PREDNISONE & RAPID WEIGHT GAIN

Posted on October 24, 2015

In May, 2014, I joined DietBet & made a conscious decision to lose weight & change my life for the better. I was doing really well losing weight too, & I met amazing people & developed wonderful relationships along the way. I was sooo proud of myself & my weight loss accomplishments!!! AND THEN BAM!!! THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED!!! I had a flare-up with Sarcoidosis. I knew for a while that I had a flare-up because I had been dealing with severe joint pain in my hands & feet for a long time (among other things). I figured as long as it wasn't affecting my breathing, I could deal with everything else. I tried alternative methods to deal with the pain, but when I developed a persistent cough in July & it progressed & then I started having shortness of breath, I knew my pulmonary doctor was gonna put me on Prednisone. DANG!!! I knew this moment would come. I had hoped & prayed that it wouldn't, but it did, & I had to face the music....

My doctor put me on Prednisone on 9/10/15, & I started gaining weight at a rapid pace. I couldn't even post my weekly weigh-ins in my Transformer challenge til now because I was too ashamed of all of the weight I had gained so quickly. I had been really hard on myself, but the reality of it all is: PREDNISONE IS THE CULPRIT!!! I didn't just wake up one morning & decide to just throw all of my hard work out of the window!!! HELL NAH!!! It's hard trying to lose weight!!! LOL!!! I was 35 pounds from my ultimate goal weight (145 pounds), & then I had a Sarcoidosis flare-up!!! I've gone from weighing 180 pounds to 231 pounds in a matter of 44 days!!! DANG!!! And with this weight gain comes severe lower back pain!!! WEIGHT GAIN & BACK PAIN!!! WHAT A COMBINATION!!! LOL!!! It's all good though. This is just temporary. Once I'm much better, I'm gonna get right back on track & work on GETTING MY SEXY BACK!!! YEAH BABY!!! I may be down, but I'M NOT OUT!!! :-)

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Amy

10/26/2015 1:12PM

Hello friend! thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your recent setback with your Sarcoidosis and weight gain. I love your positive attitude! Keep moving forward. You'll do great!

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Amy

I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and a daughter that is almost 7 months old

adrienne121

Congratulations once again Amy!!! I knew you had a girl!!! YAY!!! I remember when you told me you were gonna take a break to have her!!! :-)

Jen

10/26/2015 10:41AM

I am so sorry to hear about your health issues, Adrienne.It's good to hear from you. I have been worried!Don't be discouraged. I am sorry that you have to re lose the weight. That is very discouraging. But you've got this! You can do it!

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adrienne121

Girl, it IS terrible!!! I'd rather be super tired without it than to be still tired & have it still in my system. That's WORSE!!!

Jen

It definitely is!

Nicole L.

10/26/2015 10:10AM

Prednisone is a horrible drug, but works - and like you said it's temporary. Have no fear, you will get back to where you want to be - for now concentrate on all the wonderful things in your life & getting your healthy back...sexy can come later!

adrienne121

Yes girl: PREDNISONE IS THE DEVIL!!! LOL!!! It helps in one way, but negatively affects the body in others. I'm concentrating on healing; hopefully, that will happen sooner than later..... Thanks for your support Nicole!!! Much appreciated!!! :-)

Michael

10/25/2015 3:26PM

Adrienne, it is so good to ear from you. I have been wondering how you are doing. So sorry to hear of your health issues, but as expected, you see the positive side of things. Know that I am cheering for you. Next time you get a bet going, let me know, and I'll join. I miss your words of wisdom!

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adrienne121

Thanks sooo much for your kind words Michael!!! When I'm better & ready to organize a new challenge, I'll let you know. Keep on doing YOU!!! :-)

MiceandMakeup

10/25/2015 4:40AM

Adrienne: I end up on prednisone an average of once or twice a year because my immune system goes haywire. It kind of makes me eat everything in sight. I wish I could "be strong" and watch my portions but it's seriously, stomach-churningly hungry, and even if I do keep my portions small and watch my intake, I end up putting on weight. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. It's great that it works, but the weight gain is depressing. It's also tempting to exercise more to try to keep things under control (especially as pain recedes) but prednisone can also raise your blood pressure (mine hits scary levels with high doses) so be careful. It may not affect you that way. Remember that health is more important than weight. Focus on doing the best you can and listen to your body--it's the only one you get! Hugs, and I hope you're doing better and back on track soon!

