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Side effects of prednisone

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Apr 27 12:37pm | Replies (14)

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@megz

I'm surprised that no sheet of side effects comes with my prescription bottles of prednisolone. Rather than from the doctor, side effects lists are usually given at the pharmacy. Like you, I've looked most of it up myself and many people wouldn't bother.

The way we individually react to prednisone is different with a lot of variables like diet and activity levels, pre-existing conditions and other medications we're already taking, so the list of possible side effects would be very long.

Weight gain is not inevitable. I eat strictly low carb/sugar, high protein and no processed food or gluten, a dietary change I'd made to lose weight shortly before PMR struck. I haven't gained a pound in (almost) two years on prednisone, and blood pressure and blood tests are all good. But without dietary changes to mitigate the metabolism changes caused by prednisone - which messes with the digestion of sugars and fats and sends strong hunger signals even when our body doesn't need food - I'd have gained weight, no doubt. I expect dietary advice isn't given because either the digestion changes prednisone causes aren't fully understood by doctors or most people aren't willing to change eating habits.

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Replies to "I'm surprised that no sheet of side effects comes with my prescription bottles of prednisolone. Rather..."

I get several sheets of paper about side effects every time I pick up my prednisone prescription. It is not very well written. It lists the major side effects plus a bunch of others that seem random. My doctor orders labs before every visit and side effects have showed up there, especially when I was on higher doses. My blood sugar was running about 100, which is on the edge of being pre-diabetic, before I got PMR and started prednisone. It's gone down 10-15 points, into solidly normal range. I gained 12 pounds on the higher pred doses but have lost 7 or 8. That's partially due to dietary changes I made to counter the slight rise in cholesterol on prednisone and big increase on Kevzara. I never was overweight. The side effects of prednisone have been mild so far compared to methotrexate and Kevzara.