I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: kitkatz on June 17, 2017, 11:50:03 PM
-
I am currently on 20 mg of Prednisone for Pylo-fibromyalgia-rhuematica.
I have had weight gain, serious weight gain from this med. Help! How do I stop this gaining?
Seems like all I had to do was take this med and I gain weight.
I can also eat like I mean it now. Hard the change when the brain has things in it saying eat, eat, eat.
Good thing my BP is up even at dialysis. Makes the center happy.
I also have red spots on my hands and arms from this med.
Doctor says six months at this dose and monthly blood work. Then maybe reduce it.
At least the all over body pain has pretty much gone away, just down to the regular aches and pains of a body on 18 years of dialysis.
-
Prednisone was such a wonder, how it put an end to the extreme pain of gout in most all my joints. I was amazed as none of the traditional pain meds did much to help other than make me even stupider than I normally am.
But what a price to pay for that relief. I had done so well, changing what and how I ate and losing a little over 100 pounds in the last two years. I was down to 202 WITH 2 liters in me for PD. This was less than me usual 220 all through High School and my years in the Army.
While on prednisone I gained. 40 pounds until I was allowed to taper down and quit taking it.
I am still trying to lose the remaining 30 pounds.
I well understand. Even knowing that it is the med driving the hunger we still eat. Even knowing which foods carry more calories we eat what we want. Hungar will cause you to break any and all dietary rules you have made for yourself.
It is very difficult to remain in control when prednisone is driving.
Even once I was down to as little as 5 MG a day I was eating wrong. Fortunately taking the anti-gout med made sufficient change in my labs Dr allowed me to stop taking the prednisone.
I hope there is another med your Dr will find which will allow you to stop taking the prednisone soon.
Try to stay strong, but hunger will make us eat most anything within reach, whether we want it or not.
-
Dear Kitkatz, I am very sorry, but Prednisone is known as the culprit which induces people to eat and eat and eat again
whilst at the same time it assists perfectly to reduce unbearable joint-pains ...
On one hand it is perfect to reduce unbearable pain, at the other hand it has it's price...
Unfortunately there is not much you can do except ask the doctor to try another immunosuppressant...
... Being on dialysis makes it impossible to eat too many veggies or too many different fruits because of the potassium
and by eating veggies or fruits Prednisone-weight-gain could possibly be kept to a minimum.
I keep my fingers crossed for you and hope your doctor prescribes another immunosuppressant for you.
Good luck wishes from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
whilst at the same time it assists perfectly to reduce unbearable joint-pains ...
Unless is induces avascular necrosis, in which case you will get hip pain.
-
I am not trying to be funny, but, seriously have you tried raw hemp for body and joint pain? My Dr. and my Pastor both recommended it and as of tomorrow, I will stop taking the Norco I have taken for about 22 years.
-
whilst at the same time it assists perfectly to reduce unbearable joint-pains ...
Unless is induces avascular necrosis, in which case you will get hip pain.
Hello Simon, do side-effects like brittle bones, avascular necrosis, heart trouble etc. not occur after long-time-taking of Prednisone?
Many thanks from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
I am not trying to be funny, but, seriously have you tried raw hemp for body and joint pain? My Dr. and my Pastor both recommended it and as of tomorrow, I will stop taking the Norco I have taken for about 22 years.
Hello Jean, please tell me what sort of raw hemp you mean and how is it applied/taken and what is known about it in the context of fibromyalgia etc.?
Many thanks from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
Hello Simon, do side-effects like brittle bones, avascular necrosis, heart trouble etc. not occur after long-time-taking of Prednisone?
Many thanks from Kristina. :grouphug;
I can only speak to avascular necrosis. In my case 3 months of prednisone resulted in AVN about a year later. Never expected to get a hip transplant, but at least now I know I will never be an unidentified body (serial number on the hip joint)
-
When I had to be on it (for the same reasons) my doc told me to avoid having bowlfuls of fruit. She said many think that a healthy bowl of fruit is better than junk food and it is but, fruit is also loaded with sugar/calories. I feel for you. I take Cymbalta for pain control. Will always have pain but without a serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, life can be unbearable for me, not to mention those around me.
