Loss of muscle mass

[merlin 2]

Hi I apparently have steroid induced diabetes 2 though it really makes no difference why ive got , the fact is ive got it. Ive lost two stone since being on high dose steriods for 10 weeks due to a bad case of pneumonia 18 months ago, im now down to 9 stone which was my pre steroid weight. My problem is although i eat plently of protein and fats ive lost muscle mass. Ive heard that protein shakes or supplements can help so any advise would be great.

 

[Tophat1900]

I guessing it was prednisone. I'd suggest perhaps getting your c-peptide checked to see how much insulin you are producing. Steriod induced T2 can damage the pancreas. I'd also imagine your bg levels have been high?

If damage has been done and you are not producing enough insulin anymore, then that could well explain your muscle mass loss.

At least that's what I'd do. If you are producing enough insulin then it may well just be muscle loss from taking a high dose of steriods for 10 wks. I'm a firm believer in resistance training while taking these drugs to counter the damage they do. Long term use can weaken not just muscles, but also bone density.

It may well be worth finding out the cause of your muscle mass loss before spending money on whey protein and supplements if you are already eating plenty of protein and fat.

 

[Dark Horse]

If you're already eating plenty of protein then taking protein supplements won't have any effect. You need a stimulus to re-build muscle such as resistance training with progressive overload (explained here https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/progressive-overload-the-concept-you-must-know-to-grow.html ).

You don't have to go to a gym, there are plenty of programmes that can be done at home. If you have lost a lot of strength, this is an easy programme to start:- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-exercises/ If that's too easy, try this:- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/30-minute-workout-no-gym-equipment-required/ There are plenty of other programmes available - try googling 'resistance training workouts' or 'strength training workouts'.

 

[JohnEGreen]

I lost over 8 stone a lot of that was muscle yes you need protein to build muscle but exercise and weight training is necessary and as both are extremely problematic for me I guess I won't be regaining that muscle any time soon.

If in the UK you may be able to get a referral to a gym from your GP.

 

[NicoleC1971]

Hi I apparently have steroid induced diabetes 2 though it really makes no difference why ive got , the fact is ive got it. Ive lost two stone since being on high dose steriods for 10 weeks due to a bad case of pneumonia 18 months ago, im now down to 9 stone which was my pre steroid weight. My problem is although i eat plently of protein and fats ive lost muscle mass. Ive heard that protein shakes or supplements can help so any advise would be great.

1 additional motivation to getting started on resistance training is that if you do it to just a moderate extent (2-3 x per week) you body will become more insulin sensitive thus you will be less diabetic.
As mentioned above Exercise on Referral sessions can be prescribed for diabetics (you will get a supervised session and ongoing help at your local council gym) and there are some good home based ones on You Tube that don't involve any kit other than your body. This one is great and takes 5 minutes
https://drchatterjee.com/5min-kitchen-workout/

 

[merlin 2]

I guessing it was prednisone. I'd suggest perhaps getting your c-peptide checked to see how much insulin you are producing. Steriod induced T2 can damage the pancreas. I'd also imagine your bg levels have been high?

If damage has been done and you are not producing enough insulin anymore, then that could well explain your muscle mass loss.

At least that's what I'd do. If you are producing enough insulin then it may well just be muscle loss from taking a high dose of steriods for 10 wks. I'm a firm believer in resistance training while taking these drugs to counter the damage they do. Long term use can weaken not just muscles, but also bone density.

It may well be worth finding out the cause of your muscle mass loss before spending money on whey protein and supplements if you are already eating plenty of protein and fat.

Thankyou thats great advice i will look into it

 

[merlin 2]

If you're already eating plenty of protein then taking protein supplements won't have any effect. You need a stimulus to re-build muscle such as resistance training with progressive overload (explained here https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/progressive-overload-the-concept-you-must-know-to-grow.html ).

You don't have to go to a gym, there are plenty of programmes that can be done at home. If you have lost a lot of strength, this is an easy programme to start:- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-exercises/ If that's too easy, try this:- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/30-minute-workout-no-gym-equipment-required/ There are plenty of other programmes available - try googling 'resistance training workouts' or 'strength training workouts'.

Thankyou so much thats great

 

[merlin 2]

1 additional motivation to getting started on resistance training is that if you do it to just a moderate extent (2-3 x per week) you body will become more insulin sensitive thus you will be less diabetic.
As mentioned above Exercise on Referral sessions can be prescribed for diabetics (you will get a supervised session and ongoing help at your local council gym) and there are some good home based ones on You Tube that don't involve any kit other than your body. This one is great and takes 5 minutes
https://drchatterjee.com/5min-kitchen-workout/

Great advice thankyou

 

[merlin 2]

1 additional motivation to getting started on resistance training is that if you do it to just a moderate extent (2-3 x per week) you body will become more insulin sensitive thus you will be less diabetic.
As mentioned above Exercise on Referral sessions can be prescribed for diabetics (you will get a supervised session and ongoing help at your local council gym) and there are some good home based ones on You Tube that don't involve any kit other than your body. This one is great and takes 5 minutes
https://drchatterjee.com/5min-kitchen-workout/

Great advice thanks so much