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Current Topic: how long does it take for the swelling of the cheeks to go down??

HI MY NAME IS MILAGROS I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LUPUS NEPHRITIS A YEAR AGO,NOW IM DRINKING THIS PILL CALLED PREDNISONE AND ITS SWOLLENED MY CHEEKS AND MADE ME GAIN WEIGHT.THIS REALLY IS AFFECTING THE WAY I THINK ABOUT MYSELF I FEEL MORE INSECURE AND I DONT LIKE HOW I LOOK WHAT SHOULD I DO?EVERYONE LOOKS AT ME DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF MY CHEEKS AND I JUST FEEL DEPRESSED I THOUGHT MAYBE BY POSTING THIS UP YOU GUYS COULD GIVE ME SOME SUPPPORT AND TIPS ON WHAT TO DO

I, too, have developed the "moon face" from Prednisone. When I was diagnosed in 12/09, I was prescribed 60 mgs Pred daily. It took about 1 1/2 month for my new moon face/ chipmunk cheeks to become more obvious, with weight gain included. Since then, and more recently, I have been tapering down on the Preds, which gradually (not fast enough though) subsides the moon face. I can totally relate to how you feel depressed. Experiment with a new hairstyle and/or makeup. I just ran into a show on cable on LifeTime Women entitled "how to look good naked" and it was refreshing to watch how the hosts helped the women look at themselves in a positive light by valuing their already great physical attributes. Remember that you are still beautiful and a very interesting woman and we are much stronger in spirit!

Prednisone does produce a "moon face", "dowager's hump" (on the back of the neck, and a thickening/fattenning of the torso, as I've read and have lived through this side effect. Once I began to taper down on the Pred dosage, the chipmunk cheeks have slightly subsided. Just watch what you eat with regards to the weight gain. Preds do increase appetite in some. Lastly, remind yourself, even if you have to do it daily, about the positive attributes you have as a woman, which I am sure you have many.

Prednisone is not to be taken long term...why does your Dr not have you on a "weaning" dose regimen?

what does weaning mean?

"Weaning" is about tapering down on the amount or dosage to give the body a chance to adjust at the new lesser dosage. This has to be done gradually. One cannot just go "cold turkey" or attempt to do it on our own without professional medical advice, especially with Prednisone, Plaquenil, or Methotrexate, and any similarly-potent drugs. Dawn is correct about not being on Prednisone for long term when it is a high dosage. I am not a medical expert nor do I want to give you incorrect advise, but these are just my opinions based on my own case and per my rheumatologist's guidance. I was on 60 mgs of Prednisone initially because of the doctor felt I needed that to stop the vasculitis. However, with being on such a high dose, it was also making me more borderline diabetic, affecting my heart and breathing, causing my insomnia, causing my menstrual cycle to completely halt since I started on Prednisone, rapid weight gain, and a sleu of new symptoms too many to list here. When my lab results (blood) began to show some "in range" results, and I was also reporting a little relief from the pains and the rashes gradually disappearing and not returning, my dr put me on a "schedule" to taper or wean from Prednisone. I got to the point of being on 2 1/2 mgs, but life went on, typical stressors, sun exposure.... all made me go into a flare again, so up I went again on the Prednisone, to my disgust and frustration. Now, I'm trying to taper/ wean off again, and currently at 7 1/2 mgs, but it has been touch and go again, as I am still in a flare but just bearing the awful symptoms and trying to live normally despite. I hope all this helps a little.