ANYONE HAD ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY/CRISIS?

[larsonsmum]

I had tapered Prednisolone slowly and successfully, and stopped steroids on 14/01. The same day I had 2 steroid injections in shoulders, and tol my GP I had stopped steroids that day. I became very ill about 10/12 days later and a Cortisol Test I had very fortunately pre-arranged at GP surgery came back with an alarmingly low level of 101, just one above being admitted to hospital for Adrenal Crisis. My Adrenal Insufficiency Nurse says the injections suppressed adrenal glands and GP should have known this would happen. Had I not had these the adrenal glands might have coped fine with the cessation of steroids. After urgent discussion with the Endocrinology Consultant she has had me go back on Prednisolone at 2.5mgs a day from Saturday. I was almost 'out of it' Friday/Saturday, basically not functioning at all well, am a bit better, but still extremely weak/fatigued, light-headed etc, etc,. She will be giving me a call today or tomorrow and at the end of the week too. However, I am wonder if anything similar has happened to anyone else courtesy of injections/stopping Pred on same day? Or has anyone gone into Adrenal Insufficiency/Crisis when they stopped Steroids? Thanks

[Telian]

Your GP ought to have known better. Thank goodness you were under Endocrinology. I’ve gone through insufficiency not had a crisis. It’s so scary. I’m heading for it second time around and not looking forward to

It. Do you have the kit to inject yourself should you need it?

I had a zoom session with my

Rheumier last night on the very subject.

[larsonsmum in reply to Telian]

Thanks for your reply. I am in the UK and on Prednislone, so do carry them with me at all times. My Adrenal Insufficiency Nurse had planned to transfer me to Hydrocortisone, to do the other test, but this all happened in the meantime. However, my Rheumatologist differs in opinion about swapping Prednisolne to Hydrocortisone! I think all would have been well if it hadn't been for the injections, as had tapered down really well, and have no PMR symptoms - still don't. Just seems to be extreme Adrenal Insufficiency symptoms. Why do you think you will face this again? - Tapering? I know to expect some degree of Adrenal issues for maybe even up to a year, but I do believe the injections really caused the crisis. Hope you have an easier time, and are less affected.

[Telian in reply to larsonsmum]

Yes tapering down again when already been to 3mg and experienced insufficiency. I recognise some of the symptoms I had last time but am still on 8mg Prednisolone - so in effect too

early. My Rheumie wants me to not reduce any more at the moment and let my body settle. She’s thinking of introducing Leflunomide. I’m hoping I can get through it the same as last time with a very slow taper. That my preferred option.

I tend to agree with you that the injections you had are the cause of your latest problems.

[powerwalk]

You have just described my last few days after my back injections. It literally thought yesterday that i'd had some kind of stroke. Ive done a couple of posts about how bad ive been after these injections in recent times. (I did get them years ago and always had issues, but lately its just been horrendous). Turns out i have been told i basically have no adrenal function which probably explains a lot of it, but i had asked the Endo consultant was it ok to get my injections and he said to double my pred dose to 10mg for couple of says, well it did not help at all. I do not think i can do them again, its been hell. Its only reading your issues that i realise its the adrenal issue, my body is just not able for this anymore. I hope you feel better soon.

[piglette]

You can tell him from me, what an idiot!

[tangocharlie]

Yes I have had problems twice, once when trying to go below 5mg and come off steroids 3 years ago and the second time last year when I was on steroid injections but the stupid rheumy would only let me have them every 3 months, so as they wore off after about 6 weeks that caused problems. I have written posts on here about my dreadful experiences. I'm glad you got sorted OK.