Steroid Weight Gain

[Red-head44]

hi everyone. Been back on 40mg steroids and coming back down. I’m at 15 at the mo. I’d lost 2 stone from weight gain from initial steroids from 2016 but have put back on 1.5 stone. I’ve contacted a dietician privately and have cut out all sugar and salt since second week in Jan 25. Eating extremely healthily following a Mediterranean diet mostly but each week weight creeps up another 1lb or so. I’m assuming it’s nothing I’m doing wrong and I’ll continue gaining weight until I’m back off steroids??

[PMRpro]

Ordinary healthy eating isn't good enough - you have to be really low on carbs to avoid weight gain when you are on steroids. It isn't just sugar - it is all carbs, including most fruit which must be limited (berries are best).

Come over to the PMRGCAuk forum - we are all on pred and many of us have minimised weight gain and even lost weight while on pred so have lots of advice to offer.

[Investigator1]

PMPpro is spot on. When I started on Steroidscit was approaching lockdown. I had already been on a low carb lifestyle for 2 years, and I still am. It’s not Keto (it was) but I just like to keep my daily carb intake under about 80. I did and still do exercise. Not excessive, mostly walking (done 25k this week so far) will be on the pushbike today for an hour. It helped me so much. Meet at it Red-head. And don’t forget to have a few treats in there too. We’re only human. Nick.

[Red-head44 in reply to Investigator1]

I’ll take a look at PMPpro today. Exercise isn’t an option really. We’ve got a large Labrador and I’m out one or two short walks or one longer walk a day with him but anything else is out of the question. Housework is a challenge but keeps me moving - extremely breathless after anything physical. I’ve tried increasing the exercise bit by bit but after 8yrs aknowledged that that didn’t work!!!

[AmyS1]

Check your dietitian is registered with the HCPC. Try reducing your portions and exercise. If your BMI is greater than 25 you should try to reduce your weight rather than gain on steroids. An experienced dietitian can help.

[Red-head44 in reply to AmyS1]

She is and has so many letters after her name. Portion size is probably a factor but it’s a balance of reducing portion size at the two main meals of the day and then picking between meals, I’d rather not eat between meals. I’m eating too much in the evening and not fasting for long enough overnight. And find counting carbs difficult as they appear on both the carb list and the protein list. Feel I’m fighting a losing battle and just wonder why I’m bothering 😢😢😢😢😢