Hello rara64-ga,
The puffiness you are experiencing is caused by water retention, a
side effect of predisone. ?Fluid retention. Prednisone can cause you
to retain fluid. Your physician will monitor this process. Fluid
retention can be caused by sodium retention and potassium depletion
through frequent urination. A salt-restricted/potassium-rich diet may
help reduce fluid retention.? Further down in my answer are links to
information about foods you should eat while withdrawing from
prednisone.
?How long will the side effects last?
If adverse effects develop, they will usually persist as long as the
medication is continued. As the dose decreases, so will the adverse
effects. Some adverse effects are permanent and will not reverse after
the medication is discontinued.
Are there any special dietary considerations?
Patients taking prednisone should be on high protein/low salt/low
carbohydrate diets and eat well-balanced meals.?
http://www.myasthenia.org/information/Prednisone.htm
When stopping Prednisone, it?s VERY important to taper the dose, and
not suddenly stop. While you are taking prednisone by mouth, the body
will slow or stop its own production of natural hormones, depending on
dose and the length of time taken.
The duration of a dose of prednisone lasts in the body for about a
day and a half. By tapering the amount you take when going off this
medication, your body gradually begins to produce its own hormones.
?It is important that the dose be tapered to an every other day
schedule once the condition is controlled. The reason for this is that
body will perceive these hormones and not produce any of its own. In
time, the adrenal glands will atrophy so that when the medication is
discontinued, the patient will be unable to respond to any stressful
situation. An actual circulatory crisis can result. By using the
medication every other day, this allows the body's own adrenal glands
to remain active.
When prednisone/prednisolone is used routinely, serious side effects
would not be expected. When doses become immune-suppressive (higher
doses) or use becomes "chronic" (longer than 4 months at an every
other day schedule), the side effects and concerns associated become
different. In these cases, monitoring tests may be recommended or, if
possible, another therapy may be selected.?
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_prednisone.html
?The side effects can be uncomfortable and grow in severity if the
treatment is continued for a long period of time. With prolonged use,
the drug halts the communication between the pituitary gland and the
adrenals. It can impair the response to stress for up to one to two
years following the cessation of the drug.?
http://www.itppeople.com/corticosteroids.htm
?In a person with healthy adrenals, cortisol levels start to rise
around 4am, are at their maximum around the time you wake up in the
morning and then gradually taper off during the day. That is why you
will be advised to take your largest divided dose first thing in the
morning. Cortisol levels are naturally at their lowest shortly after
going to sleep, so it is best to take your last divided dose of the
day by early evening. Taking steroid medication too late in the
evening can cause sleeping difficulties. Around 6pm, or at least four
hours before going to bed, is best. Aldosterone production follows a
similar pattern to cortisol, with the highest levels naturally
occurring around the time you wake up. That is why fludrocortisone is
usually taken with the morning medication.
?In order for prednisone to have the desired effect on the body, it
must be taken at certain regular intervals. DO NOT stop taking
prednisone suddenly. Prednisone is a drug that must be tapered
slowly.It is best to take prednisone with a meal or a snack to avoid
stomach upset.?
Prednisone may interact with the following medications:
嫂nticoagulants
媲arbiturates
嵩holestyramine (Questran)
嵩hronic high dose aspirin
幌phedrine (found in cold medications)
徬etoconazole
感henobarbital
感henytoin
愛ifampin
愁roleandomycin
http://ibscrohns.about.com/cs/prednisone/a/prednisonefaq.htm
?Basically, what is best for people taking steroids is to eat as
healthy as possible. Keeping your weight down is so important. As
weight can exacerbate some steroid side effects such as
steroids-induced diabetes, high-blood pressure, and high cholesterol,
losing weight while there is control of the disease and the steroid
doses are down, can make a significant difference. Add extra protein,
cut out simple sugars, and add in more fruits and vegetables. There
are wonderful recipes in books and online that can make the change in
our eating habits more enjoyable. Seek the help of a therapist to deal
with the many issues that surround disease and drug side effects.?
http://www.pemphigus.org/af_prednutrition.html
Foods high in potassium:
?Foods high in potassium are: one-half cup of orange juice, one large
banana, one baked potato, one-half winter squash, one cup tomato
juice, one cup vegetable juice cocktail, one-half cup avocado,
one-half cup cooked dried beans and one tablespoon black strap
molasses.
Additional foods that are moderately high in potassium are: 100% bran
cereals, dried fruit (apricots, dates, peaches, figs, prunes,
raisins), meat (beef, chicken, halibut, pork, salmon, veal),
cantaloupe, milk, grapefruit juice, lima beans, mushrooms (canned),
parsnips, peanut butter, pineapple juice, plums, spinach, watermelon,
yams and yogurt. A wide variety of foods have potassium in them. If
you eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods, you would normally
eat enough foods high in potassium.?
http://www.dietitian.com/potassiu.html
A modified Atkin?s diet may help you, short term, as this diet is low
carb, high protein diet. If you are taking any other medications, I
would call your doctor to see if you can tolerate a low sodium-high
potassium-low carb diet. Decrease your salt intake, and increase your
potassium intake. Do this with diet, and not supplements. Drink plenty
of liquids, especially water. Eventually, your body will get back to
speed, and you?ll lose the puffiness. If, after 2-3 weeks symptoms
persist, see your doctor.
Information on High Protein/Low sodium/Low Carb diets:
http://www.lowcarb.ca/newsmenu/opinionfor.html
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Low-carb-diet.htm
I hope this is the information you seek. If any part of my answer is
unclear, please, before rating, request an Answer Clarification. I
will respond as soon as possible.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
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