Stomach muscles

[zoey12]

Had any one lost their stomach muscles with prednisolone. Mine are quite good but am I in danger of loosing them as a side effect. I have been on pred 6 months and I am on 5 mg now. Would appreciate anyone’s experience. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I doubt you will LOSE them - they may get out of condition! And fat has a habit of storing itself round about there - cutting carbs may help with that.

[zoey12 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. My muscles are quite strong always have been. But as I have lost leg muscles on upper legs. I am worried stomach muscles might go with pred. Leaving me with a permanent big belly. As at the moment if I pull it in a bit. It helps

[SheffieldJane]

Well mine still work 6 + years in and no special exercises. At 5 mgs you will soon be out of the woods and able to do gentle sit ups or similar with any luck, the thought of which is inconceivable to me. I look a lot better if I pay attention to my posture.You are right that long term steroid use can cause muscle weakness in the susceptible and inactivity will compound that. I only really notice that my grip is weak. Fortunately I have two strong men to open jars for me and a device I never use.

[zoey12]

Thank you So hopefully. I won’t loose my muscle. And will he able to improve my posture which will help belly

[pata63]

Earlier this year I suddenly developed a divercated rectus abdominus (aka rectus abdominis diastasis). I've been managing with PMR for a few years and lost muscle mass in other places but this one snuck up on me. One day there was a ominous bulge when I did sit ups. 😱 I've had two previous hernia repairs (one umbilical, one inguinal) so I know the dangers.

Fortunately I already had an appointment with a specialist to check out a prostate problem, so I was able to get the diagnosis from him. Not an abdominal wall hernia. I took advice from a few places (youtube physiotherapy, handouts from my gym trainer) on what to do and what to not do. So most of this year I've been banned from carrying heavy weights, doing full situps, Planks in Yoga, some Pilates exercises, etc. Just very light exercise to try and build up abdominal muscles again.

Given my experience I'd try and do simple stomach muscle building exercises before your muscles weaken to the point mine did. Prevention is easier than recovery.

[agingfeminist]

my upper leg and arm muscles visibly dissolved away on large doses of steroids (60, 40mg over several months)...it was alarming. Now on 4mg and still struggling to getting the muscles back...all attempts, no matter how gentle, seem to inflame the muscle or turn them to jelly. I try to do two minutes of gentle exercises every couple of hours...I am persistent...not that it seems to make any difference after several months! BUT stomach muscles have never been affected!

[TheBencher in reply to agingfeminist]

Wow. Your description of upper leg and arm muscles visibly dissolving, is exactly how I would describe what happened to me, had I thought of it. It certainly was alarming to members of my family. I've read that daily use of steroids can cause muscle wasting, but interestingly, I've never been on them. In my case,the muscle wasting appears to have been caused by the PMR. Fortunately, I've turned the corner on the worst of the symptoms. I still have leftover bursitis and/or tendinopathy in my shoulders, which is hampering exercising. And my glutes, hamstrings and knees still have some stiffness and tender points, but I am able to ride a bicycle and my thighs are definitely firming up. I think the cyclical motion is why it works without pain. Maybe that's an exercise option.

[MiloCollie]

I can’t help. I don’t even know if I have any stomach muscles. And that’s BEFORE PMR ! 😂

[HappyDiamonds]

I have been on much higher doses of Pred for a long time and I have muscle wastage in my legs that I am working on. Unfortunately my stomach too and I would currently put a Buddha to shame 😂 but if im honest I have always been plump in that area.

[Viveka]

Have been on Pred for 18 months, much higher doeses with GCA. Have been able to exercise most of this time. I do studio pilates with the same small group of women and easily keep up. Stomach, legs, fine. One thing I have noticed is that I am on lower springs for some shoulder exercises but that has always been a dodgy area for me because of impingement and cartilege op, also hypermobility so it may be a coincidence. What I would say is that I am not making progress and getting stronger - more it is a case of keeping what I have. I wouldn't worry on the level of pred you are on. If you can exercise it should be fine. X

[zoey12 in reply to Viveka]

Thank you. I am glad you have been able to exercise. That gives me hope of doing more exercise myself. More than I am doing at moment. I need to do more. Thanks

[Harrywogan]

Hi zoey 12,I've lost my good bum and I've been on pred 5years ,now I swim 4times a week and that has helped me so good luck.x

[zoey12 in reply to Harrywogan]

Thanks for reply. I will have to start swimming again. Never seem to get there. My very firm bum has gone do you think it will ever return. I just hope I don’t loose my stomach muscles as I will look even fatter if I do. And these horrible changes happen so fast

[Harrywogan in reply to zoey12]

Zoey,I look like a skint rat without clothes on,and iam only size 8 ,it's horrible,hate my body but so many people worse off. take care x

[zoey12 in reply to Harrywogan]

Yes I hate my body too. In January this year I was proud of my body at 66 yrs. old. But just after a few weeks I didn’t recognise myself. Boobs drooped. Also lost 2 1/2 inch in about 2 weeks off my boobs. Body all blubber skinny legs. God knows what it’s doing inside. I hope to get off pred as soon as possible. I will be going to see Chinese medicine shop soonx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to zoey12]

I'd celebrate 2+ inches off my boobs ...