Question:
I have asthma and have been using steriods for eleven years and..

I was a very small child and I got diagnosed for asthma when I was between five and seven. Then my weight climbed and climbed. I could not have gained this weight on steriods alone right? I am not sure myself what happened. My weight shoots up so fast I am scared. One year I was 303 and I went through a summer and by the time I went back to school I was 345. How? I have refused steriods since and stopped gaining until recently. Has anyone had this problem? Is it really from steriods? If I have this surgery (fingers crossed) then will they effect my weight?    — Caroline C. (posted on March 15, 2002)

March 15, 2002
WOW! That's my story, too! I could never lose the weight I gained from taking the Predisone or the Celestone. But after surgery, I did! And, my asthma is MUCH improved...I get by on one Singulair and two puffs of Serevent twice a day, hardly ever using my rescue inhaler. Good Luck to you!
   — merri B.

March 15, 2002
Hi Caroline...It depends on the kind of steroids you were on as to whether that could be the cause of your weight gain. If you have been on Asthmacourt, Qvar, or those types of inhalaed steroids, then probably not. If you were on Prednizone, Prelone or one those types of steroids, then that is a very good possibility. Have you have you ketosteroid levels tested?? The DR can tell by these tests. I have learned recently that is is very dangerous to go into surgery if the ketosteroids tests high. Are you post or pre op?
   — ScatCat