low low carb diet while on prednisone

[SLCR]

For me, the only successful dieting I’ve done in my life are low carb diets, I generally cut down to 10-15 carbs per day and lose what I want to and stop. Currently I’m tapering off prednisone, which I started in March for presumed PMR, which is now Sjorgens and possibly non erosive RA or AS. But I’m doing great on plaquenil and I’m down to 6mg daily of prednisone, I’m going down by 1mg per week as the plaquenil can take up to one year for the full effect, my doctor is letting me taper down my way. I’d like to get back to very low carb eating now, I gave it up while I was in the thick of my medical issues. I have read that taking prednisone just cancels out the effects of the low carb diet? Like maybe you can’t even get into ketosis? Does anyone have any experience with this? Thank you as always. Stephanie

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Low carb eating is what we recommend here to avoid weight gain and developing steroid-induced diabetes.

When on pred it may be very difficult, even impossible, to get into ketogenesis because pred triggers the liver to release random spikes of glucose into the blood from the body stores in the liver and muscles. This inevitably leads to the release of insulin but since the size of the spike suggests to the body there is a meal on its way, there s too much insulin sending the BG level plunging and creating hunger and a craving for carbs to bring it back up again. Andy excess glucose is stored as body fat - because of the insulin.

Nevertheless, low carb does work to moderate weight gain when on pred and many even have been able to lose weight. How MUCH you have to reduce your carb intake to be able to lose weight depends on you - I have to get very low to lose weight, almost keto level, keeping it stable is far easier. For many just cutting processed carbs, added sugar and limiting fruit to berries is enough and they are able to lose weight

[SLCR in reply to PMRpro]

thank you— I’m going to give it a try

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SLCR]

I managed to lose 35lbs while on 10-15mg pred - it can be done!

[Joseph14612 in reply to PMRpro]

Great info....I am one of those who has lost weight, because I eat stir fried veggies in olive oil for breakfast and dinner...for breakfast I try to have a couple strips of bacon and dinner a little chicken or similar for protein...I have lost 20 pounds in 4 months and sugar levels have stayed within range where doctor has decided to wait on medication....in the morning I prick my finger and sugar is just under 100, then later in the day I used to get up in the 200 range but lately the highest has been 150-160. I was diagnosed with PMR/GCA back in August and put on 60 mg prednisone....been weaned off as low as 30 mg but symptoms come back....I am currently on40 mg and still have headache and blurred vision...

[SLCR in reply to Joseph14612]

wow! That’s impressive!

[SLCR]

that’s inspiring! Thank you

[agingfeminist]

i haven't been in ketosis but had to cut my carb intake to very very low - no flour products (no baked goods or pasta), no potatoes, no rice,

also as I was trending towards diabetes, no sugars (no fruit juice, no high sugar fruits....small amount of dates, or date syrup as occasional sweetener in low carb puds I made as a treat e.g. creme caramel)

It worked very well for me...weight stable and no diabetes...at least i got that right...but nothing I could do to prevent very rapid muscle loss at high doses of pred. Grrr! And the adrenal fatigue!!!!!!!!! The pred is a wonder drug BUT....

[Joseph14612 in reply to agingfeminist]

Same here...muscle loss is terrible! i do cheat here and there on diet, like a half teaspoon of raw honey in my black coffee, Quakers Oats oatmeal once every couple weeks with 0 fat milk (I know, not good)..I also try to have a little fruit, blueberries, apple, grapes, dried prunes, almonds, roasted corn nuts, etc. Then I try to get out every day with my wife and walk around the stores and markets for a little exercise when I can ( also have back problems which limits my walking, but the shopping cart helps!)