You know how, when someone is first losing weight, they say that they drop “water weight” first? Well, in my case, that seems to be “inflammation weight” — whatever that is.
When I was weighed at the doctor’s office 2 days ago, I came in at 368 lbs. No big deal, that’s still down a couple of pounds from the last time I was there. I came home, started the regimen of prednisone steroid (a 10-day supply) yesterday, and weighed myself today. One day on it, and I’m weighing in at 362. Now, there are other factors at play — like the fact that I was weighed later in the day, after eating lunch and having coffee, whereas for this weigh-in, it was first thing in the morning. But the fact remains that I weighed 6 pounds less in ONE DAY of prednisone.
Normally, prednisone is known for weight gain. Now, that’s also partially due to taking it longer term, which isn’t an option for me. I found it interesting, though, that my weight fluctuates so drastically and so quickly when I’m on the steroid. The same thing happened on the Methyl prednisolone. I dropped about 10 pounds within a week. Stellar weight loss, but not really practical. And, as soon as I was off the steroid treatment, all that weight that I “shed” came right back — with the inflammation.
I’m starting to wonder just what’s causing the widespread inflammation throughout my body. The interim doctor wants to run a couple of tests for autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, two things that haven’t been tested for yet, because I don’t show any of the other markers for them. But what if they’ve just been hiding in this inflammation? That’s a scary thought to me.
I am looking forward to the smartwatch that is coming in the mail next week. It will sync up with my scale as well as monitor my pulse and oxygen saturation throughout the day. I can keep track of my vitals while I track my actual weight loss. I’m curious to see how the numbers will fluctuate and vary throughout the days and weeks ahead.