-
I've been prescribed most every narc there is in attempt to control the chronic pain from damaged joints, muscles,, and nerves. They ALL make me 'fuzzy' and I usually refuse to take them until it becomes absolutely unbearable. Then I end up flat in bad sometime for days.
Fentenyal was a big help, no fuzziness, but still there was that tolerance thing. It eventually needed to be increased. I was very surprised when my Dr switched me to Methadone as I thought it only was for those in withdrawal from Heroin. Wrong, it was initially developed as a pain med. and it WORKS! At least it works for me. NO Fuzziness. No constipation. And so far, no tolerance needing an increasing dose..
I feel half Normal. Although this kidney thing still has me with No energy. If only the Dr would prescribe those old 'diet' pills.
-
Kristina, I dont know if marijuana is legal where you live or not. It is legal in the US.That is where the raw hemp comes in, it is the base so to speak of the plant and it has no thc in it. Thc is the stuff that makes you get high. I am not interested in getting high, just some pain relief. Here they have what they call dispensaries and that is where you go to get it, after you have a Drs. note, saying what you are using it for.The raw Hemp comes in liquid form, and when you feel discomfort ( or severe pain) you put 2 or 5 drops of it on your tongue.The marijuana comes in so many forms it would take many more posts to tell you all of them. It also comes in a vape appearing cigarette and has no odor, unlike the regular marijuana which has its own odor. I also have a marijuana cream I rub on my back, hip, knees, etc, also free of THC. I am not yet completely pain free, but they say it takes about 25 days to fully work. However, I no longer need to use a walker.
-
It is legal at the state but not federal level in some parts of the US
FIFTY.
EDITED:Removed red color, fixed spelling-kitkatz,Admin
-
Hello Simon, do side-effects like brittle bones, avascular necrosis, heart trouble etc. not occur after long-time-taking of Prednisone?
Many thanks from Kristina. :grouphug;
I can only speak to avascular necrosis. In my case 3 months of prednisone resulted in AVN about a year later. Never expected to get a hip transplant, but at least now I know I will never be an unidentified body (serial number on the hip joint)
Hello Simon, I admire your dry humour and your description about not ever to become an unidentified body etc. and I can well imagine that it takes lots of strengths to take such a situation as dry-humoured as you possibly can
and I take off my hat to your determination and send you my best wishes from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
Kristina, I dont know if marijuana is legal where you live or not. It is legal in the US.That is where the raw hemp comes in, it is the base so to speak of the plant and it has no thc in it. Thc is the stuff that makes you get high. I am not interested in getting high, just some pain relief. Here they have what they call dispensaries and that is where you go to get it, after you have a Drs. note, saying what you are using it for.The raw Hemp comes in liquid form, and when you feel discomfort ( or severe pain) you put 2 or 5 drops of it on your tongue.The marijuana comes in so many forms it would take many more posts to tell you all of them. It also comes in a vape appearing cigarette and has no odor, unlike the regular marijuana which has its own odor. I also have a marijuana cream I rub on my back, hip, knees, etc, also free of THC. I am not yet completely pain free, but they say it takes about 25 days to fully work. However, I no longer need to use a walker.
Thank you Jean for your kind explanation and it is good and reassuring to know about it.
Hopefully I won't need "it" for a long time to come, because, to be honest, such "heavies" sound a bit frightful
as we don't really know what "they" can "do" to our "grey cells" and how they may affect our clear thinking?
Best wishes and thanks again from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
I can testify as to the stability of brain function after long term high dose THC exposure. It is just fine.
Far different from the long term effects of high dose alcohol which does cause measurable impairment of brain function, marijuana does not.
Here comes the disclaimer.
HOWEVER.............................
