Use of inflamitry steroids

[Abbeypearl]

Hi there!
I have recently been diagnosed with Crohn's after 3 years of stomach terror. I have been on 50mg decreasing by 5mg each week of the steroid medication. Currently on 40mg.

My sisters wedding is in 2.5 weeks and because of this medication I have gained stomach weight and also in my face resulting in having to go a size up in my bridesmaid dress.

Is there anyway to reduce the bloating/water retention/weight gain in this amount of time?

I am finding it all so difficult to deal with already and this extra side effect is making it so much harder and it is leaving my self confidence at a zero.

Thanks

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Hi Abbey, welcome to the forum. Unfortunately, weight gain and moon face are both really common side effects of steroids. The good news is, the moon face should eventually go away once you're off of the steroids. The stomach weight may or may not go away once you are off of the steroids (personally, my steroid belly jiggle stubbornly stuck around after I came off of steroids - I was able to shrink things somewhat with exercise for awhile, but then I went back on steroids and undid everything that exercise had done, so at this point I have just gotten used to having a bit of extra flab in that area).

Long story short - I doubt that there is any way that you'll be able to lose the moon face and steroid belly before your sister's wedding. Honestly though, looking good for a wedding should not be your focus - getting into remission and staying there should be the ultimate goal. I know it's difficult right now, I'm sure things are very scary right now with the diagnosis and treatment being so new to you. Do something nice for yourself to get a bit of self confidence back - find a cute new outfit that fits your "new" body, or even honestly just something small like sparkly nail polish makes me feel much cuter and happier.

 

[FrozenGirl]

Honestly not really.

Avoiding salt a couple days before the wedding might help with bloating and water retention but the moon face and weight likely won't go away. It might help you feel more confident to look into contouring you face to make it look slimmer. You can do it yourself with the right makeup (check out youtube tutorials) or ask a makeup artist to try it on you.

Either way remember it probably seems much worse and noticeable to you than to others.