To be worried about taking this medication

[frozenfroyo]

I’ve been prescribed steroids for a week, I’ve heard steroids can cause bad weight gain and I’m just really my worried about this happening if I take them. Just for full disclosure, I’ve struggled with eating and weight problems in the past and I’ve only recently accepted that my BMI of 20 isn’t fat, I know the steroids are too important not to take even if they do cause weight gain, but I just wanted to ask if it’s likely to happen after a week so I at least know whether to expect it or not

i can’t remember the name of them but it starts with the letter P

Prednisone?

Prednisone or prednisolone.

A weeks course will not have any effect on your weight. Unless you give in to feeling more hungry - which you might - and that’s why you might put on a couple of pounds. It’s long term overuse that can lead to weight gain.

I take daily steroids long term for Addisons disease and asthma. For me they’re life saving as I would literally die without them (Addisons).

Make sure you take them first thing in the morning as you’ll struggle to sleep otherwise.

It's over a long period of time that they can affect weight. You'll be fine taking it for a week.

They won’t cause weight gain in a week.

My DH took steroids for 2 weeks, and he had no weight gain.
I think it only happens if they are taken for a very long time

A week is fine. Weight gain is associated with prolonged use.

You are unlikely to get weight gain from a short course (a weeks) worth of steroids
The concern is for those on long term high dose steroid treatment.
I suspect you've been prescribed prednisone, that's fairly common.
I have been prescribed it quite a bit over the years for a long term condition.
Short courses never cause me an issue but I did get moonface and a small amount of weight gain when I was on high dose for 1yr+ (it replaced a more toxic med whilst I was TTC & pregnant)

Don't worry, one week of pred won't affect your weight at all. I have a weeks course approximately four times a year and they work wonders. So don't hesitate to start them, the sooner you get them down you, the sooner you'll feel the benefit!

much appreciated- I feel a lot better after these replies!

it’s only 30mg a day for a week- yea that’s the one, I knew it started with a P !

does anyone know , do you need to be careful around chicken pox and other viruses? It says that in the box but unsure if that’s similar to weight gain and only a problem if you take them a long time.

I get a 5 day course from time to time for my asthma. The only thing I ever find with them is I struggle to sleep, so I take them as early in the morning as possible. As the others have said, weight gain would just be with prolonged use. Hope you feel better soon.

Your only issue may - may! - be sleeping. A week's course won't affect your weight; no need to worry.