sigh

[Rachel Jane]

The steroids are good. They let me function without being chronically dizzy. I can sleep at night. I can work. I can take care of my family.

BUT!
I can't lose weight. My metabolism is completely shot. The 4 pounds I lost while DH was away returned without any change in what I was eating. I made sure to not change so that I could see if there was a pattern. I can have a 3 to 4 pound weight fluctuation from one day to the next with no significant downward trend.

Also, I am watching way too much TV. I have watched more television since January than in all of my life up until this point. I know I am using it as an escape. I am sure that sitting around isn't helping my metabolism.

In the big picture of life, I am better on the steroids than off. I am just frustrated.

[Cara in WA]

I feel how frustrated you are. I'm sorry.

You can't control what steriods do to you chemically, but keep doing what makes you feel well. Just try to concentrate on the things you CAN control.

[Rachel Jane]

Thanks for caring, Cara! I don't want to care about the appearance part, but it is hard to let go.

[Marcia]

How frustrating, RJ.

[shonda in ca]

RJ, I didn't know you were on steroids. McKenna has been on and off of high dose prednisone since Sept. She is a skinny minny girl, but when she is on the steroids she gains weight very fast. She also gets HUNGRY. Besides that the other side effects of moon face, sleep disturbances, feeling depressed, tired and grumpy has made us have a love hate relationship with this medication.
So, I'm glad you aren't experiences those other side effects, too. I'm sorry it has whacked out your metabolism.

[Cara in WA]

Thanks for caring, Cara! I don't want to care about the appearance part, but it is hard to let go.

I get it. If you didn't care, you wouldn't try so hard. But you do, you workout every day and it's hard to keep putting in that kind of effort with no result.

[Laura F]

I'm sorry, RJ. I have 3 close friends who struggle with this dilemma, too. How long will you be on steroids? Would changing your exercise choices help? I'm just thinking out loud...

[Rachel Jane]

How frustrating, RJ.

Thanks for the love!

RJ, I didn't know you were on steroids. McKenna has been on and off of high dose prednisone since Sept. She is a skinny minny girl, but when she is on the steroids she gains weight very fast. She also gets HUNGRY. Besides that the other side effects of moon face, sleep disturbances, feeling depressed, tired and grumpy has made us have a love hate relationship with this medication.
So, I'm glad you aren't experiences those other side effects, too. I'm sorry it has whacked out your metabolism.

Sorry for your baby girl. I guess I should be happy with just the moon face and weight stagnancy. I think I am less depressed on it because I can function.

I get it. If you didn't care, you wouldn't try so hard. But you do, you workout every day and it's hard to keep putting in that kind of effort with no result.

I do have some results. I am stronger and have more definition. I think I would look really blobby if I wasn't working out and eating well.

I'm sorry, RJ. I have 3 close friends who struggle with this dilemma, too. How long will you be on steroids? Would changing your exercise choices help? I'm just thinking out loud...

The steroid use is indefinite. I have an ongoing condition that goes through cycles. When I am on the meds I function. Very soon after going off, I falter.
May I ask why your friends are on steroids?

My exercise choices are agility (2 to 3 times a week), Zumba! (2x a week) and cross fit (2x a week). I also like to bike, hike and kayak. I used to run, but it is way too hot for that. You can't really get more kicking' than cross fit. The other people at the gym are very buff. it is known for its quick results. Crossfit is never the same workout, so your body never gets used to an activity. Even if you do a similar workout three months later it is a different amount of weights or repetitions because you are stronger. Are you familiar with it?

[Negin in Grenada]

[Esther-Alabama]

I'm sorry, RJ. I didn't know you had to use steroids long term. Any and all pictures I see of you do not show an overweight and unhealthy person. Honestly, I am so impressed you are able to be as thin as you are ON steroids! VERY impressed indeed. You are doing a fantastic job under really hard conditions and I will send a .