Short YouTube transcript where Dr. Joshua John-Ram Schacter explains that systemic (oral) steroid use can affect metabolism — causing weight gain, water retention, and long-term joint damage — while noting steroids are sometimes appropriate for treating lupus flares and that biologic alternatives exist; he advises consulting the prescribing rheumatologist about options.
Hi Ming Ming, the systemic use of steroids, like using them by mouth, can have impacts in your metabolism. It can cause weight gain and water retention. There's some other things that steroids, chronic use of steroids can cause, like damage to your joints over time. But what you have to think about is that lupus is one of those diseases where steroids can be a treatment. If you're using them by mouth, I would certainly recommend that you do talk to your rheumatologist or the doctor that's prescribing them about other options, because there's biologic options that you can use that are alternatives to steroids. But in some cases, steroids can be the best treatment for lupus flares and that type of situation. Thanks for the question.
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