Prednisone Moon Face is Real

Keri shared her prednisone journey with me of what a terrible reaction she had to prednisone! Moon face caused by prednisone can definitely affect our confidence. She sent me a message last week to let prednisone warriors and the people around them know that moon face is real. This article is part of a series of stories of Prednisone Warriors sharing their experience with prednisone side effects.

Prednisone Moon Face is REAL!

BY KERI

Hi, there I was just discharged from the hospital with iliosis connect pneumonia… Which is a rare pneumonia only treatable with high steroids.

Unfortunately, they had me on 1000mg!

I’ve been on prednisone consistently for the past year and a 1/2. They have weaned me down to 200 right now but I am on oxygen and only 40 years old.

Unfortunately, I am the poster girl for moon face. It is so swollen that it hurts. This was me on prednisone.

How Prednisone Affects her Confidence

I swear, I know it’s a great drug for some but not for this long term. I just want to try to get a little confidence booster but I would admit that I’ve been eating lots of carbs with the increase.

Do you think if I follow a low carb diet with lots of water and potassium?

Do you think it could make a difference by Monday? Lol! Not sound vain but I will be seeing lots of people who I haven’t seen.

Dr. Megan: That’s exactly what I would have suggested. Honestly at that high of a dose I have no idea what to predict. Anything above 60 mg is pretty hard to move the needle. It’s not vain. It’s completely understandable. You were definitely right about the “Poster Child for Moon Face.” You make a very perfect full moon! I say this in the most scientific and complimentary way possible!

I know isn’t that crazy. I even have the hunchback.

It’s crazy some people don’t even get it!

I would rather people know that it’s so fat from the prednisone. My numbers on the scale have not changed too much and my arms and legs are thinner and went to my face and neck!

I actually just started Dupixent to help try get me off the “Predator Zone.”

Moon Face Misunderstandings

By Dr. Megan

Keri’s story illustrates many important misunderstandings around weight and medications. Keri’s face shape changed, but her numbers on the scale haven’t changed much. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop others around her from judging her for her new appearance.

For Keri’s situation, she has taken a high dose for so long, that the facial changes are dramatic. Her diagnosis is so severe that without the miraculous steroid, she would likely be dead.

Prednisone Warriors want their family, friends, and associates to know that Moon Face is real. It is a direct result of taking medication that is lifesaving. It is the price we pay for surviving. The drug itself costs only pennies, but this side effect costs much more: confidence, socializing, and sometimes people’s jobs. For those with entertainment-related jobs, it can be devastating.

Several movie stars have had to go public with their health situation to explain their new Moon Face. One high-profile situation even spawned a social media challenge, with thousands sharing their Moon Face before and after pictures in support with the hashtag #moonfacechallenge.

Many expressed comfort knowing that they aren’t the only ones suffering these disfiguring changes.

Next time you notice a loved one’s appearance change, please assume the best: that they are fighting a battle so tough that they are willing to take a disfiguring medication.