In today’s Prednisone Warrior story, Joy shares her story of how she is losing weight while on prednisone. Weight gain is one of the top prednisone side effects that we experience. She also shares how to cope with the side effects of prednisone. This article is part of a series of stories of Prednisone Warriors sharing their experience with prednisone side effects.

“There’s a whole lot more they need to know!”

Those are the words of Prednisone Warrior, Joy.

She shared amazing tips about how to thrive while on prednisone, and after we finished our interview, she still felt that there’s even more that we need to know while on prednisone.

She has the distinction of losing 20 pounds while on prednisone!

In my interview with her, she drops all her best tips to not only lose weight, but also feel good while taking prednisone.

Joy even shares the recipes she uses at the end of this article!

With a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis affecting her the rest of her life, Joy had two choices:
1. Let the side effects run her over, or
2. Fight back with her choices.

Joy chose #2 and that’s what makes her a Prednisone Warrior.

She refuses to just let side effect happen to her.

Instead, she’s learned exactly what to do to fight back.

Watch her interview now…

Losing Weight While on Prednisone

by Joy

First, thank you for all the information, and all your research!

I found your videos online and have been sharing them with my sister who has RA and a Facebook support group.

I’m going to write a lot here, for my own reasons, so skip down if you don’t need the medical and diet change info!

I’m a 64 yr old woman dx’d in mid-June with myasthenia gravis. The neurologist in the hospital started me on 10 mg prednisone, which the clinician increased to 20 then 30 mg where my eyesight has normalized (no more droopy eyelids or double vision). I still have minor issues with body muscle fatigue and cramping hands, particularly if I get overheated. Occasionally, chewing food gets weird but I can swallow and breathe fine.

The neurologist hasn’t suggested switching over to mestinon or other MG drugs. I go back in December unless new symptoms appear or get worse.

The heat really does me in. Anything over 80 degrees feels like 100. Thankfully, cooler weather is not far off!

Tips for Reducing the Prednisone Weight Gain

I have completely changed my diet to where leafy greens are primary. I’ve been overweight most of my life, and the thought of prednisone weight gain was scary. I want to live to see my grandkids grow up!

Foods Joy Avoids on Prednisone

I cut out sugar, bread/starches, and processed foods. Every morning, I head out to my backyard and cut fresh parsley, green onions, spinach, chard, beet greens, brassica growth tips, and whatever looks good to eat. When my leafy greens bolt, I buy a bag of super greens at Costco to supplement.

I lightly sauté my bowl of chopped greens and add a couple of eggs and bone broth or sometimes a little paleo pancake mix.  Lunch is a big salad or low carb wrap. Chicken or tuna, eggs, beans, a little cheese for protein. Light dinner, soup or a snack. Almonds, walnuts, dried tart cherries/apricots, dark chocolate are in my “sweet” mix, replacing candy bars, cookies or pastries.

I’m losing weight on prednisone!!! I weighed 215 in the hospital mid June, 195 at my August neuro visit. I feel really good about that.

So far, the side effects seem to be mostly positive, but I know it’s early. I’m no longer taking Wellbutrin I needed for depression but I have more energy and motivation than I’ve had in years. My arthritic joints don’t hurt. I can walk much farther than I used to without pain. I even went off-grid camping!

Her Moon Face Journey with Prednisone

Diet Gallery for Prednisone Warriors

Joy Muran shares some photos of her meals.

Oatmeal Cobble Recipe

Weight Loss Soup Recipe

The Cabbage Soup “Diet” Recipe

Ingredients:

1 large chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes
4 ribs chopped celery
1/2 head 1” cubed cabbage
2 chopped carrots
1 peeled diced sweet potato (Joy’s version)
3 cups chicken bone broth
3 cups beef “better than bouillon”
Directions:

1. Chop all vegetables into cubes.
2. In a large stock pot, sauté onions in a small amount of oil.
3. Then add the remaining vegetables and cover with broth.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
5. Season with salt, pepper, hot sauce, herbs or spices. You may also add other non-starchy vegetables, such as peppers, spinach or green beans.

Joy seasons with Bragg coconut liquid aminos, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade chili sauce We don’t follow the diet, which was a fad, just eat the soup for lunch or dinner.

Birch Benders Paleo Pancake

1. 1/4 cup mix
2. 1 egg
3. 1/4 cup milk
4. Pour over cooked greens for a large green low-carb pancake!

Her Shopping List

• Bagged power greens
• Nanna Pia’s balsamic glaze
• Omega 3 eggs
• Precooked Sliced Bacon
• Siete Almond Flour Tortillas
• Cauliflower Sandwich Thins
• Heart Healthy Nut Mix
• Dried Montmorency Cherries
• Organic Blueberries
• Dark chocolate almond bars

Read more blogs about prednisone weight gain:

• Prednisone Weight Gain
• Water Weight Gain – How Prednisone Causes It
• Consequences of Prednisone Weight Gain – Not Just the Belly!