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Biking Syl

10/24/2015 4:58PM

If you are in the mood for extreme measures, you could look into Dr. Fuhrman's recommendation for a lady on Prednisone: http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/healthy-food-dr-fuhrman-on-getting-off-prednisone.html Of course WITH your doctor on board. I did not read the 'diseaseproof' book the article refers to, but I read his book Eat to Live. Between May and September of this year, I did not do the full Eat to Live diet but I drank about 1-2 quarts of a smoothie over the course of a day: at least 1 pound of spinach (fresh or frozen), 1 banana, a couple cups of berries (fresh or frozen), some water for the blender. Optional: Some orange juice or dates or ginger for taste. I just wanted my health to improve overall and I came up with the recipe because he emphasized that leafy greens (like spinach) are extremely important. In the smoothie, you don't even taste the spinach and I get more spinach in that way than with a salad. I did not really expect drastic changes, but I got some blood work back in September: a couple of the really stubborn numbers had really improved. They had been stuck for years! So whatever it is, the smoothie provided some ammo for my body to fight back. Maybe it can work for you as well? I am not sure, if it can replace actual medication, but whatever helps my body to fight and be stronger is a good thing.

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adrienne121

Thanks Biking Syl!!! I really appreciate your recommendations!!! I'm gonna make my smoothie tomorrow. I'll let you know if I can get through the day doing it, & when I start experimenting, I'll let you know what new recipes I come up with. Keep doing your thang mamacita!!! You're doing amazing things!!! :-)

Biking Syl

Right back at ya! :-) Enjoy the smoothies! I keep experimenting by adding different fruits to keep it interesting. Yummy!

Chrissy

10/24/2015 4:42PM

As always Adrienne, you can see the rainbow at the end of the storm ????I'm so sorry your having such a hard time with the meds. You have nothing to be embarresed about. As we know all too well.......... Predizone can make even our least favorite food appealing. Top priority is getting your health back.......Although it's a set back, you know you have the power to lose it again. & as frustrating as it is to have to lose those same pounds over again"..............the altunnitive sucks. I'm happy to hear your getting back to your cheerful self & just wish you weren't so hard on yourself. Once your feeling better, you gonna kick it & drop it like its hot ....... Cause that's what winners do........... Get right back on the boat ;))) Love & hugs Xoxoxo I Chrissy

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adrienne121

Awww!!! Chrissy, thanks sooo much for your motivating, inspirational words of encouragement!!! That's exactly what I needed to hear right now!!! Gaining all of this weight has put me in a slump, & having severe lower back pain hasn't made it any better. I don't like going anywhere because when I walk, my back just hurts too much.... Also, I can't stand dealing with the stares I get from people who just saw me a couple of months ago much smaller & now I'm swollen like a balloon. It's depressing, but I'm dealing with it..... And if I keep gaining weight, I'm gonna have to start shopping for bigger clothes, & I refuse to do that!!! Once I start tapering my dosage, & I try that smoothie recipe that Biking Syl recommended to me, maybe I'll start losing weight again. I shall see..... Thanks sooo much for showing a sista some love Chrissy!!! I really appreciate it!!! HUGS & LOVE BACK TO YA!!! :-) Oh, I'm gonna have to check my messages. I'm happy you're feeling much better too!!! :-)

Elizabeth D.

10/24/2015 2:41PM

Hey Lady! I've missed you! I haven't posted on our transformer group in ages, since I was mostly having a conversation with myself! ;)I'm so sorry about your flair up! Gotta get it/you taken care of though! Prednisone is a b*tch, but it does the job. Once you're off it and able to really get moving again (hello line dances!), that weight will drop off in no time! Keep that chin up! :) And keep that sexy black dress close by 'cause you'll be getting into it before you know it! ;)Best wishes to being back to 110%!

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Elizabeth D.

Hey! My b-day was Dec 4th. I have no idea if I told you when it was. Even if I did, I certainly wouldn't expect you to remember it, so no worries! Is your back getting any better? I hear you about keeping up with these sites! I'm obviously not doing very well with that! I like MFP b/c it's so easy to log your meals...scanning a barcode?! Nice! Anyway, I'm happy to see you're going to start another challenge and get back to your hardworking self! Have a Happy New Year!

adrienne121

Hi mamacita!!! I've missed you!!! Happy Belated Birthday!!! I didn't know it, but I'll remember it from now on. :-) I keep telling myself I'm gonna join MFP one day, but I just have too many other things going on to sign up for another app. I'm not starting another challenge; I'm just not mentally ready to do them until I'm at 100% capacity. I'm joining that challenge. Although I'm still dealing with this persistent cough & severe back pain, I've got to get back on track. They say diet is 80% & exercise is 20%, so I'm just gonna focus on eating right & losing weight til I'm able to get my workouts on again. Gotta get my SEXY BACK!!! YEAH!!! :-)

Erica L.

10/24/2015 11:23AM

You're right, Adrienne...You may be down, but you're DEFINITELY not out because you're a WINNER and WINNERS NEVER quit!!! They just keep going through all of the adversities of life. I am SO proud of you for all of the progress which you have made and have total faith that you WILL reach your goal weight of 145 lbs!!! You go girl and get your sexy back!!!

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adrienne121

Awww!!! Erica, thanks sooo much for your kind, supportive words!!! It's definitely a struggle dealing with this, but I'm hanging in there & keeping the faith that I'll feel much better very soon. And YES MA'AM, I'M GONNA GET MY SEXY BACK!!! :-)