Was on Prednisone 2 years ago for respiratory problems 30mg. Gai...

Hi there
I was also on Prednisone for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. It took 2 years to reduce the dose without recurrence of symptoms and now, like yourself I have painful hands and shoulders and more tired than ever before. The specialist says that it is Osteoathritis which was already an existing problem but was not painful whilst on Prednisone. Personally I think that is hooey. I had none of these symptoms before starting on Prednisone. The doctor has prescribed NS Anti-immflamatory drugs, but as they can cause blood clots I feel it's out of the frying pan and into the fire. I have started acupuncture and massage to the joints and mobilising the shoulders with lots of arm swings in all directions and its easing.
Pamela N.

Hi,
I was put on Prednisone 7 yrs ago (80mg/day for about 8 mos) after being diagnosed with a kidney disease described as nephrotic syndrome (my kidneys went into "overdrive" washing all the protein out of my body, which I personally think was caused by the Atkins diet. I shouldn't have eaten that way...I wasn't overweight, my husband was) But anyway, I ended up with every side effect Prednisone could throw at me: The Moonface, the Buffalo hump, a huge bruise-looking thing across my whole upper back, broken blood vessels, stretch marks under my arms (gah...those are ugly), severe cramps in my hands so I couldn't even cut my own food...you name it.
And I gained 60 lbs in 3 mos, and haven't been able to lose any of it even though I've been off the Prednisone for almost 6 yrs! The weight came on so quickly that my feet couldn't take it and I ended up with plantar faciaitis.
I also ended up with cataracts and have had both lenses replaced in my eyes due to that. I have arthritis now, and my memory SUCKS! My back hurts so I can barely get out of bed in the morning. All my hair fell out while on the Prednisone (the doctor said he'd never heard of that, but I've talked to plenty of people this happened to) but it has grown back now. I was so swollen, my own kids didn't recognize me!
I'm always tired. I have very loose bowel movements most of the time (didn't have this before either). I'm on Fosamax to counteract the bone loss due to osteoporosis caused by Prednisone. (Now I'm hearing Fosamax can cause some serious problems, too.) And worst of all, the Prednisone didn't cure the kidney disease! Had to go on other meds after that that didn't work either!
Like Pamela N said, I didn't have any of these symptoms before Prednisone either. Before all this, I was always thin (Size 5 at 5'6" and 120-130 lbs), healthy and active, and I could eat anything I wanted and never gain weight! Now I just feel tired and heavy and I don't eat very much. Everybody used to call me the 'smart one', but now I just feel like I'm a ditz half the time!
At the time this all started, I was only 43 (and felt like 20). Now I'm 50 and lots of days I feel like I'm 80. I don't think I have even half the strength I used to have.
I've tried all kinds of things to lose the weight. I even stuck with LA Weight Loss for 6 mos and not one pound was lost. Gyms and exercise haven't helped either. Right now I'm just starting some easy weight-training to see if that will help with the arthritis and weightloss.
I have talked to one person who had the Prednisone problems. She said she went to a very reputable homeopath in Berkeley, CA, who gave her something that, after only a couple doses, she started losing weight and feeling better. I'll probably see if I can find a reputable homeopath, too.
You would think that if they can make a drug that would put weight on you really fast, they could find one that could take it off fast, too. But NO. I think we are kind of on our own to find remedies for the side effects we've been stuck with.
Good luck to everybody.
Deborah H.

I am in the same boat as all of you. I was diagnosed back in Sept of 2004 w/ ITP (auto immune disorder) so they immediately put me on Prednisone and I had to stay on it for a little over a year. When they took me off this "wonder drug" (sarcasm) my platelets immediately dropped back down so they ended up taking my spleen out. I sometimes wish they had just taken it out to begin with and never given me prednisone. My metabolism sucks now, no matter what I do I can't lose and keep off the weight..

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Deb M.

Sounds to me like this prednisone has messed up your thyroid and you are dealing with hypothyroidism. Check out the symtoms on google!!!!!!!!

Can you PLEASE recommend what to google? I have been hypothyroid all of my life and, I was given prednisolone for a bout of gouty arthritis.

I am a mess , and, supposed to leave for a visit in 2 days---I havent been able to afford a vacation in 10 yrs. But, I dont see how I can go. I have muslce tics, I am tired, and, I've gained about 15 lbs--nothing fits. And, I dont have money nor health insurance.

okay..well get this..been on steroids since feb 2008. I have gained about 60 pounds. I had gotten pneumonia..and mrsa in both lungs deep.. was in hosp for 3 weeks. Everytime they try and get me off down to 1/2 pill..asthma flares up bad and major wheezing.I had gotten pneumonia from someone in hospital. I want off and my life back. im on 10 mg to 60...on albuterol..advair..singuliar..sbreva..now i get high blood pressure andf high sugar. And im only 47. Feel free o email me at terri@a-gentle-touch.com. I need the wait off. I feel like a roly poly.