This does depend on the mental stability of the individual BEFORE using any THC as those 'un-stabile' individuals may be further unstabilized as the THC can enhance any existing condition.
I can say much the same thing about LSD.
Your results may vary.
ALL drug use should be approached with caution. Even those prescribed by a Dr.
-
Many thanks, Charlie, for your comprehensive explanation.
And how are you doing kitkatz? Are you still on 20 mg Prednisone and how is it going?
What does your doctor say? Did he change your medication?
And how is your weight gain, have you found a way to avoid further weight gain?
Is your dialysis center still happy about your BP?
Take great care of yourself and kind regards from Kristina. :grouphug;
-
My blood work has shown improvement, but not down to normal levels .
Doctor says six months at 20 mg, with blood work every month.
I am still gaining some weight, but slowing it down, I hope.
The BP is still good with the prednisone.
-
When I still had teeth I found the crunchy veggies had far more satisfaction in curbing appetite than eating a sandwich, and held far less calories. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc., all WITHOUT dip.
I really should give in, have the torri(Sp) removed from my inner jaw bone so I can have a plate made. It would be nice, wonderful even, to have teeth again.
Good Luck with that drug induced appetite. It was easier to quit using dope in 81.
-
Prednisone at that high of a dose makes me nauseous. Having back problems and being allergic to dye, I have had some pretty intense steroid doses. I usually have to take a pack or two of prednisone a year for sinus infections, too. I hate the stuff and always gain weight on it (if I am not nauseous, that is). I get the classic moon face and it takes several months for it to go away. If you find anything to help with the weight gain or any tips, please share!!
-
I had cataract surgery on Monday, and I was given drops to put in my eye.. I laughed when I saw that one of them was prednisone based.. it doesn't seem to have any of the weird side effects that prednisone usually has, but it has been helping with any pain from the surgery.... what I also find funny... it was prednisone use as an antirejection med as a teenager that caused the cataracts in the first place..
-
Wife has serious diabetic eye problems, MULTIPLE eye procedures MANY MANY times over, BOTH sides. How she manages to sit still and have a NEEDLE stuck directly INTO her eye I Hope I never have to know. (Huge spine shudder).
I too noticed that one of the eye drops contains prednisone and asked her Dr about it. He told me the eye is sensitive it takes very little of the drug, there is NO effect on the rest of the body unless the patient were to be very highly allergic/reactive.
-
Wife has serious diabetic eye problems, MULTIPLE eye procedures MANY MANY times over, BOTH sides. How she manages to sit still and have a NEEDLE stuck directly INTO her eye I Hope I never have to know. (Huge spine shudder).
I thought I'd have to be awake for that procedure, and I wasn't looking forward to it.. you may not be able to see what they're doing, but you can hear everything.. and I don't think I could have sat still... I have my first cataract surgery when I was 23 years old, and I remember having to argue with them then for a general anesthetic.. but I got it... I figured I'd have to argue this time, especially since I had a bad episode with low blood pressure the week before that landed me in the ER... but the anesthesiologist came to me while I was waiting to go in and said, "do you want to go to sleep?" and before he could change his mind or take the question back, I said, "yes." He said, "Ok. I'll go get the hammer." I discovered how good he was at his job when we were in the OR.. because of my fistula, the IV and BP cuff had to both be on the right arm... the nurse was trying to give me the medication to put me to sleep through the IV, when she started to freak a bit because the IV wasn't working.. he just told her to stop the med and wait a minute.. the BP cuff had inflated.. *L* once the BP was taken, the IV started working, no problem...
-
That is awesome, Riki! I don't think I could be awake for that procedure, either. When I was having back problems the first time, I went through several spinal injections with no sedation. My second time I went to a different doctor and he sedated me. I didn't even get the option to not be sedated, but man, the procedures were much smoother than when I was awake. All that anxiety was gone and I woke up, went home and slept the rest of the day. Much, much better!!
