do corticosteroids make you fat?

[cariboo]

Or have any other nasty side effects?

They are used to increase appetite so yes, I guess they could cause you to put on wieght. They have many side effects but it depends on how long for and at what dose tyey are taken.

Yes they can cause weight gain,and fluid retention.If on long term high dosesteroids you can get a "moon face".They can also cause mood swings,irritability,insomnia,thinning of the skin and stomach irritation if taken in tablet form.It all greatly depends on dosag eand time span taken for.

Having said that they are also lifesaving

Without his I am sure dp would have been much iller.

I was on them for about 3 months - didn't notice any side effects.

Well apart from feeling alive again!

My DD is dependant on them. For her they are just replacing what her body can't make so, carefully managed they don't cause weight gain or other side effects in treating conditions like hers but it depends what you are on them for.

I've had sinusitis since Xmas eve. Have been on antibiotics, nasal sprays, etc. Infection seems to have disappeared but have terrible headache, earache & discomfort in sinuses. Saw gp again today who proscribed oral corticosteroids. Not happy about this!

Short courses of steroids generally don't really cause and long lasting side effects such as weight gain because even if they make you ravenous, you won't be on them long enough to experience significant gains. And it will come off again afterwards if you do. Also as pointed out, the dosage varies hugely and the higher the dose the greater the side effects.

Long term steroids are what you have to be careful with. I have CF and am quite often on them for months at a time. With me they don't cause weight gain and that's with dosages of 40 mg or more, but I find it hard to put on weight anyway. They very often give a moonface look where your cheeks get a bit chubbier.

TBHI wouldn't worry about them at all if you are only on them for a couple of weeks. Hope they clear up those sinuses!

Short courses won't hurt. My two were often prescribed 40mg a day for 5-8 days at a time for asthma at a very young age and DD still takes short courses as required. Her height has been affected but that's because she was on very high doses of inhaled steroids for many, many years which 'crossed' her system.

Hah! See, I'm not as crazy as you all might think! I swear I can actually notice a difference in my face, neck, upper back & shoulders. Broader. I'll prob wake up in the morn with a beard & hairy chest. What would dh say to that?

Are you sure dementia wasn't on the list of side effects? Just teasing

DD gets puffy when she is on extra for illness but normally no effects. She also gets extra hungry but it goes within a few days of going back to normal dose so hopefully any effects will be short lived for you too.

Okay, here's the answer: YES! At least for me. My face is like Charlie Brown's. OMG

Oh no cariboo poor you! Have you got to be on them long?

I stopped today. I was on high dose for 2-3 days but felt so knocked out & generally ghastly that I stopped. am drinking as much water as poss to flush out the extra. F"ck the sinusitis & the doc, too! Can't stand the side effects.

btw, this is so NOT good advice!

Sounds awful cariboo. Hope you get back to feeling normal soon.

Criboo did you take the steriods in conjuction with antibiotics?

Criboo did you take the steriods in conjuction with antibiotics?

First the antibiotics and then, after about 10 days, the steroids.