The mirror doesn't lie, but it doesn't tell the whole truth either. When you're on prednisone, the reflection looking back might feel like a stranger. Your face may be rounder. Your clothes may fit differently. And somewhere between needing this medication and watching what it does to your body, you might feel like you're losing yourself.

 

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Thousands of Sam visitors describe this exact experience. The deep sadness of not recognizing themselves. The frustration of gaining weight despite eating carefully. The anger that comes from needing a medication that does this to them.

 

This is the fate most prednisone patients face. But it doesn't have to be the end of the story.

 

What prednisone does to your body

Prednisone changes how your body handles everything from water to fat to muscle. Moon face is almost universal. Weight gain follows close behind, often 10, 20, or 30+ pounds concentrated around the midsection and face. Then there are the other changes: bruising, stretch marks, thinning hair. Each one chips away at the person you used to see.

 

Patient advocacy groups consistently identify weight gain and moon face as the top concerns among people on steroids, describing "deep sadness, anxiety, frustration, and even anger" about these side effects. They call steroids a "double-edged sword." Remarkably effective. Deeply distressing.

 

What you can control

You can't prevent moon face entirely or stop your body from redistributing fat through willpower alone. These are metabolic changes driven by the medication. Accepting this isn't giving up. It's being realistic, so you can focus your energy where it matters most - your overall health.

 

Other Sam visitors have found success managing their appetite with more protein and fiber, planning smaller, frequent meals, and keeping tempting foods out of the house.

 

They're protecting muscle with light strength training a few times a week. They're reducing sodium to minimize puffiness. They're tracking side-effects with the Sam Journey Tracker to prepare for doctor appointments.

 

Working with your healthcare team

Your doctor needs to know how these side effects are affecting you, physically and emotionally. Questions worth asking your doctor: Can we reduce my dose? Are there alternative treatments? What's the timeline for tapering?

 

As Dr Meredith Marinaro reminds patients, 

"Your quality of life matters. If side effects are making you miserable, that's not something you just have to live with. Let's talk about what we can adjust."

The fate you can rewrite

Here's what other Sam visitors want you to know: most visible prednisone side effects are reversible. Moon face typically starts reducing within weeks of stopping or lowering your dose. Weight can be addressed once the medication isn't working against you.

 

But some effects aren't reversible. Prednisone can cause permanent damage to your bones, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. It can trigger glaucoma or cataracts that damage your vision. It increases your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infections. The longer you're on it and the higher your dose, the greater these risks become.

 

This is exactly why staying on the lowest effective dose matters and why regular monitoring is necessary. Bone density scans, eye exams, glucose checks, and blood pressure readings all need to be part of your routine. Catching these complications early means you can address them before they become irreversible.

 

The fate of a prednisone-treated patient doesn't have to be one of giving up despite dealing with a medication that's both necessary and dangerous. Within that reality, you have choices. You can track your side effects, advocate for dose reductions, stay on top of monitoring, and work with your healthcare team to minimize both the duration and the dose to ward off damage. You didn't choose this medication, but you can choose how you protect yourself from its long-term consequences. 

 

Start tracking your journey today. Because the fate of a prednisone patient isn't written in advance, you get to help write your own story.

 

To track your side effects, visit Sam’s Journey Tracker.

Remember, always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle to ensure the best care for your specific health needs.