Question:
Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I was doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since coming home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all day, and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with decreased use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. Help! – Trish
Response:
Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone).
Any way you can talk to your doctor about the side effects and ask for a different med? LW
Response:
I can sure feel for you, Trish! I had two examples of this in the past 2 months. I could not seem to get over bronchitis and finally was given a steriod shot and I could and did eat like there would never be any more food. My appetite was like I had never experienced before. At this same time our little poodle hurt her back and was put on cortisone. I simply could not believe how hungry she was. I don’t know what one can do about this kind of problem. I did not get any more shots, but I still have about 10 pounds gain and I believe it to be a result of that shot. Ask your doctor if there is anything you can do. I wish you well on your back surgery. Doe Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I was doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since coming home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all day, and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with decreased use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. Help! – Trish
– Doe : )
Response:
All I can do is sympathize because everyone I’ve known who’s had to go on prednisone gains weight and gets the moon face to make it even worse. I’m not sure it’s even possible to keep to a weight loss program while on that drug–friends who have to go on it periodically just wipe out that month or two and start over when the meds are through. Wish I had better news–just know that you can pick up where you left off when you’re off the dose. Containing the damage is probably a really good goal to strive for during this period, doing the best you can. That’s all any of us can do. My condolences, and may the regimen be short and productive. Carol Schmidt
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I was doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since coming home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all day, and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with decreased use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. Help! – Trish
Response:
My best friend had a kidney transplant and will have to be on it the rest of her life. She used to be so hungry, but decided to just be hungry, knowing that it wasn’t her body really needing food. She drinks a lot of water which helps to keep her full. You probably will not have to be on it the rest of your life, so try to eat those foods that are low in fat and calories and know that it will not be forever, then get back on track when you can. Be easy on yourself, there isn’t much you can do, but your best. Hope you are feeling better soon. Roxan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All I can do is sympathize because everyone I’ve known who’s had to go on prednisone gains weight and gets the moon face to make it even worse. I’m not sure it’s even possible to keep to a weight loss program while on that drug–friends who have to go on it periodically just wipe out that month or two and start over when the meds are through. Wish I had better news–just know that you can pick up where you left off when you’re off the dose. Containing the damage is probably a really good goal to strive for during this period, doing the best you can. That’s all any of us can do. My condolences, and may the regimen be short and productive. Carol Schmidt Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I was doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since coming home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all day, and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with decreased use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. Help! – Trish
Response:
| I can sure feel for you, Trish! I had two examples of this in the past 2 | months. I could not seem to get over bronchitis and finally was given a steriod | shot and I could and did eat like there would never be any more food. My | appetite was like I had never experienced before. At this same time our little | poodle hurt her back and was put on cortisone. I simply could not believe how | hungry she was. Oh, "doe" … this response absolutely got my laugh meter going. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel badly about your pup going through this, but the image of both of you experiencing it at the same time was too much to resist. Somehow, your experience put things in perspective for me like nothing else. Ultimately, we’re all at the mercy of things that are beyond our control, so it’s up to us to find a way to get the control back. I was reading the other responses that have come in so far – all wonderful – and have made up my mind to prove myself stronger than my cravings. I’ll give in to them, but with more appropriate choices. What will we do about your poodle, though? – Trish
Response:
Hi Trish I ahve lupus and was on prednisone for about 4 years solid I did develop the moon face that Carol refered to and I hated that the most of all the side effects. The meds DO make you very hungry, it is not just you imagining it. I say this since I had a lot of sceptics when I was on it. However you can get the better of it. I found that the first few weeks were the worst, knida like your body is adjusting to the prednisone. In my case the hunger did level off a bit. Make sure you fill up with veggies and some fruit and water. Unsweetened herbal teas can also help take the edge off. I only put on about 6kg over the 4 years and I was starting at a below average weight. Hand in there – try and count your points but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t. Good luck with your surgery. Pril 60.8/57/52kg
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I was doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since coming home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all day, and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with decreased use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. Help! – Trish
Response:
Thanks Trish! : ) We laughed too…it proved that when the doc says things are "all in your head" that is may actually be something physical! Good news for the poodle and me…we are both off the meds!!! Now I have to get the darn fat off! Good luck, Trish! Doe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – | I can sure feel for you, Trish! I had two examples of this in the past 2 | months. I could not seem to get over bronchitis and finally was given a steriod | shot and I could and did eat like there would never be any more food. My | appetite was like I had never experienced before. At this same time our little | poodle hurt her back and was put on cortisone. I simply could not believe how | hungry she was. Oh, "doe" … this response absolutely got my laugh meter going. Don’t get me wrong, I do feel badly about your pup going through this, but the image of both of you experiencing it at the same time was too much to resist. Somehow, your experience put things in perspective for me like nothing else. Ultimately, we’re all at the mercy of things that are beyond our control, so it’s up to us to find a way to get the control back. I was reading the other responses that have come in so far – all wonderful – and have made up my mind to prove myself stronger than my cravings. I’ll give in to them, but with more appropriate choices. What will we do about your poodle, though? – Trish
– Doe : )
Response:
I don’t know what it is about having somebody to talk to, but you all do wonders for me! 
