Severe illness... prednisone... weight gain! HELP!

Whew, where do I start?

I caught viral meningitis at work, just over 4 months ago.  Oey, I feel like I have been through hell and back.  I've been on 4 different rounds of prednisone, its the only thing that backs off the severe headaches.  With every round of prednisone, I gained about 5 pounds   Talk about add insult to injury!  I don't even remember much of the last 4 months... its been crazy!

It has been a rough road.  I'm 1 1/2 years out and did not expect this.  Not only am I completely disgusted by this weight gain, it is very depressing.  I've learned that you never say NEVER...  It's not gone forever... blah blah blah.  

Has anyone else had to go through prednisone treatment?  Were you able to get the weight back off?  I need to get my rear into gear and tackle this.  Any suggestions?  Meal plans?  Ugh, I don't know where to start! 

On a positive note... I was approved to have my excess skin removed... and also, my name was drawn for a fantastic job opportunity (once you get in, these jobs are usually for a lifetime).

Wow what a hideous time you've had!

You will easily shed steriod related weight once you no longer have to take it but it is VERY hard while you're on it. I have watched numerous people I know balloon up but conversely with good diet and exercise once it has been weaned have lost the steroid weight.

I think the best you can do is hold tight to the fact that this is not a forever situation and despite the adversity you've been through you've still managed to come out the other side with a fantastic job opportunity, plastics approved and you're alive. Seriously you made it through!

You should be proud of yourself you know. I understand how crushing weight gain is after going through bariatric surgery but this is not forever. Hold tight and get well.

Don't sweat it and don't even try to lose the weight while you are still on prednisone. That's not a ticket for a carb fest free for all, keep to the straight and narrow with your protein and vitamins so you don't do any further damage.

One year post op, I was put on prednisone for sarcoidosis. Gained about 9-14 pounds over two months. Without doing anything different, just keeping the course, the weight fell off on its own. Slowly, like a pound or two a month, but off it came.

Then last year, I underwent external beam radiation for a tumor in my brain. Again with the prednisone and again with a 20 pound weight gain this time. Again, after I was off the steroids, the weight began dropping off on its own without any extra dieting or exercise. But, slowly. You must have patience and don't throw your hands up in defeat and drown yourself in Twinkies. Then it won't be steroid weight.

Devote your energy to getting well, don't waste it worrying about the weight gain.

Best wishes to you!

It sounds like you've had a rough time.

I just finished several weeks of Prednisone......nothing like you've experienced......but I saw some weight gain too. It's since come off and the scale has started moving again.

Hope you continue to improve.

You may already know this but in regards to meal plans just make sure you stick to very low sodium foods.

Hang in there.

Yes, Prednisone SUCKS...Majorly. In fact, it was one of the the main things that caused me to gain nearly 150 lbs. BUT, yes, it will come off. you were given good advice. Curb your eating, no matter HOW ravenous you get...Also, drink a lot of water. (You WILL bloat up though) keep exercising the BEST you can. (I know it's hard!)  Once you are OFF the Pred, ask your doctor for some water pills (if applicable) and do a lot of exercise. It can take awhile to come off (it did on me) but you can lose it.

Just be easy with yourself, OK? Obviously you need the pred right now for medical reasons, and so don;t be all worried about the weight. Get healthy first. Good luck and I hope you heal up from your menengitis.

Warmly,
Jackie

I am sorry that you went through this.  While steroids really stink, they really help.  You are actually lucky that you only gained 20 pounds in total.  I have seen people gain 100 pounds over a course of months - they can be brutal if you give in to the cravings. So, be careful and watch what you eat. Just eat 5-6 small meals - all high protein and low carb - you should do fine.  You need to stay low carb - high carb with steroids in your body will run havoc both with high sugar levels and also yeast. So, keep the carbs and sugar low.

As far as your plastic surgery goes -make sure you are off the steroids for a couple of months - being on steroids lowers your resistance and increases your risk for risk for infection.  It will make healing more difficult.  You do need to notify your surgeon that you have been on steroids though because you will need to get a stress dose of streroids (IV steroids) during or before the surgery.  Being on so many steroids, has temporarily impared your adrenal glands and going through any major surgery is a major stress on the body.  With your adrenals not functioning to full capacity, complications can happen so they give you IV steroids to make your adrenals work and all goes well.  I have this done every time I have surgery and I have no problems.

good luck