Steroids

wmahood0511
wmahood0511 Member Posts: 3
edited 12. Nov 2009, 04:05 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum.
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year. When I first got the disease I was in sheer agony, I couldn't move from my bed. I went to the hospital, they ran a few tests then they put me on prednisolone (steroids). At first the dose was 40mg, which they told me was quite high. Then as the months went on I was told to come down off that dose, but everytime I tried to come down to 30mg or even 35mg my joints flared up again and I'd be in agony again. It is after taking the steroids for a full year that I have managed to come down to 35mg then 30mg a month later.
My main concern is that the steroids seem to have bad side effects. The main side effects that are really bothering me are what I believe to be "moonface" and the increased appetite. As a guy I'm not really into my exercising or my healthy eating but I managed to keep the weight off by trying a bit of both but ever since I've been on the steroids I seem to be eating all the time and when I eat, I eat a lot. None of my clothes fit, I'm out of breath all the time, I'm finding it harder to do other things.
Within the next couple of months I hope to be moving off the steroids onto imixiflab injections. I am wondering will my "moonface" disappear once I'm off the steroids and I wonder how long it will take?
Also I wonder will my appetite also deminish?

Many Thanks
William

Comments

  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 11. Nov 2009, 11:45
    Hi William,

    First of all Welcome to the forum. Please do not think ,that we have ignored you, because we have not, honestly.

    The you have posted, is the Chit Chat Zone where we go for a laugh as well. We also have breakfast on this site too The members are all so nice.

    trisher
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi William, but sorry you've had to come and find us.

    You might get a better response if you post on the LWA forum.

    I've been on steroids for several years and both the moonface and the increased appetite are common side effects.
    As you reduce the dose the side effects do begin to disappear, but you need to get down under 7mg daily before it starts to any extent. Also, because we are all different and have different responses to the drug, you might find you need to be on the lower dose for some time before you see any results.

    Hope this helps!

    Love
    Annie
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi William

    Welcome to the forum. You have posted on the "wrong" forum with your question but it does not really matter. The moderators may move it to the Living with Arthritis site for you, if you don't.

    I have heard that this med produces the symptoms you mention but if you come off the steroids completely the symptoms will disappear. I believe that however low the dosage is that you take, you will have a good appetite and a fairly roundish face. A friend of mine is on a very low dosage but says she could eat all the time but does not, of course! She has a round face but not overly.

    Hope to see your name more around the forum,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi William
    Nice to have a newcomer.
    I was put on steroids 15 mg for Polymyalgeria Rheumatica (PMR) about year last October. I managed to get down to 2.5 mg this Summer, Unfortunately, I have had a flare up, very painful one and I have had to go back up to 20 mg reducing to 5 mg in about 4 months. Here comes the moonface again.
    PMR is something that affects the linings to the muscles, not joints. So on top of RA and PsA and spondylitis, it doesn't feel like a holiday.
    Exercise is the only answer and my GP said that there is no reason to put on weight with steroids.
    I've just come from seeing my dietition and need to lose a lot of weight. Not easy at all especially the older you get.
    See you on the other channel William. All the best for now
    joy
  • c4thyg
    c4thyg Member Posts: 542
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi William and welcome to the forum.

    I was on steroids for 6 months earlier this year. I was on 60mg a day (not for arthritis) for 2 months then tapered to nothing. I also got the moon face and a lot more unpleasant side effects. The moon face is caused by water retention and I found that it took about a month after I stopped the pred that mine had gone. Like you I tried to not gain weight but still put on 2 stone. My GP simply said without the effort I would have gained 4 stone! So it is worth trying. I've now (4 months later) lost all the pred weight and am back into my regular clothes. Thank goodness I kept my maternity clothes is all I can say!! :P
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I've moved this thread to the living with arthritis forum as this seems the most appropriate place!!

    Take care everyone

    Moderator
    YEH
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello William,
    Welcome, you will find lots of information on this site. Its a good place to learn tips and tricks!! :D

    I have OA so my treatment will be different to yours, but we still have things in common, pain for one - and info about little things to help. Well I won't go on! :lol: Love Sue

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