steroids and osteoarthritis

[Linbin1]

I have finally reduced my prednisolone to 2mg, from 25mg. It has taken a log time, but I am coping with the pmr. But now, I'm told the steroids have caused osteoarthritis, and I also keep forgetting everyday names of things. Do you think this is related? Also, I haven't even lost an ounce of the weight gained since starting pred. Ay ideas how I can shift it, I am trying everything.

[piglette]

A side effect of steroids is osteoporosis, we are usually prescribed vitamin D with calcium to help this and are also given a Dexascan. A low carb diet can help with weight increase. Sadly carrying on with the same diet before we started steroids can cause us to put on weight.

[SnazzyD in reply to piglette]

Do you mean osteoporosis?

[piglette in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes my brain is fogged! I will change it.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many of us had osteoarthritis before PMR, GCA or Pred… and it’s caused by affected joints primarily. But do you mean osteoarthritis or osteoporosis? As piglette has said steroids can affect bone strength - which may lead to osteoporosis.

As for not remembering - could be result of chronic illness - very common or Pred. See this post-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

Weight - cut carbs drastically. See this from FAQs-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[piglette in reply to DorsetLady]

Soory I meant osteoporosis but my brain failed!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

Was asking Linbin1….😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Weight first - cutting carbs, sometimes drastically is one of the best approaches.

The pred MAY have caused the OA, or it may have happened anyway. I've been on pred for 14+ years - it hasn't caused OA for me. Doctors tend to blame pred for everything - it's all grist to the scare tactics they use to frighten us off pred.

[Pixix]

my weight isn’t shifting either, tbh. I’m on 2mg after 4 years. My OA started before PMR, but has spread & worsened. It was masked by high doses of steroids, but obvious by time I was on about 9mg. The pred didn’t cause it, I’m sure. It’s hereditary for me with both parents suffering. Don’t know why Drs blame pred. I did shift a stone by going on the Jeto duet. I’ve made sure that doesn’t go back on, but I need to start it again, I’ve another 3 stone to shift yet. If you look in FAQs there’s interesting diet info there, also look at related posts, and/or search on diet, it’s a regular topic, as affects so many!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

It is said that pred can underlie erosion of joint cartilage which is what is happening in osteoarthritis.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting, thanks. I had a lot of pred during my worst ‘lung years’. Short spells of 3 weeks, but a lot of them. Could be what set mine off at an earlier age than my parents. I’d like to blame something else, as I’ve inherited a few things. They were such lovely people who would be very upset to see me sick. S xx

[Missus835]

Osteoarthritis or Osteoporosis? I have osteoporosis and it is confirmed from Pred. Just checking.

[Linbin1 in reply to Missus835]

Osteoporosis....my mistake

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Linbin1]

In that case then have a look at Bone Health in FAQs and ROS website -very helpful -they also have a helpline-

theros.org.uk

.. and maybe edit title of post to read osteoporosis- or just add an edit in the main body

[ithurts1]

have a look at Michael Mosley’s Fast 800 eating plan. Includes a fasting period to work best. I do mine from after evening meal to lunchtime. Lost 2 1/2 stone. Didn’t follow it to the letter as I still drank tea and a coffee and around 3 wines a week!!

[Wouldlovetorun in reply to ithurts1]

Hello ithurts1!Congratulations with your weight loss. That's a massive amount of weight.

How do you take pred if you are fasting at breakfast time?

x