Saliva cortisol test whilst on prednisolone.

[Everdean]

I have been on Prednisolone for many years and with my rheumatologist's advice I am

now trying to come off them. However after reducing from 10 mg to 5, I am struggling to get any lower. I would like to pay to have a cortisol saliva test to see hat state my adrenals are in, but wondering if it would be any use if I can't come off the steroids to do it. Any advice please?

Thank you.

[merlin1967]

no where do you live i live in uk or if you live out of uk the only person who can say to stay on or stay off steroid medication is a qualified encrinologist to check your steroid level this is via a blood test at gp or rumatologist i has 3 steroid injections around 2012 and 2014 which caused my adrenal glands to fail this is deadly if your levels are low it can kill you with no steroid i was in bed and a wheelchair 3 years as my adrenal glands were dead at no time was i told your adrenal glands can be damaged my family also have what they all call adrenal isufficencey or addisons if its primary gp blood test no steroids for 1 night and day if tablet form it has to be done early 8am up to 830am is best time i went private blood tests its a complext test x

[Everdean in reply to merlin1967]

THANKYOU for your reply merlin1967.I am sorry to hear of yours and your family situation. I have had the test done at my local surgery by a nurse and she didn't consider the importance of timing therefore kept me waiting until well after 9am. I knew it wouldn't be accurate. Therefore I would rather pay for my own saliva test which I had several years ago.