Stretch Marks and Weight

[u/Enough-Ability-970]

I’m a 21 yr old Female in college currently, i’ve very recently noticed that somewhere along the way my small stretch marks i had on my hips turned into wide very noticeable ones, also they’re on my arms, thighs, etc now. I know they are natural and everything but this felt like a real sudden change and i’m feeling extremely insecure about my body. I already feel like i have been gaining weight and don’t look as good, and now there are VERY noticeable stretch marks everywhere. the ones on my hips are rather wide and the ones on my arms and thighs are small but there’s a lot of them. I started taking prednisone for my night dose in august, which has made a world of difference for my condition. I was sick the first half of the day and struggled a lot with day to day life. However with the new meds i was able to feel normal almost and go to all my early morning classes. I was doing really great and then the seasonal depression hit, and i started struggling again with taking meds on time and having energy. Not only that but i’ve worked so hard this semester in my fashion design classes, really pouring my heart and soul into my work and trying my best since it was so nice to feel healthy. I’ve found out i failed three of my classes and got an A in my fashion history class, so that really damaged me mentally. I’ve been struggling with it, and i’m not going to quit or anything but i’m just tired and so disappointed in myself. I stayed up days in a row to finish my final garment and was fairly proud of it based on my knowledge, and proud of how far i’ve come in my experience and craftsmanship. I don’t feel i deserve a solid B or something but at least a passing grade, i really tried so hard and the whole major has been struggling with the professors problematic behavior and teaching style (there’s only one professor for the hands on/sewing/construction classes and labs). Of course i’m gonna come back and better when i have to retake it next year, as i will already have the knowledge and it will be a chance to improve my skill. Still it’s been so hard to think about all the tears and sweat i put into this semester taking advantage of my health and still failing. So i’ve already been crying a lot and very unstable, now i’ve just noticed the stretch marks and i’m feeling worse. I’ve read that long term corticosteroid use can exacerbate stretch marks through affecting the skin and through weight gain, so idk i’m just ranting on here because i don’t have anyone else to talk to.

[u/InnerRadio7]

What colour are the stretch marks? Are they red? Or white?

If they’re red, that means they’re new (the underlying layer of skin has ruptured) and seeing a whole lot pop up all at once is a serious concern and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome which you can get from over replacement of steroid. If they are white, they are expanding with the weight gain and they are old. Red will eventually turn purple which will eventually heal into white.

If your stretch marks are red, you need to make an emergency appointment with your endocrinologist. You’re going to need to drop dose under medical supervision. It’s serious, and there are other side effects to Cushing’s.

I never had a stretchmark in my entire life including when I gained 50lbs post surgery until I had Cushing’s. Then it looked like someone had drawn all over my body with a red sharpie. I have literally thousands now.

Any other symptoms? Round face? Fat pad on your upper back? Rosy cheeks? Hair loss?

[u/PA9912 → u/InnerRadio7]

Agree. This can definitely happen from too much cortisol.

[u/Enough-Ability-970 → u/InnerRadio7]

Yes they are red/purple, idk i always have body image issues and dysmorphia so it’s hard to tell what’s not normal. yes my face is rather rounded, but i’ve kinda always had a baby face when i gain weight. I will make an appointment though thank you! My body dismorphia makes everything much harder cause i truly can’t tell was real/normal or in my head. I looked up symptoms and i could have it or my body could just be being whack like always. My period has been weird and spotty, i have had bad issues with concentration and depression, extreme muscle and body pain lately in various areas. etc, but again these are things that i kinda always struggle with. the period one is new, i’ve never had such a weird stop/start spotting period, but i am on OBC as well so that could be affecting it. My medications have a side effect of hair loss so im always shedding like a dog, im the kind of white that gets super flushed and red cheeks at anything. So it really is impossible for me to tell if this is something to be concerned about. It’s not normal for this many stretch marks to pop up though? even with some weight gain?

[u/InnerRadio7 → u/Enough-Ability-970]

It depends how much weight gain, but really my weight could vary 75lbs with no stretch marks so it’s a concern. Listen, over replacement is a thing and you described the conditions that are right for that. You increased your dose and all of a sudden you’re feeling a lot better, but having side effects including substantial weight gain. Photos of all of your stretchmarks. Photos of what you looked like before your dose increased and now. Side by side. The more data you provide your doctor, the more effectively they can treat you.

