Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Ok - so I'm EXTREMELY allergic to poison ivy - and what did I come in contact with this past saturday??!!! yup - you guessed it! apparantly we have it in our back yard.

it's MAINLY all over my face (my nose looks like someone took a cheese shredder to it...) and then I've got spots about the size of half dollars all over my body (my shoulder, my stomach, my knee, up and down my leg, my back, my thumb...)

So I go to the doc and she gives me - gasp - steroids! It's Prednizone - and I know, in the past, I was on a steroid for something once (don't remember if it was prednizone or not) and I remember that I gained weight on it...of course - i was NOT on a low-carb diet back then - but still.

I'm also on metformin (don't worry the doc checked and swore there's no interactions)...but metformin is of course a blood sugar lowering medication and prednisone has been known to UP your blood sugar...

so anyways - I'm just wondering if any of you out there have had experience with a prescription steroid while on a low carb diet. there's really no other choice, unfortunately, as far as treatment goes.

I'm on rung 7 and very happy that I have so many more food choices now, but I'm almost contemplating induction for 2 weeks so I'm not worried about gaining weight...

and - of course - I was literally only cleared YESTERDAY by my ear doctor that I'm allowed to go back to the gym (haven't worked out in at least 3 months) and I'm DYING to go back - but I also don't want to go back while I HAVE this stupid poison ivy...so exercising is out of the question.

just curious if any of you have had experience...thanks!!!!

[not2late]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

For the first 6 months of my atkins, I was on a steroid for my asthma. Granted, the inhaled steroids aren't supposed to affect the rest of the body, but there is a small percentage that does manage to.

My thoughts on medications is that if you are prescribed medications for a specific illness/condition, then take them because they are necessary for one specific part of your general health.

As for the poison ivy, you can exercise. You can't spread the poison ivy around to anyone else at that gym. Poison Ivy Dermatitis

[krispysky]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

I was given prednisone for poison ivy a few years ago--I lost weight after that time so I don't think it bothered me.

And I've been on prednisone for swelling since my sinus surgery August 1. I have only taken half the dose though, because it made me very sleepy. I've been kind of mini-stalled since my surgery--so I don't know if that could be the cause or not. I'm not taking it anymore though.

[JulieB]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

No experience with Prednisone on low-carb, but I do have experience with poison ivy. I've had it the last two years so badly, (face, arms) that I went on prednisone. I didn't want to do that again this year...so I looked up alternate treatments...
I have been taking vitamin C to help my body fight it off, and applying tea tree oil on the spots. Note that I did not have a serious case this year - a few spots on my arms & legs - none on my face (again). I would have taken the prednisone if I had it on my face, or had it very badly The tea tree oil may help...just my 2 cents.

[OzLover]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

I finished a 6 day course of Prednisone on the 10th. Also had TOM during that time. I drank 144 oz of H20 daily & was diligent about my food. I was sure I gained weight as I felt bloated etc... I wasn't going to weigh in on my usual day but the not knowing was getting to me. So I got on the scale & had lost 1#~~~who would have thunked it.

You'll be fine. I'm sure getting rid of the poisin ivy is more important that the possibility of a few pounds.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

I'm also on metformin (don't worry the doc checked and swore there's no interactions)...but metformin is of course a blood sugar lowering medication and prednisone has been known to UP your blood sugar...

The two medications do not cancel each other out... The Metformin will continue to work regardless of the 'cause' of raised blood sugar whether it be from what you eat, insulin running haywire or medications...

So since your blood sugar should remain steady, you should be able to stay on track with the diet...

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Prednisone - prescription steriods and weight gain

thank you all for your comments!

and I know that I can't infect anyone else - that's not what i'm afraid of...i just don't want to sweat up a storm because that will make the itching only worse!

and i know that getting rid of it IS more important than a few gained pounds...it's just a pain - as we all know - that getting pounds off in the first place is hard work! lol.

and julie - thanks for the tips, I will keep those under consideration!