Prednisone and Weight Gain
Sun, May 16, 2010 12:00 AM
I have been on prednisone for about four months now, and while it immediately stopped my bleeding and pain (I have UC), I am now struggling with the side effects so much, I find myself forgetting how much it helped at the beginning. The insomnia, the pimples, the hair growth -- and of course the weight gain. I come from an eating disorder past, so I am really struggling with handling all of this.I am new to this site and would welcome any feedback at all...Thanks.
mbf15Joined May 16, 2010
Wed, August 04, 2010 2:32 PM
Reply posted for fruitloop614.
Woooow allergic to Asacol. Glad u r okay.
Are you on a replacement drug and how do you like it? I pop 6 Asacol a day. 
ilvsunJoined Aug 4, 2010
Wed, August 04, 2010 2:28 PM
Reply posted for jn4025.
Thank you!!!!!
I have always been 'cold' in the extremeties. But am sweating around an air conditioned house and couldnt underdstand why???
Prednisone makes me a sweaty pig!! And my best friend gave me her fat shorts this summer!! Yeah! Me!!
I am weening of prednisone - I hate it but I'm not in pain so I am thankful!
ilvsunJoined Aug 4, 2010
Thu, May 20, 2010 7:41 PM
Reply posted for mbf15.
Thank you all for your responses. It is amazing how healing it is to share how you're feeling, and then to know that there are other people out there who have felt the same ways.
It does make it a little easier hearing that it does get better, I just wish that my intellectual understanding of that could get in line with my emotional understanding. My doctor is tapering me off very slowly, and it feels as if I'll be on some dosage forever (even though I know that's not true). But in addition to all of the side effects, I am now getting withdrawal symptoms from the steroids. And wow, that sucks too.
There are times when I can let myself fester in the "woe is me" mentality, and I have to try and be appreciative that I'm not in pain anymore, and that my colitis is in remission. But being in self pity is a very easy place for me to go. And everyday with the predinose, it feels as if I'm dealing with something else.
mbf15Joined May 16, 2010
Thu, May 20, 2010 6:56 PM
Reply posted for mbf15.
I wanted to send some positive thoughts your way and also let you know I feel the same as you. Although I haven't had an eating disorder, I've been on prednisone numerous times for my UC (currently tapering now) and I've had those same side effects. It will usually get my flare into remission (which I am grateful for) but in the meantime there are the mood swings, weight gain, insomnia, excessive sweating, etc., that after awhile it really does make you feel less appreciative of the fact that prednisone is helping with the UC because you still don't feel like yourself. I know from past experience it does get better...just try to hang in there and take care of yourself.
Joined Nov 22, 2008
Mon, May 17, 2010 7:55 PM
Reply posted for mbf15.
I can completely sympathize with you as I have truly been in your shoes. I have also had a history of eating disorders and I am now diagnosed with Crohn's. I was on high doses of prednisone (IV and oral) for about 6 months and I had all of the horrible side effects (except mood swings, luckily!). I gained weight, got very "puffy," and had acne, insomnia, and terrible night sweats. Unfortunately for me, the steroids did not help and I was eventually put on remicade and Imuran. But the steroids probably saved me from surgery.
As someone who knows what it's like to suffer from body image issues, I truly know how frustrating and agonizing it is to lose control of your bodies in so many ways - both in health and in appearance. That was the hardest part for me. Because I was just so sick, the experience really was the definitive end to my eating disorder. I still suffer from occasional thoughts and have my triggers but being that ill and scared of death made me so grateful for health. I just could not do anything to actively hurt my body or my soul again.
There are no easy answers but just know that the weight does come off, your skin will come back to normal, and you will find health and balance again. It took about 4 months for me to lose the weight I had gained in 6 months but I didn't have to try too hard. I wrote a lot in my journal, surrounded myself with positive, supportive people, read a lot about mind/body connection, meditated, and re-evaluated what was really, truly important in my life. I appreciate the smallest of life's blessings now every day. I wish you all the best and be kind to your body and your soul. It's working so hard for you right now.
6mb03Joined Feb 12, 2010
Sun, May 16, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for mbf15.
I agree that prednisone is for the birds. I have been on and off prednisone for inflammation for the last 15 years, so I understand where you are coming from. I was put on it again last week after a colonoscopy biopsy showed I had a severe flare up going on and I managed to gain 6 pounds in 3 days (impressive I know!) The only drug I've found to be worse than prednisone for me was Asacol, which I'm deathly allergic to. I found that out the hard way after taking a dose for the first time it caused me to hemorrhage in my stomach and the doctors almost had to remove my stomach to stop the bleeding so I guess for me the prednisone isn't so bad after all!
fruitloop614Joined May 16, 2010
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