-
For those living with chronic pain or who are just simply looking to make life a little easier on themselves, I recommend the Hurricane Spin Scrubber. It is a lifesaver for me. I use it to scrub the shower/tub. My arms often feel like they are going to fall out of their sockets and my back feels like it could snap in two. Small tasks like brushing my hair or my teeth has become something to dread. Even showering is a chore now. Housework can be a nitemare but I've learned to get clever. The Spin Scrubber is my weapon of choice for the bathroom. It is practically painless. It's a good product!
-
Is the Spin Scrubber like the Spin Mop?
Wife bought one to take to work in the school cafeteria, last year. It is still in the garage, still in the box. Sometimes I think she procrastinates more than I do!
Since losing approx 80% vision in her right eye and I cannot take her to work every day while sitting in the Dialysis chair, she has been forced to retire and stay home. She ain't to happy with me.
I've been in trouble before. I'll be in trouble again. Such is the way of life for a man.
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
-
Thanks for the tip, Primetimer! I am always looking for things to make household chores easier!!
-
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
If a man says something, but his wife is not around to hear it, is he still wrong?
-
Is the Spin Scrubber like the Spin Mop?
Wife bought one to take to work in the school cafeteria, last year. It is still in the garage, still in the box. Sometimes I think she procrastinates more than I do!
Since losing approx 80% vision in her right eye and I cannot take her to work every day while sitting in the Dialysis chair, she has been forced to retire and stay home. She ain't to happy with me.
I've been in trouble before. I'll be in trouble again. Such is the way of life for a man.
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
The Spin Scrubber is much like the Spin Mop -only better. The scrubber comes with 3 interchangeable scrubbing heads. For mopping the floors I use a Swiffer Wet Jet with cheap generic wet cloths. I take a wet cloth out and literally drop it onto the floor, I don't mess with attaching it to the mop handle. I then take the mop and place it down on the floor over the wet cloth and start mopping. Sometimes I sit on a little stool to do this. Same thing when cleaning the tub. I sit on a small stool and use the long-handled Spin Scrubber. No bending over. Same thing for dusting. Everything I use has to have a long handle so I can put a rag on the end of it, otherwise I don't use it. You should see how my kitchen is organized...I avoid drawers and having to open cabinets doors as much as possible. I use small containers to store utensils on the countertops. I keep pots & pans at elbow level or in cabinets not to high up but never below the counter (no bending over, no reaching up or down too far). In other words, I keep everything within easy reach.
-
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
If a man says something, but his wife is not around to hear it, is he still wrong?
It's a safe bet a poll of the women the results would still be "Yes".
-
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
If a man says something, but his wife is not around to hear it, is he still wrong?
absulutly :puke;, to be on safe.
-
Whatever happens, it's always our fault.
If a man says something, but his wife is not around to hear it, is he still wrong?
absulutly :puke;, to be on safe.
Guys, I'm not touching this with a 10 foot pole. If I was still on Prednisone tho, it would be another story. We'd be talking lower lips being pulled over SOME people's heads.
-
I have learned to put the seat down.
But I kinda have to wonder..............
Did home builders purposely put the bathroom sink low enough so I don't have to lift the seat?
-
I have learned to put the seat down.
But I kinda have to wonder..............
Did home builders purposely put the bathroom sink low enough so I don't have to lift the seat?
:urcrazy; :waiting;
-
In my defense..........
I don't use the bathroom sinks to wash my hands. They are too low and it seriously hurts my back to stoop over like that. I use the kitchen sink. She nags about my getting her dishes 'dirty', but I am always sure to rinse them off, sometimes I even grab the scrubby sponge thing and soap and wash them. She always runs them through the dishwasher anyway.
She makes me crazy(er).
Sp mod Cas
-
But I kinda have to wonder..............
Did home builders purposely put the bathroom sink low enough so I don't have to lift the seat?
If it were a house that I had built, no. It's for those of us who are vertically challenged to be able to reach the taps and see in the mirror
-
I am pretty tall, so my kitchen counters seem low to me. It hurts my back to lean over them so much, so when my hubby and father in law built a breakfast bar, I started using it as my prep space when cooking. No more leaning over low counters!
