Question:
I have been taking prednisone for ulcerative colitis for 1 & 1/2 yrs.

Due in part to this medicine, I have gained back 50 of the 100 lbs that I lost. I will finally be off the prednisone in a few weeks. I want so badly to lose the weight I gained. I feel I have no willpower. Please advise. Thanks all!    — Donna S. (posted on August 28, 2004)

August 28, 2004
Hi Donna, I don't really have an answer for you. My son has Chrohns disease and had to take prednisone also. All I can suggest to you is continue to eat right and exercise and the weight should start to come back off. When my son stopped taking it, he slowly lost the pounds. I would also discuss this with your doc. Joy
   — gerardlovesjoy

August 29, 2004
Dear Donna, Please don't get discouraged! I know it isn't easy because I had an eye problem years ago and had to take massive doses of prednisone for quite a while and it WILL make you gain weight like crazy. You said you had gained in part because of this medicine, but I suspect most of your gain can be attributed to the drug. While I was taking it I just blew up like a frog. I had no neck, no ankles, was puffy to a great degree all over my body. I looked like a totally different person, and to make matters worse I was later told by a doctor that it was learned later that the drug was really no help to the problem I had!!!! Talk about wanting to pull your hair out! What I want to tell you is that when you get off the drug things wil slowly get back to normal, but you will just have to be patient. It isn't easy but it will happen especally if you follow the rules for right eating. Believe me it has nothing to do with willpower that you gained all the weight during this time. It is the drug. Your family wants to help but there is nothing to be done till you get off the prednisone, then you will see a difference. My poor husband was completely at a loss. Hang in there, Duane Stephenson
   — dumpling

August 29, 2004
MY MOM JUST STOPPED TAKING PREDNISONE. DR. HAD HER ON IT FOR A LONG TIME. MADE HER PUFF UP LIKE A BALLOON. SHE HAS BEEN OFF OF IT FOR A WEEK NOW AND SAYS SHE CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE AND THE PUFFINESS IS GOING AWAY AND HER WEIGHT IS GOING DOWN. HANG IN THERE!
   — PSAPER

August 29, 2004
Just wanted to thank you all for the comments. You made me feel more hopeful! Thanks again, Donna
   — Donna S.