Weight gain

[bowler]

2 weeks ago I started taking Hydrocortisone 3 times a day, 10mgs 5mgs 5mgs

I was on 5 mgs of Prednisolone, just one a day but as my cortisol level was low my Endo changed me over, to the Hydrocortisone , I have noticed in just 2 weeks I have gained 3lbs has anyone else had this weight problem ?

[bowler]

Thank you for your reply, I have been on steroids [ prednisolone ]for over 20 years due to another health issue, and did gain weight, but once down to 5 mgs I lost the weight gain,

As 20mgs of hydrocortisone is the equivalent of 5mgs of Pred, I didn't think I would gain weight, Oh well I will have to watch what I eat, as I cannot afford to gain weight due to my heart disease

[greygoose in reply to bowler]

It's not what you eat, it's water retention with HC. Same thing happened to me.

[bowler in reply to greygoose]

Oh dear with my heart disease, and kidney disease I cannot afford to have water retention, which I didn't have on the Prednisolone I will have to talk to my Endo.

[greygoose in reply to bowler]

Yes, he should have thought about that before prescribing it.

[Hidden]

They have now changed the conversion of Pred to Hydrocortisone so rather than being 5mgs of HC to 1mg of Pred, it is now 3mgs to 1mgs so you are on slightly more than when on Pred. As it is replacement steroids the theory is that we shouldn't gain weight as we are replacing what we don't produce, however it does seem to be a consequence of them. As replacing steroids still doesn't really match how the body secretes it at a continuos rate with boosts during the day, it is sometimes better to take smaller doses but more frequently trying to match the circadian cycle. By taking it 3 times a day we get very high peaks an hour after we take it, this is when we get the weight gain, but we also get lows when there is a long gap between doses. This chart from Prof Hindmarsh from GOSH explains it better than me! Also you can request to go back to Pred if you found that it suited you much better than HC. I tried Pred but couldn't get on with that.

[bowler in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply and info. I think maybe my body is use to Prednisolone as I have been on it for over 20 years, which caused my adrenal insufficiency, so taking it for one thing caused another, so I will be on treatment for the rest of my life,

If I ask to go back on the Pred, I think I will need more than the 5mgs I was on as it wasn't enough due to my low cortisol level of 117 I don't see my Endo for another 6 months as he has only just started me on the hydrocortisone and his letter stated don't decrease until I see him, I suppose I had better give it a chance , but if the weight goes' up too much I may have to contact him, due to my heart and kidney's.

Sorry for seeming dim on this matter but like I said I have only been on it for a short while

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to bowler]

If you find you are continuing to gain weight then contact him sooner than the 6 months. If you are on Facebook there is a very good group called UK Addison's Disease & AI info & support group, there are a lot of knowledgeable people on there. There are a lot of people in the same situation as you, having SAI from long term steroid use.

[bowler in reply to Hidden]

Thank you