-
When you're taking Prednisone you'll want to stay cool indoors and out of the heat and sunlight. I kept trying to ride a bicycle in 100 degree heat and the rheumatologist had a fit. On one hand I thought I was struggling because of my condition worsening but on the other, given the circumstances I was actually doing pretty good just to be able to get on the darn bike. Doctor was not amused. Next came the mysterious bruising she warned about. Begins around the mid-section and then goes for the legs and arms. But it's only temporary. Looks bad but is only temporary. Just tell everybody to leave you the heck alone and no one gets hurt haha...otherwise, keep a list of those you'll want to apologize to after you finish the treatment.
-
Every couple of years my ears trap fluid and won't let go of it, the two treatments are a course of decreasing steroids, the protocol is to do this twice then move on to the horrible option. The steroids may make me cranky but for that week my allergy go away my knees seem 20 years younger. All in all it's like a vacation from being old. If the steroids don't work the next treatment is a ENT Doctor sticks a needle through your ear drum and sucks out the fluid, this vibrates you inner ear and the room spins around and you see colors you haven't seen since the 60's.
-
Ouch, Michael. That sounds awful!!! Another medical procedure I'd like to avoid in life.
-
The times I have had the needle procedure I had to fly for business, if the fluid is not removed as the plane goes up the pressure will rupture your ear drum.
-
Nobody would notice the moodiness, because I am usually a moody bit** anyone, so who would see it.
My hands and arms show bruising. I think I am bruising them against my desk
Luckily the only person who has to put up with me is hubby and he knows to buzz off when I am in a mood.
Dialysis center techs and nurse know to just let me be unless something is wrong.
I can amuse myself pretty well with my noise cancelling headphones on.
-
I am pretty tall, so my kitchen counters seem low to me. It hurts my back to lean over them so much, so when my hubby and father in law built a breakfast bar, I started using it as my prep space when cooking. No more leaning over low counters!
My grandmother, who I take after to a point that my mom calls us twins, is a shorty. My grandfather, when building their house, built the kitchen with lower cupboards, counters, and sink, just for her. The bathroom sink and counter were a little shorter too. Papa replaced the bathroom cupboard when I was little, 3 or 4. I remember it sitting in the kitchen for a few days before he had time to put it in, and I was playing in it
-
They don't call me Dragon Lady for nothing. And whenever I've had to take Prednisone I may as well have been spawned from Satan's butt. >:D
-
spawned from Satan's butt. >:D
:rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
-
I have a really nice artificial hip that proves Prednisione can have serious side effects.
-
I have a really nice artificial hip that proves Prednisione can have serious side effects.
I lost a little hair but not a hip. And the hair grew back. Hips don't grow back. Sorry you had to get a replacement. That would be a tough one.
-
I had a doctor who told me Prednisone over the long term could help with kidneys, but if your kidneys are borderline and you take it, it could cause ESRD. Just before mine failed, I was given prednisone. Of course, there was no way of knowing I was on the brink of ESRD.
-
I lost a little hair but not a hip. And the hair grew back. Hips don't grow back. Sorry you had to get a replacement. That would be a tough one.
I have been very pleased at how the hip works - feels like new. I just avoid high impact activity like jogging, skydiving and full contact kickboxing ::)
-
I lost a little hair but not a hip. And the hair grew back. Hips don't grow back. Sorry you had to get a replacement. That would be a tough one.
I have been very pleased at how the hip works - feels like new. I just avoid high impact activity like jogging, skydiving and full contact kickboxing ::)
Darn. That's too bad. I guess working for WWE, dancing at raves and hip-hop is out.
