have my records so can't tell me if I've gained or lost. I keep a record at home, but the scales at the hospital showed me to be 11 stone whereas my scales show 10 stone 5! I know which one I prefer.

[Hidden in reply to Broseley]

I’m 5” 1 1/2Weigh 9 stone 7

But can still fit in size 10 uk so that’s what matters to me.

Muddle age spread definitely changed my shape though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Now there's a typo that fits ...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

It’s so true as well, - muddle age! But wait..... if I have hairy feet too does this mean I’m turning into The Hobbit 😁

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I suppose if you eat and laugh a lot you might be ..

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Laughing is a no no due to stress incontinence caused by LS but I’m of a merry disposition 😉

[sandydame in reply to Hidden]

Seeimg all these funnies this morning is really cheering me up. I am well past model age , another typo! I meant muddle age! I weigh about the same as I used to. But the Sands have shifted most evident when I wear my outfit for the shore. And for yet another funny check out the name I chose. 😊 eat well and and healthy for your circumstances and be Merry!

[Broseley in reply to Hidden]

9 st 7 is really good. I would love to get down to that (5'4"). I was 12st 7 before PMR hit but had just lost 2 stone on a diet then continued to lose another half stone on pred but now slowly putting it on again.

[Hidden in reply to Broseley]

Interesting you say that’s a good weight, when I went to see nurse for check to continue getting HRT she told me I was clinically obese as BMI nearly too high. Went home cried a bit then had tea and biscuits 😝 I mean! Surely they take into account ones age and build. It’s hard to please these people, when I was 7 stone they recorded that I was anorexic when really I was just depressed. I weigh more now than when at 36 weeks pregnant, my baby was a few weeks early and weighed 5.5 pounds. I think the chart they use to decide these things needs to be broader, how can I be obese if I can wear a size 10, the whole thing really upset me 🙃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

There is a LOT of discussion about how BMI is a REALLY bad way of deciding if someone is overweight or not.

According to the calculators I am obese. However, my line is I am under-tall. If my legs were longer, in proportion to my trunk, I would be overweight, but not seriously so. I am 5'1" - but buying clothes is a nightmare. The so-called "designed for shorter ladies" stuff is useless - the waist is halfway to my neck and waist to crutch of trousers far too short. Normal fit is OK - except for leg length. I have yet to buy "normal fit" trousers that didn't need to be shortened by a good 4 inches, often more. If I were 5'5" I'd be fine ...

This current fashion (in Italy at least) of halfmast leg length looks promising - but why on earth do you want mid-calf length trousers when it is a mere minus 4C outside at lunchtime?

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Add ski socks to the ensemble and you’ll be bang on trend!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I suspect it is to show off the vastly expensive winter boots with high ankles and fur ...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Have you tried Boden, I use them for petite size dresses and skirts - when the sales is on!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

No - the petite cut is just wrong for my shoulder to crutch measurement, I live in jeans and t-shirts. Have a lovely pair of summerweight jeans that are supposed to be shorter length and are the perfect length for me without losing the decorate finish on the hem. Can't wear them in summer mind - far too warm!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Sadly I stopped wearing jeans with the advent of LS

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

That would be awful for me - not sure when I last wore a skirt!

[Broseley in reply to PMRpro]

I am 5ft 4 but have short legs and arms. Sleeves can been rolled up, but trousers, like you, have always been a problem. Even M&S short length are too long for me. I now get mine from Damart. They do shorter length down to 25 inches. My inside leg is 27 inches. They also do pull on elasticated waist jeans which are so comfy!! My long waist means I have to get long jumpers though, as I hate having to continually pull shorter ones down when they ride up and expose your back!I love it when the half mast trousers come back in. They're usually just right for me!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Broseley]

I think my arms are relatively long - my father was a similar build and his finger tip to finger tip measurement was more than his height which apparently is unusual. But yes - can't abide a gap at the back, especially in winter. That's the sign it is no longer summer!

[Broseley in reply to Hidden]

That's appalling. They should never say that. Try this link. It says at 5ft 2 and 9st 7 you are a healthy weight. one2onediet.com/bmi-calcula...

[ubaoz]

When I was first diagnosed with PMR, I lost my appetite completely for about 4 weeks and so lost quite a bit of weight as a result. However I suspect it was more due to the effect of the illness itself hitting me hard initially rather than an effect of pred. Hopefully your appetite will return to normal after a things settle down a bit perhaps?

[Broseley]

Couldn't get it to paste, then lost the page! Done now.

[Hidden in reply to Broseley]

Hip hip hurrah thank you that’s made me feel better, much appreciated

[Greytree]

I lost about 11 pounds U.S. (.8 stone?) in six weeks when I started Prednisone in October. I thought I was eating loads. But when I started a food diary I found I was eating really healthy (vegs, eggs, fruits) but few calories. I was already thin so it was not good. It made me weaker. I have managed to add about half back by continuing the diary and making sure the foods are healthy but also items that will “stick to my ribs,” as my father used to say.

[SLCR in reply to Greytree]

It is definitely putting a big damper on my appetite. I am at the weight I need to be at, so I’ll just need to maintain. I’m just literally shocked because I thought I would be snacking like crazy, I can’t even muster up the idea of enjoying some cookies with my coffee, which I normally kill for! I will have Girl Scout Cookies soon! Stephanie

[Suet3942]

Hi Stephanie. When I was first diagnosed 9 years I had been in pain for some time. Not only pain but I just felt very unwell. So I lost weight initially but when pmr was under control I got my appetite back. I don't think people realise that not only are you in excruciating pain but you feelill as well .

[BabyRuby1]

I lost weight too when I started. 20 mg a day Prednisone made me spacey and no appetite. Just wait…two months later I was eating and gaining….but my cravings totally changed. I craved more carbs..gained water weight…now on 3 mg after 6 months, and no appetite again. Good I’m losing weight and getting off this crap. Still have some pain…it comes and goes

[SheffieldJane]

PMR made me lose weight and eventually I started to experience the voracious, righteous, appetite of steroids. You may be experiencing the symptoms of the condition. Be ready with a carb ban, just incase.