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Just call me the Michelin Man

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/24/2015 9:59 PM (GMT -5)
Well, I officially got my moon face. But not only that, my feet, ankles and legs are becoming so swollen that they feel like they might explode. I wasn't worried at first because it isn't really a disruptive symptom, but it's getting significantly worse by the day. I plan on calling the doctor tomorrow, but I also wanted to get people's input to see if there's anything that can be done about it. I hear that I need to watch my sodium intake, which will be really hard because there's already so much I can't eat and I'm constantly hungry. Not sure what else I can do. I can laugh at my Michelin Man legs, but my face is definitely making me sad. I already hated my face shape, and now it's rounder than ever with a noticeable double chin. I'm worried about just how bad this is going to get.
Posted 3/24/2015 10:17 PM (GMT -5)
Glo I am sorry it happened! I haven't been on pred to get that YET! I hope I am not working when it happens but I can say without a doubt my face fatter with even the steriod ennies!!!!

Right now it's pretty puffy!!!

Just don't add too much salt and stay away from chips if you can!
Posted 3/24/2015 11:12 PM (GMT -5)
Glo, i just started prednisone yesterday and can already feel the water in my knees!! I am a salt addict so trying to cut that down is hard for me. Im just drinking more instead to offset the salt!
Posted 3/25/2015 6:06 AM (GMT -5)
Increase your intake of potassium i.e carrot juice, and reduce the sodium as much as possible and drink plenty of water.

the water retention will go away easily once you're off prednisone so don't worry about it too much.

Consult your GI first: i think you could take a diuretic pill or intake natural/supplement diuretics but i believe they could make your body get rid of some vital nutrients, so this is a doctor's call on when you should take one.
Posted 3/25/2015 11:29 AM (GMT -5)
Drink lots of water and cut down the salt. Also chew gum to help with the hunger. Peppermint helps to ward off hunger.
Posted 3/25/2015 2:27 PM (GMT -5)
Nothing you can do about it unfortunately but the good news is the water retention will go away as soon as you're done with the prednisone. Since it also increases your appetite be careful of your calorie intake so you don't gain the extra non water weight.
Posted 3/25/2015 2:40 PM (GMT -5)
Cinnamon also helps to curb hunger.
Posted 3/25/2015 3:15 PM (GMT -5)
Prednisone hunger ... that is an unstoppable force ... a feeding frenzy. Best I can recommend is have lots of healthy, low calorie snacks to eat.
Posted 3/25/2015 4:13 PM (GMT -5)
I'm sorry to hear it, however I'd take your moon face any day over the anxiety that Prednisone gives me. I think you got the better deal. Just don't look in the mirror!
Posted 3/25/2015 9:33 PM (GMT -5)
LOL I'm with you Kiwi!! I'd take a moon face over racing thoughts and high anxiety with bursts of killer anger any day!
Posted 3/26/2015 5:50 AM (GMT -5)
When I was on pred I drank lots and lots of water and never experienced any weight gain, moon face or extreme hunger. I did get mood swings, but that's about it. I know I was lucky, but I really believe it was because of all the water I drank. I normally drink 8-10 glasses a day. When I was on pred I upped that to about 12-16 glasses. I peed a lot though lol

Is it helping your UC? That is the most important thing. Any of the other stuff will go away once you are off pred.
Posted 3/26/2015 2:09 PM (GMT -5)
It probably was the water CC. Water fills up your stomach and tricks it into thinking it's full. Most of us mistake dehydration for hunger. We think we're hungry when all we need is some water. The water also would have also helped prevent the moon face. I wish I could drink more water I just can't seem to make myself. It's hard to drink, especially when you don't feel thirsty, but they say that if you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. I just need to eliminate all beverages in my house so my only option is water lol.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:17 PM (GMT -5)
I had to do that for a while, mcfarl, but after I got used to only drinking water I can have beverages in the house for other people and I rarely ever drink them. I now prefer water. I am pretty amazed at this lol ... 4 or 5 years ago I had a Pepsi every morning (I hate coffee). I made the change to water before I ever had UC so drinking a lot of water isn't that hard for me thankfully.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:30 PM (GMT -5)
I am right there with you. I am off the stuff but i am still suffering the consequences. I need to give myself a while to get my energy and figure back. I Hope i can get back there. I wasn't in the best shape before but way better than I am now :( I don't know what advice I can give you because whatever I had didn't work for me and I know limited eating while on pred is WAY easier said than done... I think all I can say is, get your UC under control and this will pass.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:32 PM (GMT -5)

DMC2011 said...
Glo I am sorry it happened! I haven't been on pred to get that YET! I hope I am not working when it happens but I can say without a doubt my face fatter with even the steriod ennies!!!!

