I have the metal taste and I do not take cellcept. My appetite has increased from the prednisone. I have become used to the metal taste and it has not gone away. You could ask your doctor for a solution if the metal taste becomes something that bugs you. Have your iron levels and blood checked because metal taste could also be a blood deficiency problem like anemia. I have anemia. Good luck

I've had this issue as well although I don't take Cellcept. I take Methotrexate and Prednisone. You need to eat so I would focus on foods you can eat. For example, I don't have an issue with cheese, crackers, bread, watermelon, grapes, cherries, applesauce, and rice. When I am really struggling, I suppliment with a protein drink to keep my nutrician up. I have also recently switched over to organic meat since meat seemed to be the worst tasting to me.

It is not uncommon for chemo drugs to give a metallic taste. Many people on chemo use plastic utencils to avoid some of the metal interaction with our taste buds.

I ask my Neurologist last week and she said she felt it was from the Methotrexate and didn't have much to offer for a solution. She did recommend that I have my sinuses checked as that can change taste too. I am going to the myositis conference in September and intend to ask the board about it during the Q and A sessions.

That always seemed to be a problem for me as well and I quickly realized that sugar didn't have that metallic taste. Please don't think I'm recommending that you eat lots of sugar because that will lead to definite weight gain(my husband used to sit in awe as I would eat half a box of sugar frosted flakes, I know, it's shameful) I like the idea of using the plastic utensils to reduce the metal taste. Just for the record, my frosted flake days ended with the first flare...LOL
Blessings,
Kim

Since I am a diabetic I have no choice but to eat and since I grew up at a time when my grandmother made us take nasty tasting medications, I learned to swallow anything. I force myself to eat my tasteless food and know that I am nourishing my body. What amazes me is that with the lack of appetite and lost of taste I wonder will this keep me from gaining weight. Since starting the Prednisone I look as if I have lost most of the fat below my skin. I look at my hands and feet and they are so bony. So far the only fat on me is my stomach which I use for my insulin shots. I never had a fat stomach until about 2 years again when I started experiencing the muscle pains that no doctor could find. I am going to make sure to send them all letters with the findings of my illness, so hopefully no one else as to go two years and multiple tests to find out what they have. This illness makes me appreciate so much and hopefully will allow me to help others. I am so grateful for my life.

I always laugh at how unfair it is that the Methotrexate makes me nauseated and not like food but the Prednisone gives me an incredible appetite. Certainly not fair!

Unfortunately, Prednisone doesn't make you gain weight just because you have an appetite. It forces your body to move your fat around so you store it in your stomach (as well as other places). It also changes your metabolism so foods don't process quite right.

Please be sure to keep a close eye on your diabetes. I know the Prednisone can cause issues.

Prednisone kicked a managable case of diabetes into high gear for me. I only get bad metal taste when my sugar is too high. Otherwise taste is not a problem. Fat distribution is another issue - I now have steroid barrel-belly and some serious cheekiness going on. I am on prednisone 10mg/day and cellcept 2500/day. BTW - I have found Atkins chocolate shake with frozen raspberries and a bit of water makes a pretty good, fairly low carb shake.

I know that copper and zinc are used in the body when making or repairing cells and after an injury (or during pregnancy) taste is often affected - sometimes it helps to take a vitamin/mineral suppliment. I can't guarantee it will help, but don't think it would hurt - if in doubt, ask the doc. I wish you the best - kathy

My son brought me some fruit yesterday and as much as I wanted it I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to taste it, but I could taste every piece. It was various fruits already cut up and the first piece I ate was the mango and it was like tasting heaven. Of course I have to limit how much I eat with eat meals, but that works with me long as I can taste it. I am going to try some of those drink mixes. I was wondering if I could drink slimfast, as I like the Chocolate shake. I have endocrinology nurse that I have access to each day via email, who has been great at view my blood glucose and adjusting my insulin as need. She has been answering my questions, which as been my fear of Prednisone. I was wondering how the Prednisone would cause me to gain weight since I don't have an appetite, but now that I know that it readjusts where it places the fat I can understand. I never had a belly before and now it looks like a beer belly, but also started going there before the Prednisone. I think that it had to do with the lost of muscle tone because I couldn't even hold it in.

I start with a new primary physician next Tuesday, mainly because I am not comfort with the office I was going to. I never saw the doctor . I am going to make sure she checks my iron. My levels had been good prior to Prednisone, but now I have to look at everything as pre and post Prednisone.

I am now working on the sweating. It isn't only at night. It is anytime I decide to sleep and I soak everything I lay on and cover myself with. It is so weird. I have to change pillows and sheets at least twice at night. I am going to start layering things and just pull them off. I am going to be an expert on this shortly.

I like Slim Fast too...except the vanilla. But I did find the Atkins shakes were higher in protein and lower in carbs. They don't taste as good but I got used to them. Just keep in mind, if they are a meal replacement, it isn't a 1:1. You probably need several shakes to cover a full day....I was told at least 5-6 daily when I was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks following some dental surgery.

Not only does prednisone cause your fat to be re-distributed to strange places, it also slows your metabolism so you don't burn as many calories as you normally would. Most of us also have very limited activity when we're first diagnosed, and that, along with a slow metabolism makes gaining weight quite easy if you don't have an appetite and only to force yourself to eat for nutrition.

I had a terrible metallic tase, nausea, vomiting, and no appetite with every immunosuppressant I tried - methotrexate, imuran, and cellcept. But I still always had hunger pangs from prednisone (I agree Lexi, it's not fair). Reducing carbs, especially simple carbs in junk food, was about the only thing that worked to control my weight. Eating lots of protein (meat, cheese, eggs) and veggies works best for me, but I still can't resist a little junk foood once in awhile.
~Lucky

I think that I am going to try slim fast for lunch only tomorrow to see have it works. My neurologist just sent me an email to stop the Cellcept until I see my new primary doctor next Tuesday. Of course he didn't elevate my Prednisone back to what it was and I have been in so much pain today that all I have been able to do is sit and forgive me for saying this, but pass awful smelling gas. The gas is so bad and uncontrollable that I am afraid to go around anyone. Today is my off day and I wanted to go a few places with my daughter, but mentally and physically could not force my body to do it. It is more painful to stand than it is to walk. I tell myself over and over a body in motion stays in motion, but my body has other ideas.

I am still noticing new thinks about myself everyday. Today I noticed that the few veriicose veins on the front of my legs are now gone. My daughter and I laugh each time I find something new. She is trying her best to keep it all like and it truly helps. I am so happy that I can laugh at myself. I may become a comedian after this.

Laughing is definitely good, so keep it up!

Just wanted to let you know that the bad gas is probably due to a combination of meds and weakened intestinal muscles and possibly any recent diet changes. Things should get better as your system adjusts to the meds and your muscles get stronger. Beware, though, because Slim Fast did the same thing to me even when I was "normal".

Also, don't be too hard on yourself about just needing to stay home and rest sometimes. At this point in your myositis adventure you need to listen to what your body's telling you. Youe muscles won't atrophy during a few hours of rest, which you probably need more than exercise right now.

Best wishes for a steady scale!
~Lucky

I am trying to give in to the sitting around. It is probably best for my entire being as I never could learn how to relax and now I have no choice. The gas situation at times has been so funny. It will keep away. I was in the library right after leaving the hospital and felt it coming on and couldn't stand up and get out quick enough and the poor man behind me felt the bomb. He made such an ugly face but there wasn't anything that I could do. I had to laugh. Any other time I would have been so embarrassed. I started the slim fast for lunch. I will let you know how it goes. It was good.