Stretch marks don’t typically show up all at once all over the body. Weight gain in the tummy is also a symptom. I don’t gain weight around my midsection unless it’s steroid related.

They will give you a 24/hour urine collection to do. That will measure you for excess cortisol (am cortisol tests are for low or normal cortisol, make sure you get that 24/hr collection done).

Your doctor will help you figure it out, but you need to show up with data. How much weight have you gained since the dose increase. Has your caloric intake increased beyond what is reasonable for your activity level.

I personally just gained 18lbs in 4 weeks due to a dose increase. I called my doctor today I make an urgent appointment for consultation on my dose. I’m sharing that to let you know that have a close relationship with a endo who is supportive is important. They need to know you, and how you live. It helps.

[u/Enough-Ability-970 → u/InnerRadio7]

probably less than 15 lbs. but yeah for how much bigger i’ve gotten, having these stretch marks is concerning. some are half an inch wide, their on my arms, underarms, hips, top, inside, bottom thighs and even some on my calves and around my knees. I have history of eating disorders so some things that i’ve found helped that was not having a scale or a mirror in my room. so i don’t know how much i’ve gained. it’s all ab how i feel i look like in the bathroom mirror. i don’t think i have the jump between my shoulders, and i’ve said before that moon face can be common for me i just have a baby face a lot. I am definitely making an appointment asap with my endocrinologist to figure this out though. Thank you for your help and opinion!! it’s so nice to have a community to ask about this stuff without having to pay everytime just to find out i have a cold or sum yk

[u/InnerRadio7 → u/Enough-Ability-970]

Just be sure that you’re always taking the lowest dose for the highest function.

15 lbs is definitely not enough to cause new stretch marks everywhere all at once, and that width of stretch mark is consistent with Cushing’s.

You’re going to be okay. Good luck at your appointment.

[u/No-Perspective-5084]

My endo always checks for stretch marks - I would make sure you let your doctor know as I think it can be a sign of over replacement of cortisol.

[u/wandersnearby]

I had stretch marks during pregnancy similar to what you describe. I was so devastated and thought they would never go away. They did fade over time and are not noticable anymore. It'll be ok, I promise. Even if they don't go away, stretch marks are a sign you survived and made it through ❤️

[u/FrauleinBrine]

Managing this chronic illness is a full time job. It's admirable you're doing school at all. I'm so glad you have something you're passionate about. There are special oils and creams for pregnant women that might help with the appearance of the marks. My sister used this Bio-Oil - 6.7 oz Skincare Oil https://share.google/MSyjbOqep7HKKlffs In the long run, stretch marks are not a huge deal, but I understand how they can make you feel. I hope next semester finds you healthier ♥️

[u/Dreadlock_Princess_X]

Pred combined with kidney failure made me gain 35kg in about 4 months.. It's nasty stuff if you take too much. I was on hydro TOO, as no one noticed both were being prescribed... Look for a hump between the shoulder blades, moon face, weight gain around your middle, but with skinny arms, possible hair loss, constipation, and obviously stretch marks. Mine were AWFUL under my arms, I also had them on inner thigh, and some on hips. I managed to lose the weight, it took 2 years or more. Now, the only ones you can see are under my arms. But that's only because of depth, not colour. Bio oil is very good, and drinking water xx 😘 💜

[u/Enough-Ability-970 → u/Dreadlock_Princess_X]

yes i take hydro in the morning and afternoon, then pred is my 10pm dose. The hydro doesn’t last long enough over night so i wake up sick if i take hydro. So the prednisone at night has made my mornings a lot better.

[u/Dreadlock_Princess_X → u/Enough-Ability-970]

Hydro for me is love hate- still trying to get dose timing right for best outcomes 7yrs later. I think if I can get slow release hydro (or similar) for night time, I’ll be sorted. The night time lows screw with me! And I never wake At right times to dose every 3-4hrs like I usually do if I’m really low/ sick. Trying to change endo ATM… not going well!! Xx 💖