Adrenal activity or flare

[DBE46]

Pain in shoulders more fatigued and general malaise. Wondered if this was a flare or stuttering adrenal gland activity. Present pred dose 7.5mg since 1st Aug. Lookily my annual bloods are due. A quick visit to GP and asked if my inflammatory markers could also be checked, no hesitation and he is adding my cortisol level to the request. My GP practise are very good at listening to the patient I do feel blessed. Love this site a God send x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds like a bit of both…shoulders could be flare, and malaise is certainly adrenal-like [but could be flare]. But the timing since reducing to 7.5mg would suggest a flare…

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[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd suspect a flare - very borderline for adrenals and a basal cortisol at present is likely to be very low as that is loads to suppress natural production of cortisol.

[SnazzyD]

I found around 7.5mg the hardest level because the Pred dose was beginning to be not enough for daily life (disease aside) but still a bit too high to trigger the adrenal glands to work. It took until 5mg for any significant glimmer for me, but I had to get out of this dose no man’s land. People do vary though.

Low adrenal function have me general (I stress general) flu-like aches, especially in the shoulders and fatigue which at times was debilitating. Getting up in the morning was an effort even after a good night and I’d be napping in the afternoon. When the adrenals are working you don’t have to think how you feel. I question the urgency of a cortisol test at this level as a low result wouldn’t be unexpected. It would be a case of, “low, yes, and?”.