Since my visit to the ER in June, when they put me back on 40 mg of prednisone, (that would be about 2 months time) I’ve put on 20 pounds. Egads…
What I couldn’t figure out is why it seemed like my tummy (abdomen) was so bloated all the time – then, it looked as though my shoulders and neck were getting puffy and swollen.
After taking the time to google some choice key words, I found out that prednisone tends to put on the weight specifically in the face, neck, shoulders and specifically the abdomen.
Well, isn’t that just lovely.
So now I look like I’m about 4 months pregnant. No, I’m not joking.. my husband is such a sweetheart (or not) and easily lies that I do not look fat, I certainly don’t look pregnant. I agrue.. I have been pregnant, full-term 5 times, I know what I look like pregnant. And, you know, it is just a fact. There it is, plain and simple.. and it simply sucks.
I have always been thin – it just runs in my family. That said, I really don’t mind putting on weight.. first, I don’t think I’ll have any issues dropping the weight later; second, it’s all medical related.. I can’t help it. As long as I’m thoughtful of what I eat, then I am doing what I can.
What I do mind is not having anything flattering to wear. So I took some spare change (that’s a joke) and bought a few tops.. it helps. Just so long as I don’t have any customers asking “When are you due?”.. oh wait.. that happened on Thursday. When are you due… ugh.. I politely told her I was not pregnant, it was medication I was taking and that maybe I am having sympathy pains for my daughter who IS pregnant.
Prednisone, my doctor told me well over a year ago, gives you a voracious appetite. While I didn’t see that side effect last year (apparently I wasn’t on it at a high enough dose, long enough?), I see it now.. or rather, feel it.. it’s like I have a bottomless pit for a stomach. There is not “off switch”, nothing to indicate I am full, or even satisfied.
Picture Credit:
This is a picture of me when I was 12 weeks pregnant with my youngest son. While I am *not* pregnant now, that’s pretty much what my belly looks like all bloated up on prednisone. Follow the linked picture to other belly pictures and birth stories.
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Judi, your post is a mirror image of what my life has been like the past few months. I can’t believe that I am going through the exact same issues that you have, word for word. This is such a terrible disease to cope with, and I haven’t been able to find a medication regimen that works yet. I am actually commenting on your post from my hospital bed at the moment, waiting for my GI doctor to show and discuss a new option with me. Good luck with your journey and I hope you have been able to find some relief since you’ve shared this post.
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