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What can help the puffiness from steroid treatment?
I don't have a chin anymore. My feet will not fit in shoes. I ache all over and this heartburn is killing me. What do I need to do? I have been drinking water and eating right but there is no relief. I want a Whopper and a shake but I am eating dehydrated fruit and it is not helping. PLEASE is there a way to make all of this go down?
Having been on and off steroids for 6 years now (I have Multiple Sclerosis), here's what I can say...
The steroids will cause bloating and depending on what you eat and drink, it could make things better or worse. Believe me I've had my fair share of cravings, pain, bloating, constipation, swelling and the list goes on.
Over the years I've managed to control myself and really alter my diet when on medication. There really isn't anything to prevent bloating but there are ways to reduce it. The key here is to have strong willpower.
I have eliminated red meat from my diet (wasn't easy) but I've never felt happier about my decision. Although there's no proof this will work for everyone, here are some things to consider that I personally believe will help.
Eliminating salt and high sodium diets, sugar and artificial food additives (including ketchup, bottled sauces etc) are key as these highly promote bloating. And given that your body isn't able to digest and process very well, it creates toxic gas hence the increase in bloating and tightness in the abdominal area. Carbonated drinks should be eliminated completely and perhaps opt for plain water, tea (I usually do a green tea + ginger + lemon + honey blend), fruit water or coffee (preferably without milk as dairy and lactose can highly increase bloating and indigestion).
Fruits (not apples - but bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mandarins, oranges) and vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, kale) are good alternatives but if this normally isn't part of your diet, you'll need to add them gradually. A full on change will not help much as your body isn't used to this.
Carbohydrates are key to eliminate from your diet as these foods really just add to the bloating big time as these foods are hard for your body to digest. This was most difficult for me because I can eat pasta all day everyday and the cravings just made me eat pasta for 3. Instead replace the carbs with protein (chicken, salmon...) this will keep you full but not weigh you down. Toast can sometimes help, the little bits of carbon help with the gas and lessens the tightness and pain.
I really hope this helps. I can imagine what you're going thru but please my advice, be strong and resist the whopper. You'll feel so much better without it :)
The steroids will cause bloating and depending on what you eat and drink, it could make things better or worse. Believe me I've had my fair share of cravings, pain, bloating, constipation, swelling and the list goes on.
Over the years I've managed to control myself and really alter my diet when on medication. There really isn't anything to prevent bloating but there are ways to reduce it. The key here is to have strong willpower.
I have eliminated red meat from my diet (wasn't easy) but I've never felt happier about my decision. Although there's no proof this will work for everyone, here are some things to consider that I personally believe will help.
Eliminating salt and high sodium diets, sugar and artificial food additives (including ketchup, bottled sauces etc) are key as these highly promote bloating. And given that your body isn't able to digest and process very well, it creates toxic gas hence the increase in bloating and tightness in the abdominal area. Carbonated drinks should be eliminated completely and perhaps opt for plain water, tea (I usually do a green tea + ginger + lemon + honey blend), fruit water or coffee (preferably without milk as dairy and lactose can highly increase bloating and indigestion).
Fruits (not apples - but bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mandarins, oranges) and vegetables (spinach, cauliflower, kale) are good alternatives but if this normally isn't part of your diet, you'll need to add them gradually. A full on change will not help much as your body isn't used to this.
Carbohydrates are key to eliminate from your diet as these foods really just add to the bloating big time as these foods are hard for your body to digest. This was most difficult for me because I can eat pasta all day everyday and the cravings just made me eat pasta for 3. Instead replace the carbs with protein (chicken, salmon...) this will keep you full but not weigh you down. Toast can sometimes help, the little bits of carbon help with the gas and lessens the tightness and pain.
I really hope this helps. I can imagine what you're going thru but please my advice, be strong and resist the whopper. You'll feel so much better without it :)
Hi there,
I was only on them once. And, not for very long and for an allergic reaction. But, I did get a script for Aciphlex which totally helped that reflux, heartburn, etc. BIGTIME. Please ask for it, or something.
As for the puffy water bit, I'm not so sure of all the tricks of the trade, but all I did was try to avoid salt, and not give into all of those hungar pangs. They are horrifying and start immediately after you just ate don't they! My gosh! I drank plenty of water and kept my veggies like asparagus up. I ate a banana a day, etc. and tried to eat protein.
How long is this course for you?
-Shell
I was only on them once. And, not for very long and for an allergic reaction. But, I did get a script for Aciphlex which totally helped that reflux, heartburn, etc. BIGTIME. Please ask for it, or something.
