Life. Coach: How to avoid weight gain on steroids. Q Must I put on weight because I have been prescribed steroids? Last summer I was found to have polymyalgia rheumatica and was grateful for the relief steroids brought me. I was not so pleased to be advised to take 5mg of prednisolone, daily, for life – as a precaution against blindness. Already I have gained a stone, chins are cascading and waistbands are tight. Although I’m 8. 2, I still care about how I look.
Nothing seems to stop the weight gain. Marjorie Jeffreys, Frinton. A Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition of the muscles that usually affects people over 5.
It responds dramatically to steroid medication (prednisolone), the dose of which is tapered down as fast as reasonably possible. Prednisolone below 7. PMR are higher (around 1. Untreated, the arteries in TA can become blocked, thus threatening the eyesight. TA also responds well to steroids but the starting dose is much higher (6. PMR. It’s a trade- off of safety against side effects. Even so, treatment need not be lifelong in either condition – one to two years is the usual range for a course of steroids.
Should longer courses or higher doses be needed there are other drugs available to “spare” the steroid. If unlikely, it should be possible to continue to drop the steroid dose gradually with a good chance of coming off it altogether by next year if not this one. Bear in mind, though, that your dose is already reasonably low, so if you are strict with your diet and maximise your exercise you should still be able to gain the upper hand on the weight problem. SARA STANNER WRITES: A Unfortunately, one of the recognised side effects of prednisolone is increased appetite leading to weight gain, so finding ways to curb your appetite is important. Also, make sure that you stay well hydrated. So it is possible to trick ourselves into consuming less energy, without feeling hungrier, by eating foods with a low energy density (low calorie content per gram of food).
Why do steroids cause weight gain. Weight Gain on Prednisone, what can I do now to lose this weight?These include: prednisone (sold under many brand names. Weight gain is less common than weight loss. Learn about managing weight gain. Along with weight gain, steroid use can cause. Although some people lose weight during cancer treatment. Causes of weight gain during cancer. Steroids may also cause the loss of both weight and muscle.
These include foods with a high water content (soups and stews), foods that absorb water during cooking (pasta, rice), and foods that are naturally high in water (fruit and vegetables). High- fibre and lower- fat foods also tend to have a lower energy density. High- energy density foods tend to include those that are high in fat and have a low water content (biscuits, crisps, peanuts, butter and cheese). So make sure that you aren’t eating many of these. The energy density is the number of calories divided by the weight. High energy density foods contain more than four calories/gram while low energy dense foods contain 1.
By eating a lower calorie diet that satisfies your appetite you should be able to prevent future weight gain. TONY GALLAGHER WRITES: A Hopefully exercise still can have a place in your regular routine. As you know, this steroid can lead to a redistribution of body fat to the face, back of the neck and abdomen and is an unwelcome effect of this necessary medication.
LifeCoach: How to avoid weight gain on steroids Our panel of experts answers your questions on everything from avoiding weight gain on steroids.
Your polymyalgia rheumatica, meaning “pain in many muscles” in Greek, can lead to just that – especially in the shoulders, upper arms and hips. It is also associated with thinning of the bones. As patients with PMR are frequently elderly, many have mobility problems and have challenges with many aspects of their daily living.
Many steroids cause weight gain because of the food cravings that lead those who use them to eat more than. The most popular weight loss steroid is without a doubt.
Low levels of energy can be a problem, too. Exercising little and often will make your muscles strong, helping reduce any wastage, keep appearances up, maintain balance and co- ordination and increase your energy levels. With your appropriate medication and relevant nutrition you will be optimising your management of the situation. Try small squats to strengthen your knees. Practice arising from a seated position to standing without the use of your hands or arm rests. This is useful for balance and it strengthens the legs and buttocks.
A daily walk of 1. After that time, she reported feeling more able. She tried an exercise bike for 1. Q My hay fever symptoms have worsened this week.
I’ve tried many different treatments in the past. I heard recently that acupuncture can work well, but don’t want to spend lots of money on expensive sessions. Leah, by email. DR DAN RUTHERFORD WRITES: A Some people say acupuncture helps their hay fever but others say it does not. Published analysis of the available medical literature also shows inconclusive results (take a look at www. Off- the- shelf examples are: Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), Aller- 7 (an Indian herbal combination), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Green Shiso (Perilla frutescens) and Nettle (Urtica dioica).
For more specific advice, find a medical herbalist on www. Q Having read recently your advice for reducing thighs, can you suggest exercises for reducing a pot belly? I am 7. 1, in good health, play bowls, walk a lot and do heavy gardening. Pat, by email. TONY GALLAGHER WRITES: A People who are active and otherwise not overweight can find fat accumulating on their stomachs. These few inches around the waist can increase the risk of damage in the arteries, even if body weight is within the normal range.
Another contributing factor is poor posture, which weakens the stomach muscles which, in turn, causes the stomach to distend. A consistent message, is for people to prevent accumulation of central fat from early on in their lives. Your walking, bowls and gardening are great for your heart but won’t necessarily provide a level stomach. Try to target all the major muscles like legs, abdominals, back, arms, chest and shoulders.
Your overall body strength will contribute to better posture and muscle balance. The result of this ailment is a protruding stomach. Food sensitivities can also be a contributing factor, so a visit to a nutritionist may help.