I gained 60 lbs with Prednisone. I can't seem to get it off. I've tried a few reputable diets including WW. Not one ounce came off. My belief is the Prednisone changes your metabolism. I've not figured out how to fix that yet. I was hoping it would be easier when I got off Prednisone but I haven't seen any results yet.

There are others that have been able to get the weight off. Hopefully they will weigh in.

Thank you Lexis. In terms of what we have all been through, weight seems a small thing to moan about but am sure we would like to see some results from the trying. If I find anything 'magic' I will let you know. Autumm

The trick to weight loss is balancing your insulin. Prednisone raises your insulin levels causing you to be hungry and store fat. If you can lower your carbohydrate intake your pancreas sends out glycogen which tells the body to pull fat from the cells. The only way I can do it is to eat protein all day (nuts, cheese,meat in small amounts every two or three hours) and then at night allow carbs in the form of vegs and fruit with a normal meal. Once in a while I have a diet root beer float with sugar free ice cream for a treat. My body is so sensitive to carbs I gain easily and with the low thyroid it is difficult. There is a book called "Sugar Busters" you might read that explains this insulin/glycogen relationship Best of luck and hope you continue to feel better.

Autumn, i had great success with Eat To Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and was able to loose 35 lbs last year. I used his more strick Super Immunity protocol and it is and still is amazing for me. I was able to only gain 10 lbs this last time i had to increase steroids due to a flare in October and have been steady since January. So I am a convert to his plan and just love it. He has a new book focused on diabetes but i have not read that one yet.

The steroids do put our body in a pseudo diabetic phase and so watching the Hemeglobin A1c and the fasting glucose is part of what i do. It is not proving out that calories are the only factor, some calories are different in the body than others. I cut out all but 2/3 cup of starch which is usually quinoa or oats a day. then all fruit and veggies. I am down to 7mg medrol like 8.5 of pred, and my A1c is way down and my fasting glucose was 71 which is at the low end of normal, so i expect to be loosing again soon. If i can see some progress it keeps me going even if not on the scale. My hump is gone and my waist is narrowing, just not down to regular yet!!!

I wish you all the best. I do like that there is no calorie counting and i can have all the greens and beans i want which keep me full and fight the osteopenia and bone density issues well too.

Feel free to ask me more about it, there are some facebook groups supporting him. Dr. Oz is now supporting his diet on his show, and there are PBS and U-tube videos. The goal is to get the most nutrition out of every bite, and forget the counting and measuring which is freeing to me.
Shawna

Thank you all for your support. Shawna, I will pursue the diet you have posted. I really am down to very few calories a day. Now on 6mgs Pred. I really must do it for the sake of my knees. This bit is not easy. Autumm

Autumn, Everyone has really good comments. I think it is important with diet to maintain normal blood sugars and sodium levels for adrenal gland support when tapering down. Be sure to look at the sugar content and not just the calories in your diet.

I always see an endocrinologist every eight weeks. My adrenal glands, pituitary, and thyroid are all functioning in sync. I was able to rule out a slow gland or a problem with the glands as a cause for my weight. I do have a fatty liver and secondary pulmonary hypertension. I do think my weight gain is from my liver and heart condition.

I wish you well in finding the source of your weight gain. Keep us posted.

Hi Trpt. Thank you for your support. I struggle onwards !!!' How is your taper going. I found this months taper easier than the last one. Suspect my adrenals have woken up and are helping out. autumm

Hey Autumn, thanks for asking about my taper. I am down to 7.5mg of prednisone. My head is having a lot of difficulties, but my muscles are doing well. I saw the doctor yesterday, and she told me my DM was well under control!

I am having mild headaches, blurry vision, bad feelings in my ears, the back of my neck & head are hot, on-going dizziness, very tired, the feeling of about to pass out, and a bad feeling that something is not right in the brain. I am going to see an ear, nose & throat doctor to check out my ears. I will be moving up my neurologist appointment too. I hope to get some answers.

I am glad to hear your taper is going well. Tapering is difficult where one day is fine and the next is full of symptoms. I hope you will be able to get off the prednisone soon. Good luck!

Hi Trpt. Hope you find some answers soon. The good news is that your disease is under control. I suspect mine is now too but the Rheumatologist has yet to use the magic words. He is very cautious but I am so grateful for all he has done. Good luck with the docs. I will be watching your post. I return to Turkey on the 14th for a week. Autumm

Hi Autumm - I gained weight when I tapered down on Prednisone and got under 10mg! I am down to 5mg and feeling OK - but am doing the medifast 5 in 1 plan to keep a higher protein level and stay on a low glycemic scale since I have high blood sugers - just about 109 on my last blood test. I gained 25 pounds in like 3 months. What a PAIN! Started the Medifast last week and am losing about 3 pounds a week. So we'll see how that goes. The weight thing is such a drag as one gets older anyway. Sheesh!

Turkey has some interesting politics going on...travel safe!

Hi Wonup. Weight is a small thing to complain about in the scheme of things going on with us all but I do hate that feeling of tight clothes and dragging around. I return to Turkey next Friday. I am sure it will be an interesting trip. Autumm