Asthma meds, oral steroids, weight gain?

blush64

Hi, I have been suffering a lot recently and it seems I must now take Advair 500 and a blue inhaler-ventolin of some sort, and for now an oral steroid. I started yesterday and just now after reading online about effects I found out some people gain a lot of weight on these.

I have taken medication in the past that caused weight gain no matter what I ate so now I am scared this will happen again just as I am starting to lose it.

Does anyone know about this? Any experience?

I need it so I won't be stopping, I just want to be prepared, maybe extra exercise--once this is under control.

lizr7313

How long are you on the oral steroid for?  If it's a short taper you might gain some water weight while on it but should lose it soon after stopping.  Advair shouldn't affect your weight since most of it is localized to your lungs. Ventolin shouldn't cause any weight gain.

Elle1036

I've been on oral steroids my whole life and, while I'm not perfectly thin, I've never exactly had a weight problem either.

That kind of thing does affect different people in different ways, though.  Hopefully you'll have no problems.

SCogs18

I used to take Advair when I was younger and saw no significant weight gain.  Every person is different, but just keep a close watch on it and continue to eat healthy and continue your weight loss plan.  If you are really worried, you can always talk to your doctor, that is what she is there for!

blush64

Thanks, I was getting a bit down over all that. I am only on the oral steroid for a week right now. If things go well I shouldn't need it regularly.

Thanks for replying, you have both made me feel better. I won't give up either way, but it's good to know I was worrying over probably nothing.

emyinpink

I've been on advair in the past and had no weight issues. The only asthma medication that I know can cause weight gain is prednisone. 

TIffany Caldwell

What steroid is it??  Both my FBILs and one of their wives are pharmacists and I know they are all not fans of prednisone at all!  I had to take it a while back(way before I know my FI) when I first found out about my arthritis in my hips and I won't lie I only took it for 2 weeks and gained about 10 lbs in that time then continued to gain after that for a few weeks and it took me a very long time to lose the weight again.  Ask you pharmacist about it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!  I know everyone is different and I hope you don't have the issues I did but your pharmacist is the best person to tell you what to expect from the meds they are usually better to ask then the Dr in my opinion.  

I don't want to scare you and I really hope you don't go through what I did!  I am sure you will be fine but I had to be honest.  Good Luck I hope it is only a week on the meds and you can go off! 

blush64

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_asthma-meds-oral-steroids-weight-gain?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:ec25c4c9-4173-48f9-bd16-439d0f610f3ePost:8d0dfccc-664b-4a80-87ba-8c2d438b075d">Re: Asthma meds, oral steroids, weight gain?</a>:
[QUOTE]What steroid is it??  Both my FBILs and one of their wives are pharmacists and I know they are all not fans of prednisone at all!  I had to take it a while back(way before I know my FI) when I first found out about my arthritis in my hips and I won't lie I only took it for 2 weeks and gained about 10 lbs in that time then continued to gain after that for a few weeks and it took me a very long time to lose the weight again.  Ask you pharmacist about it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!  I know everyone is different and I hope you don't have the issues I did but your pharmacist is the best person to tell you what to expect from the meds they are usually better to ask then the Dr in my opinion.   I don't want to scare you and I really hope you don't go through what I did!  I am sure you will be fine but I had to be honest.  Good Luck I hope it is only a week on the meds and you can go off! 
Posted by TIffany Caldwell[/QUOTE]

And of course it IS prednisone. Ok, at least I have a realistic look at what could happen. I do appreciate this. It's better knowing what I am looking at. It's only a week so hopefully it won't be that bad. And if the scale shows a jump I won't freak out, I'll work harder and eat smarter. Being prepared is all I can do. as soon as I am able to actually able to work out again. I only slept for 35 minutes last night due to sypmtoms.  I can't wait to get all this under control and start exercising. (as much as I hate exercising) I can barely speak and can't sleep so I have stopped execising until I'm all good.

MickeyINmadison27

Ok, well Predisone is a steroid BTW anything that ends in sone is a steroid. Prednisone and most steroids can cause weight gain. You will be more thirsty, hungry, maybe restless. Most steroids should be tapperd off to avoid renal issues.
You shouldnt have any trouble with Advair. Try and drink alot of H20 and the weight should come off as soon as you get off the steroid.
Thanks! Your friendly Paramedic.

Irishcurls

I was on prednisone for almost three weeks at the end of the winter for a really bad flare up of my asthma and noticed no weight gain. Angry as hell, but no weight gain. Agree with pps, just keep an eye on yourself, be mindful of it and kick it into high gear when you get off it. Lung health is important!

emyinpink

If you're only on prednisone for a week, you should be good. Weight gain is much more of a concern when folks are on prednisone long term (severe asthma or diseases like chrohn's).

brideinbluemi

Asmanex is another inhaler like Advair.  I switched off of advair because I didn't like the effects of the steroids.  Asmanex has even less steroid and works just as well as far as I can tell!  I don't have weight gain with it, but I did with Advair (no matter what people say, it CAN cause weight gain).