Autoimmune

Is there anything I can do to reduce facial swelling due to taking steriods

[geminigirl1963]

I'm presuming you're talking about prednisone or something along that same line.

Unfortunately, moon face or facial swelling is a very common side effect of these types of corticosteroids, as well as swelling of legs, ankles, feet.  There really is nothing that will completely reduce or elminate this swelling, other than getting off of the steroids, however, sticking to a low sodium diet and drinking LOTS and LOTS of water might help a little.  As you taper down off the steroids you may notice the swelling decreasing, but it more than likely will not completely go away until you are 100% off of them - and even then it could take a while, depending on how long you've been on the steroids and at what dose.

Prednisone and meds like it are great for a number of things and they really do work quite well - but their side effects sure can be difficult and frustrating!

[jellokelli]

Some steroids actually cause redistribution of body fat: resulting in what appears to be swelling, or water retention in the face. You might try using pamprin or midol which are generally made for women to use during PMS. Steroids make your body retain water and that is probably why you are swollen. One of the uses for for midol and pamprin is to reduce swelling caused by water retention. Good luck to you.

[janey_babs]

hiya,
i have looked into this a lot on the web and on other forums,
Sadly its bad news.....the steroids redistribute fat and in particular on the trunk, face and neck.  I have been advised by others that when you get below 10mg the effects start to reduce and reverse once off the steroids.  
If you are like me, this may still upset you as when you look in the mirror you look different, prob find peole commenting on how puffy your face is etc.
I ended up going to the hairdresser to get a cut that went a little to help compliment my new face shape as my old hairstyle worked with my long face and did nothing for the moon chops......
sorry i wish i could give you some other fixes but they don't seem to exist.  Fingers crossed your health will improve enough to let you reduce and come off the steroids soon.
xx

[suebits]

  Thank you for your help I wish you had better news for me as well I think the steroids have to stay for about 2 years as I am being treated for 2 conditions that require me taking them so it doesn't look good and then a maintenance dose thereafter.  I will keep in touch and let you know just how horrific I look as time goes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxx

[janey_babs]

fingers crossed that when you get on to a maintenance does it is suitably low. I am at the specialist for my condition on thurs and am hoping that will be me down to 10mg....i will let you know if i am and if i notice any difference, i think the reason it is meant to be such low doses is that your body naturally produces the hormone at around 7.5mg and so when you get round that your adrenal glands kick in and start working again i think.
I have spent the last few months working my socks of to keep weight off and try and stop the redistibution.
I was on a low cal, low fat and relatively low carb diet.  i was on a low carb but because it has a higher fat intake i felt it was making a couple of pounds creep on.  I also exercise like daft to help......jogging, swimming and an outdoor bootcamp.  I was never fit prior to this treatment so fingers crossed it will speed up any weightloss if i can get below 10mg or fingers crossed....right off the steroids.  
If i can give you the wisdom of my experience or anything else i have found on my travels through the forums let me know,
finally, there is a book i think it is called coping with prednisolone.....it is american but you can get it on amazon.  It is very good. i would recommend it if you think you will be on the steroids for a while.  It gives a good insight into how the drugs may affect you....it is written by musician from her take on how it affected her as well as input from her sister wh is a doctor.  Good reading and it made me aware of how emotional the medication made me, etc.  can give you more details if you cant find it.
good luck!

[suebits]

Thank you so much for your help.  I will see if I can get hold of the book you suggest as according to my doctor I am likely to be on prednisolone for about 4 years which seems a bit daunting due to the side effects which already seem horrific to me, although hopefully eventually I will be taking a low dose.  Is it possible to buy the book on the internet?