Right now it's pretty puffy!!!

Just don't add too much salt and stay away from chips if you can!

Thank you for the sympathy! I think it was those ennies! That double dose of steroids seemed to kick the swelling into high gear.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:36 PM (GMT -5)
Yep! They get me! People say they dont puff you up but they puff my face up for sure.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:43 PM (GMT -5)

bananagirl said...
Glo, i just started prednisone yesterday and can already feel the water in my knees!! I am a salt addict so trying to cut that down is hard for me. Im just drinking more instead to offset the salt!

Isn't that just delightful?! I don't know how I didn't know that drinking water offsets it. I'll try to have more water and hope for the best!
Posted 3/26/2015 6:57 PM (GMT -5)
I don't think moon face is caused by water retention. I think they are fat deposits. My doctor told me that pred redistributes the fat in your body from your limbs to your face and trunk. I don't think there is much you can do about it. I'm only 105 pounds right now and still have it. Yay.
Posted 3/26/2015 7:58 PM (GMT -5)

elw said...
I don't think moon face is caused by water retention. I think they are fat deposits. My doctor told me that pred redistributes the fat in your body from your limbs to your face and trunk. I don't think there is much you can do about it. I'm only 105 pounds right now and still have it. Yay.

what you're describing is Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome which i think goes away very easily after discontinuing prednisone ( READERS DON'T STOP TAKING PREDNISONE ON YOUR OWN, ONLY FOLLOW DOCTOR'S ORDERS)

read the prednisone side effects it lists these under : Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
-Sodium retention
-Fluid retention
Posted 3/27/2015 7:37 AM (GMT -5)

Dreadsteel said...
Increase your intake of potassium i.e carrot juice, and reduce the sodium as much as possible and drink plenty of water.

the water retention will go away easily once you're off prednisone so don't worry about it too much.

Consult your GI first: i think you could take a diuretic pill or intake natural/supplement diuretics but i believe they could make your body get rid of some vital nutrients, so this is a doctor's call on when you should take one.

Good to know that it goes away quickly unlike certain other symptoms. We'll see what the doctor says. He had me get more bloodwork done today.
Posted 3/27/2015 7:43 AM (GMT -5)

mcfarl73 said...
Drink lots of water and cut down the salt. Also chew gum to help with the hunger. Peppermint helps to ward off hunger.

Thanks for the tips. I have been chewing more gum lately!
Posted 3/27/2015 7:59 AM (GMT -5)
I say this over and over again. The water retention caused by pred will go away. However, your bone loss is permanent. Please make sure you take calcium and vitamin D. My moon face is all gone and I'm left with osteoporosis.
Posted 3/28/2015 3:21 PM (GMT -5)

ByeByeUC said...
Nothing you can do about it unfortunately but the good news is the water retention will go away as soon as you're done with the prednisone. Since it also increases your appetite be careful of your calorie intake so you don't gain the extra non water weight.

That is good news. Ugh, I know, I really need to watch how much I'm eating but it's sooooo hard! I think about for nonstop.
Posted 3/28/2015 3:24 PM (GMT -5)

Michelejc said...
Cinnamon also helps to curb hunger.

Oh, I didn't know that! Should it be taken as a supplement?
Posted 3/28/2015 11:16 PM (GMT -5)

iPoop said...
Prednisone hunger ... that is an unstoppable force ... a feeding frenzy. Best I can recommend is have lots of healthy, low calorie snacks to eat.

That's for sure, the hunger is intense. I'm still trying to find low-residue snacks that are healthy.
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