Don't even think of doing a remake of Saturday Night Fever.
https://youtu.be/qQQKSIrq-p4
-
40mg x 3 days 30mg x 3 days 20mg x 3 day 10mg x 3 day Regiment for a person 80 yrs. old with a GFR 19 ..... surly can not be good on kidneys. Had Angiogram two weeks pior to Mysterious bruising occurring.......
on thigh doctor is A mythed. so started said treatment (Possibly hit on church Pew?)????? Thanks
-
I had a doctor who told me Prednisone over the long term could help with kidneys, but if your kidneys are borderline and you take it, it could cause ESRD. Just before mine failed, I was given prednisone. Of course, there was no way of knowing I was on the brink of ESRD.
-
If youre on prednisone and you dont feed your hunger meaning you eat healthy normal portion meals do you still gain a lot of weight? I was on it as a kid and i was chubby dont want to get like that again now that Im an adult.
-
I think if you regulate your diet you are okay. You might still have some facial puffiness, however. That is from my experience.
-
When I was taking prednisone daily it increased my appetite which did drive me to eat more than I should have and gained weight.
It is a very difficult task to control your appetite. Some people manage perfectly well. I am not one of those people.
-
Do you need yo stay on prednisone as long as you have a transplanted kindey???
-
Most people do, but not everyone. When you first get your transplant you are on fairly high doses and then the doctor takes you down to a maintenance dose. I have heard of a couple people being taken off completely, but I do not think that is the norm.
-
My doc told me that when he was a renal fellow, his attending had a patient doing very well long term on an xplant with 5mg prednisone only. They concluded the dose was so small as to not make a difference, so they discontinued it. The kidney promptly failed.
The Xplant center I am using tells me that they use a "prednisone free" protocol, which really means prednisone for a few days only.
-
I understand prednisone is extremely important but I really hate the side effects. Im very familiar with these medications but I cant remember the one that made me lose hair I believe it was cyclosporine.
-
I was just put back on Prednisone. Don't know how long I can last. Feel barfers and omg the pain. Feels like my kneecaps are being pried off with a crowbar and my arms pulled from their sockets. Breaking out in sweats. Red blotches on my face and then turned white as a ghost tonite. Just lost 33 pounds but oh well. HAD to go to Krispy Creme. Was the first time in over 5 years. Hubby said if you are going to be bad, make it worth it. I brought home a dozen just for tomorrow. Nope, not going to last like this.
-
When gout flared up making most every joint in my body feel like it had sharp sand or glass chips in them the Dr's prescribed 10 MG 3 X Daily. Other than the MASSIVE feeding, I didn't notice any other adverse side effects. 40 pound weight gain before I tapered off and quit taking it.
I have to admit I was skeptical about using prednisone for pain, and it did take almost a week to have a noticeable effect. I was amazed that it did. I didn't think anything would help me but a large bore bullet to my brain.
-
Watch out for upper thigh/hip pain, and insist on an X-Ray and possibly MRI if you have it.
It took three visits to my primary MD to get an X-Ray at which time I heard "Oh, you have AVN ... you're gonna need a new hip ... prednisone can do this".
-
Insufficient blood flow to both hips and legs causes massive aches and pain with hardly any movement. Multiple stents placed in both illiacs immediately after the main arterial 'Y' has relieved the majority of the leg problems however the small branches that feed the hips remain majorly occluded, thus still severely limiting movement before the onset of aches and pain. X-rays do show what they are calling onset of arthritis. No movement, no pain. I stay careful.
-
I've learned to take it more at the end of the day now with dinner instead of with breakfast. I have too much to do during the day to let pain and nausea get in my way.
-
I tapered myself off. Had to. Couldn't take the side effects anymore. My hunger was out of control. Ate a lot of junk and got sick. Continued eating everything in sight anyways and surprisingly lost a few pounds. We recently moved and I've been doing a lot of unpacking and running around so maybe that explains the weight loss. But the hunger, OMG! Got the tiny red spots thing going on, too. Also breaking out in terrible sweats. Freezing one minute, water dripping from my hair the next. And itchy blisters on my hands. Antihistamines help with that. Just couldn't handle it anymore. Hats off to those who can.