Thanks for the comments and suggestions … some are food for thought (pardon the pun), like Roxan commenting about knowing you’re not really hungry, while Carol’s suggestion to set a goal of "containing the damage" is a realistic one. Sometimes you know this stuff, yet it just doesn’t sink in until you hear it from someone else. - Trish
| … she used to be so hungry, but decided to just be hungry, knowing | that it wasn’t her body really needing food. She drinks a lot of water which | helps to keep her full. | Containing the damage is probably a really good | goal to strive for during this period, doing the best you can. | … how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite | following introduction of Prednisone
Response:
Wow, Pril! Being on the Prednisone for that long is scary … although your remark that the insatiable hunger leveled off is encouraging. I’m curious about the herbal teas … when you say unsweetened, can that include artificial sweeteners, or do they trigger some other response? My doc is also querying lupus; does that affect what you can or cannot eat? Thanks – Trish
| Hi Trish | | I ahve lupus and was on prednisone for about 4 years solid I did develop the | moon face that Carol refered to and I hated that the most of all the side | effects. The meds DO make you very hungry, it is not just you imagining it. | I say this since I had a lot of sceptics when I was on it. However you can | get the better of it. I found that the first few weeks were the worst, knida | like your body is adjusting to the prednisone. In my case the hunger did | level off a bit. Make sure you fill up with veggies and some fruit and | water. Unsweetened herbal teas can also help take the edge off. I only put | on about 6kg over the 4 years and I was starting at a below average weight. | | Hand in there – try and count your points but don’t beat yourself up if you | don’t. | | Good luck with your surgery. | | Pril | 60.8/57/52kg |
| Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite | following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I | was | doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting | points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since | coming | home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all | day, | and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the | better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and | the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this | medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are | reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first | place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every | extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with | decreased | use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. | Help! – Trish | | | |
Response:
Hi Trish I do not use artificial sweetners as a rule since I am very wary of the chemicals they contain. My first physician who treated my lupus advised me to avoid all chemical additives in my diet. He said there had been anecdotal(sp?) reports of that helping lupus. Many speciailists believe that lupus patients must avoid the nightshade family (I think that includes potatos and tomatoes) , sprouts and mushrooms. I never found them to affect my lupus in any way but as we know, all patients are different and it may affect you differently. The herbal teas I use include chamomile tea (very soothing), apple and cinnamon tea, cirtus tea. All are much less bitter than black tea and can therefore be had un sweetened. If you have to, rather use a small drop of honey. I really hope that you pull through with your illness. I know how difficult the mental strain of a chronic illness can be. Please feel free to mail me directly if you want to chat. Pril 60.8/57/52kg
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow, Pril! Being on the Prednisone for that long is scary … although your remark that the insatiable hunger leveled off is encouraging. I’m curious about the herbal teas … when you say unsweetened, can that include artificial sweeteners, or do they trigger some other response? My doc is also querying lupus; does that affect what you can or cannot eat? Thanks – Trish | Hi Trish | | I ahve lupus and was on prednisone for about 4 years solid I did develop the | moon face that Carol refered to and I hated that the most of all the side | effects. The meds DO make you very hungry, it is not just you imagining it. | I say this since I had a lot of sceptics when I was on it. However you can | get the better of it. I found that the first few weeks were the worst, knida | like your body is adjusting to the prednisone. In my case the hunger did | level off a bit. Make sure you fill up with veggies and some fruit and | water. Unsweetened herbal teas can also help take the edge off. I only put | on about 6kg over the 4 years and I was starting at a below average weight. | | Hand in there – try and count your points but don’t beat yourself up if you | don’t. | | Good luck with your surgery. | | Pril | 60.8/57/52kg | | Hi all. I’m wondering how you cope with a suddenly voracious appetite | following introduction of a new medication (in my case, Prednisone). I | was | doing reasonably well, having lost about 8 pounds in 8 weeks just counting | points, then was hospitalized a month ago and put on this med. Since | coming | home, I can’t leave anything alone … I just want to stuff my face all | day, | and the easier it is (i.e. no prep – cleaning, cutting, whatever), the | better. Usually that translates into high carb and/or high fat items, and | the gorging has resulted in a gain of 10 pounds (sob!). Apparently, this | medication plays havoc with a lot of people; hopefully, some of them are | reading this! The reason why I was attempting to lose weight in the first | place was because I’m scheduled to have some back surgery next week; every | extra pound means a more difficult recovery. I’ve struggled with | decreased | use of my legs since last June and desperately want to get back on track. | Help! – Trish | | | |
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