Re: ~ Prednisone ~ Buffalo Hump

[Guest guest]

I think you'd be entitled to that joyful dance, Tess, LOL!

I have little doubt that the prednisone is to blame for your buffalo

hump. Why some people get it and others don't is still somewhat of a

mystery, but there have been some interesting clues surfacing lately.

As you know, prednisone can exert powerful effects on your metabolism.

Even if you didn't have diabetes previously, diabetes can be a side

effect of long term prednisone use. Existing diabetes can worsen.

Prednisone can also cause an abnormal increase and distribution of fat.

A very interesting (and distressing) phenomenon is occurring in AIDS

patients - buffalo hump development. There is much discussion about

whether it is due to the use of drugs used to treat AIDS (not

prednisone).

Check out the conclusion from a study in 2003:

" The authors conclude, " This is the first study to identify risk factors

for buffalo hump in the setting of [HIV-associated LD]. The close

relationship between buffalo hump and glycemic parameters suggests this

patient subgroup is at higher risk for insulin resistance and

diabetes. " "

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2003icr/2ndias/documents/073003c.html

We don't fully understand why gastric surgery like yours would eliminate

existing diabetes, but there are some interesting theories. For whatever

reasons, it seems to cause a profound metabolic change. Hyperlipidemia,

insulin resistance, and obesity have a strong association. Break the

unhelpful cycles, and you will most likely see improvement.

You may have seen the studies that were out on liposuction this week -

although weight loss occurs, beneficial systemic effects don't. Your

case is different, much different.

Maybe, just maybe, the same metabolic changes that are causing your

diabetes to disappear are also affecting the accumulated fat tissue

behind your neck - perhaps they're allowing things to normalize. I think

the case could be made that there is a relationship there. I'm just

guessing and don't want to give you false hope, but we can hope!

I'm wondering, are you still taking any prednisone now? And what's the

latest diabetes report?

By the way, I have some connections that I think can get that bet up on

those giant boards in Vegas, LOL.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] ~ Prednisone ~ Buffalo Hump

> Dearest ...if this thing (which I have HATED with a royal passion

> for 32 years!!!) disappears I am going to shave my head and go dancing

> in the street!!! It is so yucky looking, and I feel like Quasimoto.

> And it is uncomfortable to lean back in a chair, wear certain

necklines,

> and honestly, causes my whole head to ache if I don't lay my head down

> occasionally. SO many doctors have said it's caused by my weight

> (balderdash!) though a few of the GOOD ones (a former neurologist, my

> rheumys past and present, my former PCP) knew it was prednisone

caused.

> I find myself reaching back and checking it several times a day and I

am

> always shocked at how much smaller it is.

>

> Too bad you & I couldn't make some quick dough by placing odds in

Vegas

> on whether my humpy-bump will disappear! I'm going with your thoughts

> on this!!!

>

> OK, now that I'm done being overly-excited : ) help me understand the

> correlation to diabetes. I understand that diabetes and polycystic

> ovarian syndrome are connected, and that prednisone causes fat to end

up

> in certain places. But I'm not sure how it all relates to the bump.

>

> All my love...

>

> Tess