Hello, I have the same. As soon as I started taking prednisone I got a huge, hard stomach, which after 4 children I never had a problem with. I have gas constantly and can not control it at all. It comes out whenever and wherever and I am always apologizing, even to my doctors. It smells so bad, as if something has crawled inside me and died. Nothing that I take works. I am constipated due to the pain meds that I take and have to disimpact myself each time I need to have a bowel movement. It is so awful. I have lost all of my ladylike qualities with this illness. Due to the muscle weakness I am unable to know when I need to urinate or have abowel movement, I have now noticed that I get a heated feeling when I need to urinate and my bowels just feel heavy. Nice description...right.

I have the biggest belly ever and it is higher then before Prednisone. I was hoping it would melt off after I stopped taking Prednisone but it has remained. I've seen drawings of "Addrenal Weight Gain" and it looks just like me. It is the Prednisone.

Hi all. Me too. I think its the prednisone. I can lose the weight but my tummy still sure looks BIG!!!!! Autumm

Hi Mccourtjs, I do agree with everyone that Prednisone is responsible for the initial stomach size increase. I also believe that the liver takes a beating with DM/PM. The liver will have ascites which is fluid that causes the abdomen to get big. Prednisone will cause a fatty liver. Our other DMARDs are also powerful and they get filtered through the liver too. The elevated liver enzymes that occur during DM/PM flares are also stressful for the liver & kidneys.

I have a Scleroderma overlap to DM. I have ascites with the big stomach. I also have slow moving intestines (intestines are muscles) and I must eat several small meals a day or feel bloated. Food does not move quickly through my system due to sluggish intestines. I will get a bad case of constipation. I have been able to get back to some normal bowels due to eating bran flakes, cruciferous veggies like sauerkraut, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage. When I feel bad, I will juice low sugar veggie drinks. I must work to avoid the bloat.

I also have the surprise gas that Brenda mentions. I will also have surprise vomit attacks where I will throw up several times over a couple of hours. The vomit attacks are part of liver disease too.

The backed up GERD that I will get is due to esophageal stuff from closing & hardening sclerosis of the lower esophagus. I also get pains in the upper right side near the lungs. I had my gallbladder checked and it is fine for now.

Your in good company.

Hi McCourtjs. I do not research anything connected to this disease. I know knowledge is power but that knowledge needs to be in the hands of those who are qualified to understand it. If anything is odd I will mention it to my doctor when I see him. I trot along for my blood tests every two months and if the report says its fine then its fine. I don't read them or keep copies of them., When you are well and stable I think its important to try to move on. I know we are not all the same but this way works for me. I am constantly amazed at the ammount of people still working full time with our disease, I feel fortunate to be retired, best wishes. Autumm

Thanks all for your responses. I have talked to the doctor and plan to talk with him again tomorrow at my appointment. I just want to be sure that there is nothing wrong but it sounds like I am in good company with this issue. I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver but have not had liver issues. I am going back to work in a little over a week and am scared and excited at the same time. Financially I need it to work. I have tapered down to 6mg of predinose and am hoping that I will be able to get off this stuff in the next 6 months. I will see what the rheumy says tomorrow.

Hi McCourtjs. I wish you all the best for your return to work, take it slowly, rest when you can and build up the change gradually. Well done on getting to 6mgs prednisone. I took it very slowly at this point, no more than 1mg down a month. Its great to be off it and eight months on I really do feel better without it but as always fingers crossed. You have come such a long way, its great to know the Meds are working fir you now. Best wishes. Autumm

Thank you Autumn. I appreciate your support.

Hi mccourjs
Distended stomach too, on 2.5mg of prednisone and hoping to taper to 2mg as soon as I get my CK checked! Slow and steady wins the race!! i hope the big stomach can go after off the prednisone but if it doesn't at least I am this side of the dirt!!

I too and starting a return to work this coming week. Again slow and steady and hoping it goes well

Good luck to you on both accounts! It can be done and we will do it!!

take care
roxanna

Hi Roxannak . So pleased you are doing well. I also believe slow is best. Best wishes on your return to work. Autumm