A couple of years ago I was prescribed Prednisone for my rheumatoid arthritis, and I put on 70 lbs in about 6 months. I'm no longer taking that foul stuff, and am finally at a health level where I can get dressed in the morning so I started an exercise that I can do. I cannot run jog or even walk more than a block or so, and holding weights burns my hands, wrists and fingers to the point they aren't useable. I DID find that I can use a recumbent bike with little pain, so I bought one. I can do swimming exercises but its very difficult to get to the pool as I don't own a car, and we have no public transport here.
I started exercising 3 weeks ago, using the recumbent bike, burning 600-700 calories a day on it. I've cut out the little bit of pop I used to drink, drink gallons of water a day, I've never eaten fast food more than once every couple of months, I don't eat much for sugary food, eat a lot of fruit and vegies, not much red meat, no white bread. I've never liked salt. I'm trying to keep my calories around 1600 a day. I am pretty imobile the rest of the day, walking really hurts
I'm 29, 5'2" and 175 lbs as of this morning. When I started 3 weeks ago I weighed 170lbs. I've also put on an inch on my bust, waist, and hips. WHAT am I doing wrong? Does anyone have suggestions for exercises that I don't have to grab or hold anything, or put any pressure on my wrists?

I've heard muscle weighs more than fat, are you gaining muscle?

They say it is better to go by a tape measure than by the scale because as justcurious said muscle weighs more than fat.

So I could be putting on inches from muscle as well? Because my measurements have all gone up by an inch since I started.

Since you are doing everything you can with eating healthy and exercise. I am not really sure what more you can do. They say that you should not drink anything for about a half hour before or after you eat because it dilutes your digestive enzymes and the way food is processed it barely contains essential enzymes so maybe you could try not drinking anything before or after meals. Harmfulness Of Beverages - Harmful Drinking Practices

Drink lots of water (and some people swear by lemon or grapefruit*)
*grapefruit can interact badly with some medications.

Also you could try some digestive enzymes to see if that helps you any.
Douglas Labs

Well its common for the weight gain with this med... and you sound like you are eating OK, but are you eating more, which is common with this drug? That your portions were/are higher? Then again, you said you are keeping your calorie count down low, so I'm guessing portion control isn't the problem, though it commonly is with this medicine.

Being immobile the rest of the day hurts your metabolism and calorie burning. When you bike, how long do you do it? Any way to split it out over twice a day? You don't need weights to move and work your upper body. All the weight lifting excercises that can be done with barbells and dumbbells can be done without them. I'm quite active, excercising daily most of the time, and some of the cardio vids can really get your muscles working just by going through the motions of punches to the front, to the side, above your head, straight arm raised out, etc... do two sets of 8 of one movement, for ex biceps curl, and then do two sets of 8 of another, for ex raising your arms straightened, out to the side... and find a way to do this for 10 minutes, then 20, then 30... but given your condition, I would talk to my doctor about acceptable workouts. Just don't assume you can't get a good workout with no weights. You can.

I have a friend who put on weight over a couple of years. She just went through a "boot camp" style exercise program and barely lost any weight. Further tests showed a thyroid issue that is not being treated.

So... absolutely don't stop cycling unless it hurts you and/or your doctor doesn't clear you for that exercise... the bike is not putting fat on you. Yes, muscle weight gain can offset fat weight loss, but you really shouldn't be putting on a lot of weight.

It sounds like your body is getting stronger. You can dress yourself and now you are able to exercise. Given how immobile you are, and how tough it is to move, I think you need to be in contact with your physician.