As for the puffy water bit, I'm not so sure of all the tricks of the trade, but all I did was try to avoid salt, and not give into all of those hungar pangs. They are horrifying and start immediately after you just ate don't they! My gosh! I drank plenty of water and kept my veggies like asparagus up. I ate a banana a day, etc. and tried to eat protein.
How long is this course for you?
-Shell
If you think you are getting thrush, stay on top of it. If you can stomach plain yogurt by just adding some fresh bananas or just a little dab of jelly, that would work so much better for you than the sugar-sweetened kind.
I battled thrush for the past 3 months, way too long because I didn't know to cut certain things out of my diet that just feed the thrush. I really feel for you because it is miserable. if you think it is starting to get worse, i.e., you see the white patches on your tongue, or it isn't going away with your doing the yogurt and staying away from sweets etc, let you doctor know so they can treat it medically.
How many days of steroids did you get? Did you do a tapering dose?
-Julie
I battled thrush for the past 3 months, way too long because I didn't know to cut certain things out of my diet that just feed the thrush. I really feel for you because it is miserable. if you think it is starting to get worse, i.e., you see the white patches on your tongue, or it isn't going away with your doing the yogurt and staying away from sweets etc, let you doctor know so they can treat it medically.
How many days of steroids did you get? Did you do a tapering dose?
-Julie
THANK YOU ALL!!!!
I am feeling much better after all of the posts and the realization that I am ot the only one that has gone through the steroid problem. I was thinking that I might go to Whole Foods and stock up tomorrow for all of the good stuff. I did not get the Whopper but I did get the Taco Bell and I think that was a better choice, at least none of it was fried. My throat is sore and I do think that I am having some of the sysmptoms of thrush. I will get some yogurt for that tomorrow. Thank you again, it is still hard for me to get used to all of this. I hope all of you are having a good holiday.
I am feeling much better after all of the posts and the realization that I am ot the only one that has gone through the steroid problem. I was thinking that I might go to Whole Foods and stock up tomorrow for all of the good stuff. I did not get the Whopper but I did get the Taco Bell and I think that was a better choice, at least none of it was fried. My throat is sore and I do think that I am having some of the sysmptoms of thrush. I will get some yogurt for that tomorrow. Thank you again, it is still hard for me to get used to all of this. I hope all of you are having a good holiday.
Preescription diuretics are very helpful in ridding the body of excess fluid due to steroid treatment. I use amiloride hydrochloride. This is the same one I use every month for PMS-related bloating.
I was on IV steroids with a taper last month and am just now starting to lose the face puffiness, The MS nurse told me that it can take 1-2 months before that will get back to normal.
I had the severe heartburn too I had cravings for greasy foods, the greasier the better. But there is a price to pay - really bad heartburn. The heartburn is normal for some people after they finish the steroid treatment. Maybe your doctor can suggest a medication to help you while your body weans off the steroids. I had antacids on hand and took a prescription heartburn medication to help and am still on it for now.
As for the puffiness, only time will help with that. Don't worry, it does go away. I'm already seeing my old face coming back and the swelling I had in my feet is gone now.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
-Julie
I had the severe heartburn too I had cravings for greasy foods, the greasier the better. But there is a price to pay - really bad heartburn. The heartburn is normal for some people after they finish the steroid treatment. Maybe your doctor can suggest a medication to help you while your body weans off the steroids. I had antacids on hand and took a prescription heartburn medication to help and am still on it for now.
As for the puffiness, only time will help with that. Don't worry, it does go away. I'm already seeing my old face coming back and the swelling I had in my feet is gone now.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
-Julie
Steroids do take a long time to wear off from your body. Funny thing is what they make you crave for. Keep on drinking lots of water and before you notice your swelling will go down, but don't forget your whopper and fries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If possible, when you do your cooking, put a little of fresh parsley in your food because it is considered by alternatative medicine as an antiswelling agent.
Good luck,
Gooddays
If possible, when you do your cooking, put a little of fresh parsley in your food because it is considered by alternatative medicine as an antiswelling agent.
Good luck,
Gooddays
I haven't had 'roids either but from what I know the relief from the bloating and swelling only comes with time, nothing else. I would go ahead and have that whopper and fries, but limit it to only one LOL steroids give you a crazy appetite too.
Anyone out there that can help with a good answer?
Lulu
Anyone out there that can help with a good answer?
Lulu
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