Steroids and gaining weight

[KathyLev 284]

I got worried because I'm 2 months out from surgery and my chest hurt and felt hot and I felt sick. I thought - "Oh no - the hiatel hernia repair is infected ! " Went to a walk in clinic and they said it's bronchitis. She said "I don't want to give you steroids because it'll make you gain weight". 3 weeks later,I'm still coughing. Steroids have always worked wonders for me , but now that I had the surgery,I'm wondering if they'll interfere with the weight loss if I take them. I want to go to my family doctor ,but I want to know about the steroids before he might suggest them. Have you ever taken any and do you think it affected your weight?

[ChunkCat 697]

I gain weight on steroids, every time. It makes cravings so intense and all I can stomach for days after I take them is ice cream. LOL It is weird and annoying. I know I'm not the only one that gets cravings on steroids. That said, if I needed them, I'd still take them. I'm prone to bronchitis and immune compromised. We never want it to turn into pneumonia so I end up on steroids for it each time. I think my weight gain averages about 10 lbs per round, which is frustrating but not worth risking my health for in the long term. But that's just me, everyone will have their own opinion and experiences.

Have they tried giving you an inhaler for the bronchitis? You can get a steroid inhaler. I don't gain weight or have cravings with that. And they are really effective!

[KathyLev 284]

They gave me an Albuteral (sp?) inhaler. It does help somewhat. Is that a steroid?

[ChunkCat 697]

No, albuterol is not a steroid, it doesn't really take down inflammation, it just helps to open your airways. A steroid inhaler is different!

[KathyLev 284]

Oh Thank you !!! I think I'll go to my family doc ,now that I don't have to worry about weight gain !