weight loss jabs and prednisone

[scooby96]

good morning, just wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to use the weight loss jabs whilst taking prednisone ?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There are quite a few members on here who have PMR and diabetes - so they take the drugs that are being suggested for weight loss. But it is something that you would need to discuss with GP.. and we would always say if your weight gain is a result of taking Pred, then there are other ways of addressing it. Cutting carbs being one..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Since it really is possible to lose weight on pred I think cutting carbs is a far better option than introducing medications that are very new and, I would bet, all the side effects haven't get emerged. Apparently quite a high proportion of the people who start them for weight loss stop because of side effects before they get to the point of weight loss. And a clinical study found that 2/3 of people who used them for weight loss regained the weight when they discontinued the injections and even went slightly above their former weight.

[scooby96 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I’m doing low carbs but I’ve always had weight problems not just due to pred. I’m doing quite well on 7mg at the mo and am concerned about possible side effects and def don’t want to upset pmr. It’s been difficult to exercise but doing a bit more

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to scooby96]

I've struggled with my weight most of my life too - so while I should lose more, I accept where I am. Unless there is anyone on the forum who is one one of the drugs for diabetes, not sure about the effects on PMR. Would you qualify for it on the NHS?

[scooby96 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m not sure, maybe.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to scooby96]

Can only ask I suppose

[Koalajane in reply to scooby96]

A lot of diabetics can’t get them as there are strict criteria for the weight loss injections

[scooby96 in reply to Koalajane]

Oh I thought having diabetes one of qualifying criteria

[Koalajane in reply to scooby96]

Are you diabetic? I am type 2 and have been in remission for ove 6 years . I still have PMR and am on 3.5mg.

I lost weight and got my type 2 into remission by cutting carbs, in fact I lost about 4 stone and have kept it off by eating low carb

[Koalajane]

I think your hba1c has to be a certain level and also weight a certain level. Your doctor should be able to tell you but I know if diabetics who are self funding

[scooby96]

no I’m not diabetic , high blood pressure but it is under control

[agingfeminist]

I have never had problems putting on weight but the pred quickly changed all that. Fortunately had joined this forum. I cut carbs ...and then cut more...found hidden carbs in fruit juices...and cut until wieght was stable. I am now on only 1mg of pred but still need to watch the carbs...small amount of bread ...no biscuits, cakes, pasta, rice, one small potato occasionally. But do eat a handful of nuts each day. Can just about stop my weight from creeping up. You mentioned exercise...lots of evidence that exercise doesn't help weight loss...it is diet that makes the difference.

for variety, use chatGpt for recipes. Give it a few ingredients and it will produce wonderful recipes. You can ask for low carb recipes with your ingredients.

[Potemkin]

have a look at Second Nature - they run several weight loss programmes that are very holistic - helping you understand why you eat. They do one with the weight loss drug and I think there's a questionnaire.

[ChrisBeeLoop]

I have been very lucky so far and my actual weight gain has been small but I have moon face, bison hump and currently look about 6 months pregnant. And I have just noticed fat knees! But one day that will go, so the steroids are OK with me for now.

Low carbs are deffo the a good way to manage your weight and blood sugar levels. Did you know that if you cool overnight and then reheat cooked pasta or potatoes, it changes the starch into “resistant” starch which your body finds harder to absorb so there is less weight gain? I think it may also apply to bread if you freeze it first

[Koalajane in reply to ChrisBeeLoop]

I think it works the same with bread. I freeze mine because I only have 1 slice a day and then toast it and it doesn’t seem to do much for weight gain or sugars

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChrisBeeLoop]

Some people claim that reheating reverses the resistant starch formation - lot of disagreement both ways!!!

[scooby96]

thanks everyone

[camshall]

I thought this new drug for diabetes had a side effect of weight loss, the NHS won't prescribe it for non diabetic patients as there is a shortage of this drug due to it being hailed as a miracle weight loss treatment.

[Pmr2026]

I was on the newest one of these diabetes and weight loss jabs Mounjaro when I was diagnosed with PMR and GCA and my GP prescribed prednisone no problem and my rheumy upped my dose to 60mg knowing that i am on the Mounjaro and started me on Actemra also. a lot of side effects from all of them but I'd rather live with them than the temporal headache I had.