Help.. predniosne weight

Hi.

I have A Severe Kidney Dieseas.. And i have been on 60 mgs of prednisone for a really really long time.... And  i gained 20-30 pounds. and it hurts me and bothers me.. and i am now on 15 mgs. and i have only lost 5-10 pounds.. and people keep on saying i well lose 10 more pounds when i am completly off of prednisone.. is this true?? I am very active.. i am active on  a high level for 2 hours 5 days a week... and i am still seeing the weight in my stomach were prednisone has taken over. my moon face is semi-gone.. but i still have some fluid it looks like...

Thanks.

Daisy

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, the major side effects seen with corticosteroids is redistribution of fat.  Cushingoid features (truncal obesity, buffalo hump, moon face, and weight gain) is quite troubling to patients. This occurs almost exclusively at doses above the physiologic range (greater than 7.5 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent). The Cushingoid appearance may occur rapidly.

- Moon face- due to accumulation of fat in cheeks.
- Buffalo hump - accumulation in back side of neck region.
- Retroorbital fat deposition can even cause potrusion of eye ball.

This is a major concern with long term therapy. With vigorous exercise and activity, there will be no weight gain but still there will be abnormal fat distribution. The peripheral fat decreases and central fat increases. The abnormal fat distribution will take a long time to wear off completely esp. the thigh and abdominal fat. I suggest you to consult your physician for more information. Take care and regards.

[bsmsl]

Yes, the extra weight will drop off when you are off the pred.  I have a friend that frequently goes on high doses of pred for long periods of time.  When she is able to reduce her dose or get off completely she loses the extra weight.  She jokes about her boxes of pred clothes and non-pred clothes.

Hang in there.  I am glad you are able to taper down now.  Keep at it.

[nikias38mith]

I have been taking predniosne for  year and my body has shut down i have developed full blow cushion syndrome. Nobody recognizes me any more. My kidney is not filtering out properly. My liver is damaged. If i don't take it ill get sick and stop breathing....The withdrawals symptom are so brutal.  My skin is full of dark spots,acne, very dry, pink purple mark  all over. the mark actually burn. Im depressed, irritable, restless. I cant walk because it is too much fluid. Im bed ridden like a vegetable. Some one Please Help Me!