Yes. It will also give you what they call "moon face" because it makes your face blow up and round out. Are you still battling UC or Chrons?

Some docs say Crohn's, but my GI thinks it's Indeterminent IBS. In Sept. I was treated for a fistula and a micro perforation of the afferent limb that's why my colorectal doc here in Syracuse and Dr. Sonoda at Weill Cornell believe it's Crohn's. However, blood work and biopsies did not show it.

I've been on Remicade for 9 months. The docs want me off the Pred. because it can interfere with the effectiveness of the Remicade.

I've been on both and both are evil medications even know they do have their benefits. Long term side effects are terrible if you stay on the prednisone. My colon was steroid dependent. Every time I would get down to 10 or 5 mg taper I would have another flare up. After having UC for 10+ years and now having my Jpouch and off the steroids I am starting to feel those side effects. I have terrible joint pain and am getting tested for rheumatoid arthritis. I also believe I developed a cataract in my left eye which I will hopefully find out tomorrow. Are you looking to get surgery or still playing around with the medicine? One thing I wish I would have done before I got to the point of no return and had to opt for surgery was to research how to have a healthier colon with probiotics and diet. I hope you are able to get off the meds. I would research as much as you can to find ways to be healthier and get rid of all the medicine.

Yes, prednisone can (and usually does) make you gain weight like crazy. Such an evil drug, but so effective.

Here are the specific side-effects that can affect your weight:
- Lethargy/fatigue (lower activity level)
- Appetite increase
- Encourages the body to store more fat, especially in face, back of neck, and abdomen
- Muscle and bone disintegration
- Lower hemoglobin count (carries oxygen to muscles)

My laundry list of side-effects from it generally didn't go away completely until about three months after my last dose. But FYI the weight gain with prednisone is typically real fat, not just water-weight like with some drugs, meaning you actually have to work it off by exercising and cutting calories.

However, losing weight and/or gaining muscle on prednisone can be done. For more details, feel free to check out my blog post on it:
"The Dread of Pred"

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Why are you still on it? Seems you should have been tapered off long ago by now. I don't understand.

Well confirmed today I have cataracts in both my eyes. Not bad enough for surgery right now but definitely from the prednisone. It is very effective but very evil. Try and get off and stay off of it. I also developed severe acne on my back when I was on it.

what was the alternative to pred? was it prednislone?