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Conference rocks::weight_control

Title: Weight Loss and Maintenance
Notice:**PLEASE** enter notes in mixed case (CAPS ARE SHOUTING)!
Moderator:ASICS::LESLIE
Created:Mon Jul 09 1990
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:933
Total number of notes:9931

416.0. "Drugs that interfere with weight loss" by HOTAIR::SIMON (Hugs Welcome Anytime!) Mon Mar 13 1989 17:41

    I am asthmatic and have spent sometime on Prednisone which is
    a steroid.  One of the side-effects is weight gain.  It changes
    your metabolism in such a way that it is very hard not to gain weight.
    Maybe one of you knowledgeable people could explain just how Prednisone
    makes one gain weight.  Anyway, I am not on Prednisone now and will
    see if it is easier to lose weight but I was wondering about other
    drugs.  Are there other drugs that interfere with weight loss? 
    If so, what are they?  Also, are there things a person can do (say
    alter eating habits) to help minimize the effects of the drug?
   
    - Diagnose Simon
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
416.1Don't know if this is much helpLDYBUG::GOLDMANLeft as an exercise to the readerMon Mar 13 1989 20:3326
    Hi,

    	I too am asthmatic, and have been on Prednisone before.  I
    just picked up a pretty good book on Asthma, and they talk a
    little bit about the side effects of steroids.  Yes, weight gain
    is a known side effect - steroids can increase appetite and cause
    salt and water retention.  They say that when the steroids are
    used for a prolonged period, a shift in the distribution of fat
    occurs.  Unfortunately, only reducing or discontinuing the
    medication will help this.

	I guess just being extra careful about what you do eat, and
    trying to keep drinking lots of water is about all you can do.
    Exercise probably helps, whatever you can do.  I know I've been
    able to manage some low-impact aerobics and in warmer weather do a
    lot of walking.  Swimming is supposed to be good too, if you have
    access to a pool.

    	If you want the name of the book, or want to talk further,
    feel free to send me mail.

    	Amy
416.2Prednisone and Weight GainCECV01::KELLEYTue Mar 21 1989 16:2918
    I too have had a problem with weight gain while on Prednisone. 
    The last time I had to take it I mentioned to my doctor that I
    have worked so hard to loose 40 pounds (still have a long way to
    go) that I was afraid of taking it again.  He gave me a six day
    schedule and luckily it cleared up my lungs.  I was so afraid of
    gaining weight that week that I did perfect on my Weight Watchers
    diet and lost 4 pounds.  I think being extra careful while on the
    prednisone does help.  
    
    It is a vicious cycle, the extra weight aggravates the asthma, and
    the medicine for the asthma makes it easy to gain weight.  I guess
    the best thing you can do for yourself is be patient with yourself.
    Maybe making weight maintenance your goal while you are on the
    Prednisone will help.  After all it is an accomplishment to maintain
    your weight when you are taking steroids.
    
    Good Luck!