Major Weight Gain via Prednisone

Lollirot

Lollirot

New member
I was born with severe Atopic Dermatitis. Last year around July, I began to have one of my worst break-out's ever. Skipping details of it in itself, I was placed on generally long-term use of Prednisone, this being pretty much the Doctors only chance for me.

I began to use the steroids in August. At that time I was about 110lbs. By October. . .I found myself heavier then I have ever been, coming in at about 145lbs. I did not come off the steroids until about February of this year! By this time I had grown to 160lbs. A 50lbs weight gain! And, being only 5'2", it is very hard on my body.

No I have been dieting and working out - but I am not seeing any weight coming down. I think I actually went up a pound or two. I know my diet is not perfect. So that is why I am here. I am looking for a good diet for me and my problem, as well as a listing of anything else I can do to help this. . .

My basic eating is something like Fruit and Cereal [Special K] in the morning. Sometimes Yogurt in place of the fruit. With either Water, or some juice. Lunch I might nibble fruit or raw veggie like carrots or broccoli. Dinner being perhaps a Lean Cuisine - which, I know is probably NO help being so high in sodium but I do not KNOW my other choices. . .And if I get hungry later I nibble like Apples. Which I worry is wrong too.

Top it off I am on anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory meds that often leave me drained and tired. So working out isn't constant. . .

I don't know what to do to do this right at this point and know no one who can help.

What do I eat? Is there some sort of pill I should take with it for metabolism or energy? What kind of work out do I need to do? Ung!

And the weight is mostly in my stomach, then spread bits to upper arms and legs as well as my neck. It is frustrating! I can't fit in any of my clothes and am at the brink of being "obese". . .​
 
Have you talked with your doctor about the weight gain? He/She may be able to change your medications to get rid of the weight gaining side effect.

It sounds like you're off all medications now...you should be able to gradually take the weight off. Based on the information you've given us, your maintainence calories should be around 17-1800 per day. Medications and your body can effect this, so the standard "cut 500 calories per day from your diet to lose 1 pound per week" may not work for you.

Experiment with it a little. Write down everything you are eating. Enter it into a calorie counter such as FitDay. Keep exercising, but pay close attention to your diet. I would definitely talk with your doctor about it though.
 
I have no Doctor, really. . .I was in E.R. over my skin, and then sent to the Hospitals Dermatology clinic where they are over worked and often won't see patients again. I owe the Hospital like $3000 and, can't pay. And I can not get any medical help so. . .I see no one, though I should be monthly to one.

He never even had me come back when the meds wore off - though I could have reverted I found out and been worse.

That, and he NEVER mentioned any of the side effects. I had to look them all up once I started to feel some. So I had no idea there would be weight gain. . .It just was on me so fast!​
 
Are you able to call the hospital you were sent to and get medical advice over the phone?

How old are you?

How do you track your food?

Could have you possibly increased your eating while you were on these meds?

What kind of exercise are you doing?
 
Are you able to call the hospital you were sent to and get medical advice over the phone?

No. Getting thru is insane, you can not get to a person - and all it leads you to are ways to make appointments.

How old are you?

I will be 21 this August. So I am young.

How do you track your food?

I did not know I had to if I was eating "right".

Could have you possibly increased your eating while you were on these meds?

Oh I know I did. The steroid made you very hungry - everyone experiences it on Prednisone. You are never full I swear. . .

What kind of exercise are you doing?

Running 15-30 minutes. Some different crunches and sit ups. . .Small weights.
 
Since you've been off it, are you still always hungry? Do you still eat more than your body requires?

Exercising will not help you lose weight if you are not creating a calorie deficit. Do you know how many calories your body requires to maintain weight?

Spend some time reading the stickies and educating yourself about weight loss. Since this is your first attempt at it, you will need to educate yourself. Ask questions and experiment. Figure out what works for YOU.

I am very similar to you in height and age. When I was 20 years old, I went from 118 pounds to 152 in 10 WEEKS! I was able to lose that extra weight in less than three months. I'm not saying you should expect to see results that quickly, but you could!
 
"Weight gain during prednisone therapy is common. The weight gain is typically due to a combination of factors: fluid retention, increased calorie consumption, and decreased physical activity."

Now my appetite is normal to low again. I don't feel hungry often, or need to eat as much. The problem is when I get bored - which is often - then I want to nibble something!

I know nothing about calories. Until now I never worried - because the largest I ever was, was 120lbs during puberty. From the time I was 18 til I was early 20, I stayed between 110 and 115lbs. Which was my perfect size and, I was very pleased with myself.

In the past I lost weight very easy. I am worried it will not be the case this time. My mother has some DetoxaTrim pills, which have only natural stuff in them for the most part. Anything else in them my mother assures me is fine, she is an RN. It has Hoodia and just require I take 2 30 minutes prior to a meal. "Cleanses Body. Boosts Metabolism. Reduce Bloating. Curb Appetite."

Bloating being a big problem from the steroids I was on. :[
 
I'm not very familiar with diet pills, but I'm sure if you start paying attention to calories and stay in a pretty decent deficit, you will lose the weight.

Keep exercising and eating healthy, but make sure you're watching your calories. Read the stickies on this forum! There's really good information in them!
 
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