Would you do...

RachNRich

Would you do *something very close to your wedding that would undoubtedly alter your appearance, and not necessarliy in a good way? 

*something not only alters appearance but may improve health. 

Nebb

depends on what it is. Spill.

shellydiane820

yes! in a heartbeat.  especially if i have been sick for a while now.

JessAndTrav

Like gastric bypass?

Rach, I don't think you need that.

mmdpm

In your case, "may" may not be good enough.  Can I ask for more details, you can PM if you want.

nda_roxybabe

Tell us!

sucrets4

Girl, your health is more important.

What does D think?

mocha beans

Depends.  How important is this something, is there a time constraint, how much will it improve health?

MissIntentional

i'm going to say no, but my answer may be different if i knew your situation.

stinkerbell6879

Depends...

Nebb

Tell us!!!

squirrly

Maybe?  I need more info.

RachNRich

Spilling:

My doctor said today that the plan of action is to put me on steroids (prednisone) to counter what they believe to be Sarcoidosis (it's as awesome as it sounds).

Last time I was on prednisone for my autoimmune flare up in my leg, it took 4 weeks---4weeks for my face to triple in size. I developed a rather common "moon face" and it, in my opinion, was awful. My cheeks hurt from being stretched so far...and I did not look like myself. 

The kicker is...if it works, I could feel better (markedly better) within a week. It could also do nothing. And it could make me worse. But the only way to find out is to take the steroids....and they want to blast me with a huge dose; 120 mgs daily. 

RachNRich

(and I think my initial response ended up in some random thread on some random club board, because that took WAY too long to post).

louisvillebride21

How quickly are you declining? And how quickly does the swelling go down? I'd be inclined to wait until after the wedding. As many stabs in the dark that they've taken, what's to say this isn't more guessing?

Nebb

Youre health is more important. If it does do something to your face, you can always get more photos of the two of you taken later when you are no longer on the pills. If its going to potentially make you feel better, do it.

jasmineh7777

Are you comfortable explaining a bit more?

stinkerbell6879

That's a terrible dilemma , but if comes down to you getting better than that is what you need to do. IMO

shellydiane820

That's a really tough decision, what does D say?  I would say yes just bc it makes you feel better, but it also sounds like your in pain.  The question is, which pain is worse?

jasmineh7777

Was the bloating your only issue in the past?
I have had to take prednisone before, and on high doses I can. not. function.
I have panic attacks, lose my sense of balance, and have terrible mood swings.
Do you have any of these issues?

With my reaction to it, I could not possibly enjoy my wedding day because I could either be crying or screaming at someone.

squirrly

Honestly, I'd ask if there was an intermediate solution.  Smaller dose to be sure it helps, etc.

RachNRich

D said to do it---and that we could always play dress up later (I mad fun of him for using the phrase "dress up"). 

If I start it (I already filled the prescription) and it works, it may be a very long time until I am off of the medication. I hate saying it won't work---but I am very cautious about going on such a powerful drug, at high doses, just to give it the good old college try. 

Bad picture in general, but this was me at the end of summer--a few months after ending the meds. My face was still swollen.

shellydiane820

I don't think you look bad at all.  You look healthy.

sucrets4

I agree that this would be one instance where I would support you doing pics later.

I also agree with seeing if you can do lower doses first or something else.

louisvillebride21

Ok, this may be a REALLY stupid question...but how different are you going to look than 'normal'? Once you factor in how much weight that you've lost I mean. I don't know how swelling from medication works, but it's a thought.

nda_roxybabe

Can you try it for a week see if seems to be helping and if not stop taking it?
Thats a tough call. The wedding is so close though...are you comfortable enough suffering through? (I know, ridiculous question)

jasmineh7777

How long are they thinking about keeping you on it?
From what I've read, at high doses and for long periods of time, there can be rare but serious side effects such as heart damage.
I know you've been mentioned being tired a lot lately. When I was on it a few months ago, I didn't sleep for days. That may just have been my reaction though. Were you okay with it before?

mocha beans

You look fine to me in that pic.  You seem to have a good face structure, so the swelling doesn't look bad at all.  If that's what happens, I'd give it a shot.

PsyDet 2155

I dont think you look swollen in that photo at all.  Like pp said, you look healthy. 

RachNRich

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_would-16?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:082bb255-f9bd-4cb7-aa66-7131e8e4cc40Post:fafc7b9b-0b2b-4b25-ac03-e782d8fad0c2">Re: Would you do...</a>:
[QUOTE]Was the bloating your only issue in the past? I have had to take prednisone before, and on high doses I can. not. function. I have panic attacks, lose my sense of balance, and have terrible mood swings. Do you have any of these issues? With my reaction to it, I could not possibly enjoy my wedding day because I could either be crying or screaming at someone.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]

<div>I have a hard time remembering what other issues, if any, I had with it. I remember one of my main issues last time being on it was "pain" through out my proximal muscles (i.e. my shoulders). I went to the Cleveland Clinic, still on the prednisone, and was my original diagnosis (focal myositis) was confirmed, and I was also diagnosis with fibromyalgia. </div><div>
</div><div>My health has, in my opinion, stabilized. I'm tired, and weak, and out of breathe from minimal exercise. I'm still running a log-grade fever, and losing a decent amount of weight--despite the munchie-pills they gave me. Could I go on like this for 5 more weeks? Sure. Could I make it through the wedding weekend? I doubt it. But I'm not sure how much better I may or may not be on the meds...and coupling that with the physical aspects, and I'm just scared. </div>

squirrly

Agreed, I don't think you look bad either.

FWIW, my grandmother was on prednisone for YEARS.  She eventually adjusted to it and lost the weight it caused her to gain.  If it's really likely to help - do it.  Now.  Although you may feel like you look really swollen, remember that you're your own worst critic and others will likely not see it quite so much.