Prednisone & Weight Loss -- Is it possible?

[Pete]

I've been below 40 mg of pred since the first of the year. I've been able to taper down to 3 mg now. I've lost about 8 lbs and 1.5" off my waist since then. I walk about 3 miles most days and try to watch portion sizes. I'm also eating more fresh fruit instead of sweets/chips for snacks. It's a slow go, but I'm getting there. I'd like to lose another 5-10 pounds...

I was dxed about 4 years ago. I'm 68 years old now.

[TommyG]

I gained 30 pounds on pred and had severe moon face. I started losing weight when my taper was under 10 mg. 6 months later (at pred 5mg) I had lost all 30 pounds and the moon face pretty much went away. I exercised every day. Still do and I ate a very low carb diet. No sugar or processed food. I had to slowly increase my exercise, because I was so weak. I also had to watch out for injuries. I believe high dose pred weakened my joints. Patience surely helps with Wegeners. Best wishes.

[morningsunshine]

To TommyG: Thank you! This was just the sort of story I was looking to hear. I feel like the internet is full of stories of people posting when they are in the panic of pred side effects, but there are no "after" stories.

it's really inspiring to know that someone else lost the moonface and the lbs 6 months after starting 10mg. I'll keep plugging away with the exercise and eating well and see how far it gets me.

[Sjap0655]

Well, I am attempting to lose weight as well. I am down between 25-30lbs and still need to lose more. ITs all about diet and exercising. Prednisone is one tough cookie, but we have to be even stronger to get that stubborn weight off.

[drz]

Pretty clear progress in these pix. What is time frame for them?

[morningsunshine]

Wow, Sheila! You look great! You can definitely see the progress in your face. It's definitely inspiring to see someone who has already come so far.


I like how you said that we need to be stronger than prednisone. I'll keep reminding myself of that!

[Sjap0655]

The one of the Left was taken Dec 2013 the far right, taken October 2014.

[drz]

[QUOTE=Sjap0655;90997]The one of the Left was taken Dec 2013 the far right, taken October 2014.[/QUOTE

Impressive progress.

[Alias]

That is similar to my story. I am still at 10 mg but once I got below 20 mg the moon face mostly subsided and I was able to control the appetite and get back into regular exercise - gradually - as TommyG says. I found that a walking regimen combined with reducing calories really helped.

[brew22]

Thank you for the great success story.. It was just what I needed as I have been trying to walk everyday and wondered if I would ever be able to go more than a few blocks!! Yours Susie