Weight loss after a course of steroids.

[audikentman]

I was on a course of steroids (and other drugs) for 4 months, I've put on 10 kilos, I didn't seem to eat any different during this time but I wasn't able to do much physically a lot of sites seem to say this maybe due to fluid retention has anyone any suggestions how to lose it?

I'm a bit limited with any kind of exercise atm.

[R8VXF]

What steroid were you actually on? Depending on the specific steroid, the water retention should disappear within a few weeks to a month or so.

[audikentman]

Thanks for the heads up, sorry I can't find the exact name, I was on cocktail of drugs at the time.

[R8VXF]

audikentman said:

Thanks for the heads up, sorry I can't find the exact name, I was on cocktail of drugs at the time.

What condition were you taking them for? PM me if you don't want details public. Might be able to work out what you were on.

[audikentman]

Hi, it was for Hodgkins Lymphoma

thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've finished the chemo, waiting for the next stage of treatment, just shocked at gaining 10 kilos in 4 months

[R8VXF]

audikentman said:

Hi, it was for Hodgkins Lymphoma

thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I've finished the chemo, waiting for the next stage of treatment, just shocked at gaining 10 kilos in 4 months

Hmm, just looking into that a bit, looks like it will probably be Prednisolone. Not sure what ester it is based on, but looks like a fairly long chain, so will probably take a good few weeks for the water retention to clear. As this is a corticosteroid rather than an anabolic steroid, muscle gain is not one of the side affects. If the doctors were worried about muscle atrophy, there is a possibility that you could have been given injections of "deca" aka Nandrolone Decanoate, which can also cause a rather large amount of water retention for a prolonged period of time.

[audikentman]

Thanks very much for the advice.

[R8VXF]

No probs. Got a fair bit of knowledge in this area and know many people who know a deck load more if you have any more questions.

[audikentman]

Thanks all is there anything I can take to speed things up or will it just flush through naturally?

[R8VXF]

audikentman said:

Thanks all is there anything I can take to speed things up or will it just flush through naturally?

I would just let it flush naturally to be honest.

[Ahimoth]

Simblade said:

There are numerous studies that show steroids increase lean muscle mass without training.

Yep. Even sitting on your arse and eating a lot of food sans steroids will put some muscle on.

OP - prednisolone effects will disappear fairly quickly. What sort of dose? Assume it was tapered off. I lived on it for about three years as a teenager.

[audikentman]

Looking at a photo I took of all the various meds I think the steroid was Dexamethasone, (4x2mg tablets in the morning for 3 days after the chemo) along with whatever went in during the chemo.

[R8VXF]

Side effects include increased appetite and weight gain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexamethasone#Advers...

Am guessing from where you said your diet didn't change yet your mobility lacked, that you have unfortunately probably actually put on a fair bit of fat. Does your face look puffy and "moonfaced"? If so, that is water retention, if not probably just standard weight gain.

[audikentman]

Thanks. Yes I was pretty much sofa bound for 4 months but tried to eat healthy but currently puffy faced. I've got radiotherapy to come next, and been told that may cause me to lose weight due to loss of appitate and sore throat.

I've got these 2 as well Acne and Insomnia, so I guess its that

I've tried to stay off Dr Google and Wiki for a while, kept scaring myself.

Edited by audikentman on Wednesday 2nd September 12:43

[R8VXF]

Yeah, it is rather easy to think you have every illness under the sun very quickly isn't it! It does sound like you have quite a bit of water retention though, so that should drop fairly soon. Cutting out salt will help, I do not want to advise too much more due to your circumstances, water manipulation can be very hard to get right in a healthy body at the best of times, and even the top body builders can mess it up quite spectacularly.

Seriously though, all the best, and I hope your treatment goes to plan.