How do you know if you have adrenal insufficiency? - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,337 members38,108 posts

How do you know if you have adrenal insufficiency?

Bonsaigirl profile image
19 Replies

I have PMR since December 2021, started on 30mg now down to 12 reducing 1mg every two weeks. I have felt very tired for some weeks now and still can only manage about 2000 steps a day.

My legs are getting better but very slowly. Wondering about adrenal insufficiency. Some advice would be welcome.

Written by
Bonsaigirl profile image
Bonsaigirl
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
19 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Have a look at this link - explains about adrenals and being on steroids -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

But have to say it’s unlikely to be A/I at 12mg [could be, but unlikely] - more likely to be your illness or side effects of Pred. So maybe slow down your taper - at every 2 weeks you are likely to dip below the dose you actually need without realising it before you step down again. Better to be at each dose for 4 weeks…

Bonsaigirl profile image
Bonsaigirl in reply to DorsetLady

Thank you for this it has been very helpful.

It’s funny really as the tiredness is mostly in the mornings after breakfast, when I go for a walk in the afternoons (2000 steps) I always feel better, maybe the trees and the lake help and the cappuccino!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Bonsaigirl

Could well be! I find mornings awful - takes me until lunchtime to get going! The cleaner changed her times today because she has a hospital appointment - arrived at 9am! I was out of bed ...

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bonsaigirl

all help -and the Pred is well and truly in your system…

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840 in reply to DorsetLady

I am the opposite PRO. first thing in the morning I have ENERGY (who remembers that stuff?) then the fatigues descends around mid morning. I have learnt to do what I must do first thing. This just shows how different we all are..........

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Louisa1840

Perhaps the fatigue descends mid-morning because you wore yourself out too soon? ;)

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840 in reply to PMRpro

Could be Pro? I have a Saturday morning ritual of breakfast -in-bed affectionately know as "Brat Brek". You would think on these days I would feel energised by the time I do get up? I allow myself a lengthy read which extends the delight.......I often feel more fatigued though. I draw no conclusions and with Manuel declare that "I know nothing".....

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Louisa1840

I usually stagger out of bed about 9am. This morning I woke at 4am and didn't really get back to sleep so gave up and read. I had my first cup of tea early and eventually got up at 8,30am. I did have a session at the Pain Clinic yesterday and do have a lot to do today - procrastination biting! But I also feel better, Maybe I need to try it more often!

arvine profile image
arvine in reply to PMRpro

I finally am getting referral to pain clinic, hopefully they will be able to help with all my back issues, can I ask what your symptons are PMRpro, and what treatment you are getting that helps you , thank you

Bonsaigirl profile image
Bonsaigirl in reply to arvine

my PMR is in my legs so symptoms are stiff and painful legs which has affected my mobility drastically. Yesterday I walked 2600 steps which is good for me.

I also get tired and have put on weight including the dreaded moon face. I am trying to lose a bit through diet although giving up a glass of wine in the evening is hard. I am now on 12 mg of pred going down to 11 next week and just about managing. Trying to keep upbeat and carry on. I would love to know how you get on at the pain clinic, this is something I have not been offered hope it is helpful.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to arvine

I've been having a series of injections, a technique called wet needling or sometimes neural therapy. It involves subcutaneous injections of (usually) lignocaine, sometimes steroids at what are called trigger points all over my back, there may be as many as a dozen or more injections during a session. Each burns while the injection is being given. But the theory is it encourages the muscles underneath to heal themselves. It was developed in the 1920s originally in Germany and refined much later - sounds awful but very few people who try it refuse to have it again because it works well. Outside central EUrope it is regarded as an alternative therapy.

practicalpainmanagement.com...

English-speaking doctors often pooh-pooh it, partly perhaps because dodgy practitioners claim it can cure things it can't, like cancer. But for muscle problems it is a tried and tested technique taught to the anaethesiologists who run the pain clinics here in northern Italy and here and in Germany even GPs offer it. Rheumatologists also use it and I have 3 different doctors who will do it.

There are clinics in the USA who offer it- not sure about Canada

My symptoms are back pain, mainly muscular and at the attachments of the muscles and tendons.

arvine profile image
arvine in reply to PMRpro

well thank you, Im sure my muscles are compromised too, with having the issues, spinal stenosis, bulging disk, osteo, and degenerative, Im hoping they can determine a treatment to give me some relief, and allow me to do some activity, like walking etc, right now, everything seizes up and pains after 10-15 min, and i have to sit down for 5 or 10 min, takes me long time to do cooking, cleaning etc, so very frustrating, depressing,

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to arvine

I have a cleaner for an hour a week, she vacuums which I absolutely can't do and does one other thing week by week, works fine and doesn't cost a fortune. Luckily I've never been houseproud ...

arvine profile image
arvine in reply to PMRpro

well that,s good, comes a time when we need some help for sure, I don,t go crazy, on my own, and only have to look after my one bedroom senior apt, so do what I can, even it takes couple days, lot slower now than was , even a year ago,

Louisa1840 profile image
Louisa1840 in reply to PMRpro

Heavens Pro - you don't procrastinate do you?

nuigini profile image
nuigini in reply to Louisa1840

I'm the same Louisa.

piglette profile image
piglette

You should not be affected by any adrenal problems until you get down to 7mg of steroids. The steroids are keeping them happy for the moment. You may find they happily wake up when the time comes.

Bonsaigirl profile image
Bonsaigirl in reply to piglette

oh thank you that is a relief but if time to go yet

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Bonsaigirl

Good luck and hope you have well behaved adrenals!

You may also like...

How do you know if your adrenals kick in or not?

to them). Am anxious about what I should expect, when I should expect Adrenals to start kicking in....

How much adrenal insufficiency should be tolerated?

I have now been on 4mg for 2 weeks, with increased fatigue. This morning, in addition to a very...

How do you know when your adrenal glands are producing enough cortisol again?

I am currently reducing to 10mg ... over the next few weeks. My Dr is keen for me to get below 10mg

Adrenal insufficiency

that adrenals kick back in below 5 mg a day so this is all very worrying as I have been reducing...

Adrenal insufficiency

Addison's disease. I had to stop taking prednisone about two years ago because of osteoporosis. I...