Prednizone and Bloating

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Kimmiek

New member
My bro was on 80mg of prednizone in the hospital, we are tapering off now but he is so extremely bloated, swollen. His skin is stretched so tight he can barely move. He's drinking lots of water, and cut down on the salt...any suggestions on how to make him a little more comfortable until it goes down some? The dr. wanted to hold of on diaretics until they see him (which is thursday).

He's funny though...I told him we were going to call the national enquirer and tell them he is the first pregnant male and maybe we could make some money...LOL.
 
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kybert

New member
he needs to be on a low fat, low sugar and low salt diet. and when i say low, i mean low. not just cutting down a bit from the usual cf diet so its more average. it needs to be a proper weight loss diet unfortunately. he needs to check labels, alot of foods are higher in fat, salt and sugar than you realise. sometimes its best just to make your own food so you know whats in it. seems a bit silly and drastic doesnt it, having cf and having to go on a weight loss diet. but that is the only way the control the weight gain from prednisone. you could eat a piece of lettuce and gain weight from it lol! its good that he is drinking lots of water. that will help, and lots of exercise too. not only can that keep the weight down but it will help strengthen his muscles. prednisone can cause muscle loss. if these dont work he will just have to ride it out. i spent most of my prednisone days lying on the couch like a beached whale. i looked like one too! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
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EnergyGal

New member
Exercise is VERY important. How much water to drink? Everyone needs water but when your body is bloated all over, that is a good question for the doctor. Find out how is kidneys are. In this situation it could call for less water. Again call his nurse if his doctor is unable to talk to him.

When I was on prednisone a few years ago, I was on a low dose so that is a different case. I do remember taking a dose similar to your brother and I did decrease some of my water but mostly I watched my salt intake.
 
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JennifersHope

New member
Hi,

I consider myself the Prednisone queen .. since I live on prednisone daily.. the loweset dose I have ever been on in three years is 30 mgs.... I have gained so much weight and am so bloated that I look deformed... I look in the mirror and wonder where my face has gone.

When I am on high doses of steroids.. I just came off a 300 mgs run of pred, I am so hungry that I can barely stop eating long enough to sleep... sometimes I wake up in the night... starving.

Anyway, what I think is helpful is to just eat lower fat foods. Drinking a lot of water is ify because prednisone makes you retain water, so I am not so sure that it is the best thing to do..I would think just drink normal amounts, of couse cut out sodium as much as you can...and also sugars..

HONESTLY THOUGH, if he isn't going to be on the steroids long term, I would just let him go, as the dose tappes off, he will lose the water weight and bloatedness.....even now when I cut down to 30 mgs a day, I lose some of the bloatedness.

About the discomfort, I always beg for lassix and never get it... ( I have an electrolyte imbalance..so I can never have it... but sometimes I want to just take it anyway....What helps me is to eat smaller meals more frequently.. Tell him to try not to overeat.. when I do that.. I feel like someone needs to roll me aorund cause I can't move.....

Other then that I don't know what else would help with the discomfort.. I wish I knew...

Good Luck,

Jennifer
 
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anonymous

New member
I got infusions with cortisone 2 years ago and my weight went 8 kilos up in 6 days. When the infusions ended I was just told that it will "go away" on its own, I should just "move myself".So I went a little more shopping, and the kilos went down in 2-3 days without any diet ore anything else.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
 
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kybert

New member
ive read on alot of websites, medical and non medical, that drinking lots of water is actually the best thing for water retention. salt is what causes it and drinking water flushes salt out.
 
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