[penguin]

I had to take a 5 day course of Tequin (butt-kicking antibiotic) and a 7 day course of Prednisone to get rid of a nasty cellulitis infection from allergy testing (talk about your insult to injury...). I ended both a week and a half ago.

Anyway, I've gained about 5-8 lbs in a 2 week time! Freaking me out! I fluctuate a pound or three day to day, but that was a huge jump! If anything, my diet is healthier, so I don't know what the deal is.

I'm also not skinny! I'm overweight, though not *that* much. You can see by my avatar photo, that was taken only 9 mos. ago.

Could the sudden jump be from the course of prednisone? HELP!!!!

[Canadian Karen]

Oh, you bet your bippy it can!!!!

When I went on prednisone just over a year ago, I had NEVER had weight issues before going on it. In fact, the good thing about having diarrhea 20 times a day is that I used to be able to eat junk food coming out of my battoozies and I never gained an ounce. In fact, I had to eat alot of fatting junk food stuff just to maintain weight! Well, went on the prednisone (long dose of it - 6 weeks of strong dosage) and EXPLODED up to 200 lbs.! I am still trying to lose it. Since being on the prednisone, I haven't been able to lose an ounce.

I finally got serious about it last week. I have for the first time in my life gone on a "lose weight" diet. I have cut out ALL junk, and went and got low-calorie condiments, etc. etc. I also got a pedometer/calorie counter/step counter with FM radio and go for long walks every day now. In just over 1 week, I have gone from 206 lbs. to 199 lbs. It's a start, but hey, I am motivated!!!!! I promised myself I would be back to my old self by summer. My "old" self, meaning my regular weight, is 150 lbs. I have one of those builds though that even at 150, I am quite slim (I am very tall and big boned). When I lost way too much weight back in my 20's, I was 125 and looked like I was in a concentration camp, it was awful.

All I can say is that to this day, I curse prednisone every time I look in the mirror!

Hugs.
Karen

[jerseyangel]

Lord, yes! I used to take Prednisone for my "sinus" infections. Within a day, my face would balloon up--I looked like a frying pan. The injections of Decadron, which last 6 weeks are what made me gain the most weight. Over a period of about 4 years, I put on 30 lbs.

[mouse]

When ever I have to use a Medrol pac I never gain weight, but that is a 6 day thingee. But, I remember when I had regular pneumonia about 8 years ago. When I got out of the hospital they had me on plenty of prednizone and a week after I got my pardon we went on a planned trip to Australia - still on the prednizone. After several days I started to ask my husband when we could eat again, even thought we had left a restaurant just an hour before. We were in Australia for two weeks and when we left I was pinning my pants and tugging my t-shirts as far down as I could. I must have gained 15 pounds in those couple of weeks. It took me until I got home to remember the prednizone. And at that time I had a rather large weight problem and it was heck to get back to my normal big weight. It will come off, but it will take some work. Good Luck.

[flagbabyds]

when i went on it las month, i gained 5 pounds, which was fine w/ me. i finally got over 100!, then dropped like 10 when i went off it.

[lonewolf]

Prednisone is NASTY! I was on it for 9-1/2 months (several of those months at a very high dose) and I managed to gain only 26 pounds by trying to starve myself and exercise a lot. I still (over a year and a half later) haven't been able to get rid of the weight. AARRGGHH!

[aaascr]

I refuse to take it anymore.
Along with the derangement of my mental
faculties, the immediate weight gain
was way too frustrating.

[Rusla]

Prednisone is the evilest drug of all. Every time I have a serious asthma attack they try to feed me the stuff, or a serious allergy reaction. I try to fight them tooth and nail because I will gain 5 lbs a day and have a face and a butt the size and same shape as the moon. It also makes me very psychotic.

[penguin]

Yeah, I'm not doing that again! The nurse said that I didn't "metabolize the mold pollen" from the allergy testing and that's why the site got so infected (I was extremely allergic to that one). Although, I read that cellulitis is caused by a staph infection...

Anyhoo, since I've been having the digesting glass pain all this week, the prednisone weight is dropping off nicely

Although I continue to retain a ridiculous amount of water.

[awesomeame]

predisone is not the evil drug it's being made out to be. YES, it can have some side effects, but those are outweighed by the benefits the drug provides.

as for weight, i haven't been on pred in about 10 years, but now i have been on it for the last 5 months, in very high doses. (up to 120mg/day at some points) 10yrs ago i gained about 70lbs, this time around i have not gained ANYTHING, and no "moon face." yes the drug gives you the urge to eat, and that you're "not full," but you can control that too. i eat gluten & dairy free, meals high in protein, and one meal a day is seafood/fish. i don't add salt to anything, the more salt you eat the more water you'll retain. i also use an appitite suppressant available at the healthfood store called "hoodia," so i have that "full stomach"" feeling. (get the 100% hoodia extract, without caffeine) i eat about 2500 calories per day, if i say eat 3000 one day, the next day i'll eat 2000 so it averages out. i count every damn calorie i eat....one has to, or else you'll gain weight like crazy on the pred! the only exercise i get is about 20mins of weight trainng every other day-otherwise my lifestyle is basal. with a little disipline and knowledge you will not gain any weight being on prednisone.

good luck

--matt

[Nancym]

Interesting! I was wonder how the weight gain happens, whether it messes wtih your blood sugar and makes you hungry or whether it actually slows down your metabolism.

I know how many calories I can eat if I'm eating starchy/sugary food. Concentrating on protein really gets my appetite back under control again.

[jennyj]

I was on predinsone for a week and gained about 5 lbs. But when my younger brother came home from a 15 month tour in Iraq he became very sick and ended up on a ventilator. He made it through, thank God, but was put on a high dose of pred. for a year. He put on almost 90 pounds. He has since been weaned off of it but still has to loose about 30 pounds. It made him gain weight but at least he is still part of my life.

[Sawyer]

I had to go on prednisone for arthritis and I've gained over 50 pounds. I went off the drug about 2-3 weeks ago and have only lost 5 pounds so far. I think with eating gluten-free it will help lose the rest.

[NicoleAJ]

I'm on predisone for a mysterious viral infection that caused swelling of the spine. I hate it. Not only have I gained a few pounds, but it makes my tongue go numb, and sometimes my eyes don't open on their own--I need to force them instead. It also makes me feel loopy and nauseous. The doctor wanted me on higher doses but I coaxed him into weaning me off and seeing what happens. We'll see. I really hate the way it makes me feel, so I'm hoping this spine swelling goes away on its own. I'm going to the doc tomorrow, so we'll see.

[Canadian Karen]

Nicole,

Wanted to wish you good luck at the doctors tomorrow. I for one know first hand that prednisone is absolutely horrid, horrid stuff.......

Hugs and sending good luck vibes your way!
Karen