Adrenal glands working? : Hi After two and m a... - PMRGCAuk

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Adrenal glands working?

Harbel profile image
14 Replies

Hi

After two and m a half years I'm just 9 days down to 2.5mg prednisolone. I usually know by day 12, whether I have got away with the reduction.

I'm wondering though if I am able to maintain 2.5 with similar energy levels, does that mean that the adrenal glands are working?

Thought somebody may have experience.

Of course I can wait until a further reduction to find out.

Happy Christmas to all, and thank you for just being there.

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Harbel profile image
Harbel
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14 Replies
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Possibly - but one lady felt fine at 2mg but her doctor was one who believed in doing a synacthen test: her adrenal function was zero! Experts have said that 2mg oral pred can be plenty for day to day functioning but there are no reserves in the event of an emergency which can be anything from an infection to an accident. The only way you can know is by having a synacthen test once you reach 3mg to see if the adrenal glands are CAPABLE of producing cortisol. However, that doesn't mean they are because the control system is very complex and any one componenet failing means it all fails.

Harbel profile image
Harbel in reply to PMRpro

Thank you so much, you are a true pro.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

I'm wondering though if I am able to maintain 2.5 with similar energy levels, does that mean that the adrenal glands are working?

Probably, but you should remember that they may not be back to 100% until some time after you’ve achieved zero.....some say up to a year.

So just continue reducing slowly and steadily provided you get no return of symptoms....and fingers crossed.

Harbel profile image
Harbel in reply to DorsetLady

Thanks a lot Dorset Lady, will do as you advise

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

Well done! Can't tell you how envious the rest of us feel who have had PMR for longer (me 3 and a half years and still on 8 mgs) but REALLY glad to hear about someone doing so well!! It gives us all hope. Merry Christmas let's be grateful for the small mercies!!

Harbel profile image
Harbel in reply to Louisa1840

Yes, I know I'm blessed, especially when I consider that I needed 25mg to keep it under control Sept/October/ November 2018. Not only that but I have lost about two stone over the period since the pred threw me into the diabetic range and so I cut out all sugar and all processed foods, and now back in the normal range. I wish you all a peaceful and happy Christmas.

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

Even more jealous now .....I have gained 15 kilos. Hate being fat but again wrll done you!

Harbel profile image
Harbel in reply to Louisa1840

I'm sorry about that jealous bit but you know that if you know anyone really well you are never jealous of them and there is nobody you would prefer to be.I have found sugary the real enemy, any of it at all makes me ravenous since pred.

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840

YES! It's sugar that gets me & once I start I can't stop!

HappyDiamonds profile image
HappyDiamonds in reply to Louisa1840

Glad its not just me!😀

springeramber profile image
springeramber

Hi Harbel

springeramber profile image
springeramber

Hi HarbelI have been on prednisolone for 2 years and have just reduced to 7mg - I have been reducing from 10mg by 1mg every 4 weeks but have been on methotrexate for 14 weeks with no ill effects. I supposedly have GCA but have had no headaches (apart from one blip) since I was put on 40mg of prednisone - apart from slight jaw ache I have no other symptoms, the biopsy was negative and my progress has been influenced by the ESR number which kept fluctuating (now in the 30's was 90)

Since I have been on methotrexate the rheumatologist is ignoring the ESR?? Touch wood the reduction seems to be working . Problem is I am very anemic as I mentioned in a previous post so not sure if feeling tired and struggling to walk is due to that or the GCA? Had an interesting experience recently, was hospitalised with a virus (picked up from 1 year old granddaughter) and had to double the prednisolone because the body had got used to not making enough (I think that was the explanation) - I got a fright though and realised why we are all shielding - I am being extra extra careful now - roll on the vaccine. Not got as far as worrying about my adrenals so this waffle has probably not been of much help!

Harbel profile image
Harbel in reply to springeramber

Thanks springerambler. In my case when I was suffering and before being diagnosed I was searching for some answer and they identified that I have pernicious anemia, another autoimmune disease. Anyway I hope you have had vitamin B12 checked. My energy went way up after treatment and I know when I need more as I notice my balance deteriorating before and better after my 10 week self administered injection.

springeramber profile image
springeramber in reply to Harbel

I queried B12 deficiency but was told that it and the folic acid were fine and I was just iron deficient - I had the nasty up and down tubes !! which did not show up anything - I am going to start making noises once the present situation has settled down -I am on 630g of ferrous fumarate a day and still below normal, my balance is dreadful.

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