# Prednisone: will a short course make me puffy & fat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 20, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109 "2004-02-20T00:34:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/41 "2026-07-06T03:48:02Z")
I looked up the prednisone dosage for AIHA. I can see why you would feel that way! 1 to 1.5mg/kg/day until things stabilize, which could take months, and then taper off gradually. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/42 "2026-07-06T22:34:39Z")
I’ve taken Prednisone courses twice as an adult, for Bell’s Palsy. I regret I don’t remember the dosage, I think it was for 10 days decreasing each day, both times. I had zero side effects. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/43 "2026-07-07T15:38:57Z")
I decided not to take it. I did have a vertigo episode the day before yesterday, but it was very mild and there was no nausea or vomiting. And it cleared up the symptoms which lead up to and trigger the vertigo episodes, too. So I think I’m now good for our upcoming vacation. I’ll revisit the prednisone question after the vacay, if I feel symptoms coming on again. I’ll consult with the doc and see about incidences of negative side effects with this dosage of steroid, and then maybe I’ll take it. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/44 "2026-07-07T20:41:41Z")
> [@scott\_evil](#): > > including excessive thirst, frequent urination These two seem to go hand in hand. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/45 "2026-07-07T21:13:03Z")
One(me) wishes that were always true. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/46 "2026-07-07T23:22:40Z")
I would recommend that you fill the prescription, and take it with you and hope you don’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109/47 "2026-07-08T15:29:58Z")
I do have the pills in hand. But if I take them, it’ll be after the vacation and after I consult with the doc again. Between the two risks, I’d rather risk a vertigo and vomiting attack on vacation rather than a major flipout due to commencing a course of prednisone pills. Besides, I always have due warning of an upcoming vertigo event: several days or weeks of roaring tinnitus, pressure, and hyperacusis. I’ll know when to expect one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prednisone-will-a-short-course-make-me-puffy-fat/230109.md?page=2)