Prednisolone questions

ramummy

Hello,

I've recently been diagnosed as having sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis and I've been on 15mg of prednisolone a day since October as well as having one booster injection.

My husband and sister have commented that my face is starting to look puffy and I understand weight gain can be a side effect of being on steroids - this isn't great as I had a baby in September so I have more than a few pounds to shift already! :roll:

Can anyone tell me how much weight I might put on and how easy it'll be to shift it? My appetite seems to have gone through the roof! I started MTX at the end of Jan so my steroid dose will be reduced to 7.5mg a day over the next few weeks - hopefully!! - so will that make a difference?

I'm pretty scared about coming off the pred - I really was like a new woman once I started taking it and with a 5 month baby to take care of I need to be as active as possible - if the MTX doesn't kick in like my rheumy wants it to can I have more steroids or have I been on this doseage for too long already?

Sorry - loads of questions but as you can probably tell - I don't have a clue! :oops:

colinone

Hi Ram I am on the prednisolone 20mg a day but hoping to reduce soon. Its called a moon face and lots of people get it with this drug. Many dont mind as it does make life more barable. I never got the moon face but over a period of 2 years i have put on a little weight but not much. I put that down to an increased appatite i dont think it was more than a perhaps about 12 pounds but my tummy is bigger lol. methotrexate works with most people so ill keep my fingers crossed for you it can take up to 12 weeks to work. I dont think the Rheumy's are to keen to have you on pred for to long. but i do know people who have been on it for years and some say they will not come off round face or not because it makes them feel so much better. You can talk to your Rheumy re long term effects or your GP. You will find others soon that can perhaps be more helpful
But with the baby to think of its not an easy choice. Take care and try not to worry.
Colin

julies

Hi ramummy
My 16 year old son has been on 10mg daily for the past year and he's still very slim (5'11" and about 9stone 4lbs).
My mum and I both noticed a month or so ago that he was looking a bit fuller in the face, but even thats back to normal now
Sorry that was a bit long winded :oops: What I'm really trying to say is not everyone puts on weight, but have some healthy snacks handy as it can increase your appetite
Julie

ramummy

Thanks for your replies - well at the moment I need the prednisolone to be able to get out of bed in the morning so I guess I'm just going to have to keep out of the biscuit tin!

I'm sure all this will become clear given time - there just seems so much to learn!

xx

cthornley

ramummy wrote:

Hello,

I've recently been diagnosed as having sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis and I've been on 15mg of prednisolone a day since October as well as having one booster injection.

My husband and sister have commented that my face is starting to look puffy and I understand weight gain can be a side effect of being on steroids - this isn't great as I had a baby in September so I have more than a few pounds to shift already! :roll:

Can anyone tell me how much weight I might put on and how easy it'll be to shift it? My appetite seems to have gone through the roof! I started MTX at the end of Jan so my steroid dose will be reduced to 7.5mg a day over the next few weeks - hopefully!! - so will that make a difference?

I'm pretty scared about coming off the pred - I really was like a new woman once I started taking it and with a 5 month baby to take care of I need to be as active as possible - if the MTX doesn't kick in like my rheumy wants it to can I have more steroids or have I been on this doseage for too long already?

Sorry - loads of questions but as you can probably tell - I don't have a clue! :oops:

Hi ....i thought i should answer you as I know exactly where you are coming from
I'm on pred and have been since I had to come off the MTX to try for a baby Jan 07.....I now have a bouncing 8 & 1/2 mth old baby boy!
I have just restarted MTX (20mg) at the beginning of January and i'm gradually reducing the pred ( initial dose was 30mg, then generally on 20, now down to 10) but i was given a booster injection to help me change over.
I have def developed a bit of moon face....I hate it with a vengence but my dr hubby assures me i should be able to lose it when i finally get rid of the steroids. I can't tell you how much you might gain.... I think i've been lucky i've shifted most of the pregnancy weight but now only need to lose this double chin but as they say should go when i finally ditch the pred.

I found i had no choice about whether or not to accept it ...as this was the only way to cope with my RA and have a baby, especially now hes such a lump. If mtx doesn't work for you, your dr can reasses and can either change your dose (it took 5 yrs to get mine right...then i go have a baby :roll: ) or put you on steroids again. obviously you don't want to be on them for too long but as you can see i've been on them for nearly 2yrs now, but you need to do what you can to cope with the everyday...the main thing is not to stop them suddenly.

I don't know if thats any use but if you want to know anything more please just let me know

mandy_b1967

Hi I have taken prednisolone for long periods due to crohns disease and I personally put on quite a bit of weight over that time, I also got the "moon" face. When I stopped taking it the moon fae went quite quick but the weight gained has been difficult to shift. I am sure you will be okay as these days steriods are usually given for short periods not the years that I took them. I would not worry about the side affects too much as long as you are able to cope I find thats the most important thing.
Mandy

ramummy

Thanks guys - I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me.