Adrenals

[Harry8388]

Still having problems with digestion

Mood is very low and tired all the time

On 3.5 Prednisolone GP not interested at all

If this is Adrenals how long does it take to get back on track

[SheffieldJane]

It is rotten when you have a disengaged GP. Is there any choice of doctor at your practice? I have found enthusiasm and knowledge in some of the younger, newly qualified ones who do a stint in our practice.

A morning Cortisol test shouldn’t be too onerous for them to do in the surgery.

Your GI issues should be investigated, they could be a separate condition. Once you get to the organ grinder, they take you very seriously indeed.

Do you have a friend or relative who could go with you to the GP? It encourages some of them to bring out their best game and I know from personal experience that you can’t be bothered with any of this. Come on, one last push. 🙂

[SnazzyD]

If it is adrenals it can take months to recover; it took me the best part of a year to feel like I was coming out the other side if I was careful. At times I thought I was never going to feel alive again but it did come good in the end. In order to survive I reduced by 0.5mg over anything from 6-14 weeks with the slower stints being under 5mg. It is just a case of slowing it right down to at least make life liveable albeit at a boring pace. Go too fast and you risk potentially drastic adrenal insufficiency and your debility having an adverse effect on your health. You have to avoid eyeing up that golden zero in the hope that the misery will end at that point. 3.5mg is sooo close but see it as a 100 steps not 3.5. Your average as far as I can make out if 0.75mg per month which may have been fine at first but each time your decrease is a bigger % of the dose you’ve just been on. At what point did you hit ‘the wall’?

However, your intestinal issues have gone on long enough that it is not unreasonable to go to the GP. Although it is a classic sign of adrenal insufficiency, it can be other things, your fatigue too. If that GP finds adrenal function too much like voodoo, then they should listen to a change in bowel habit over a few months.

[Hollandia]

My stomach has been playing up since taking the Prednisone with constant nausea and heartburn symptoms. When I told the dr that I had a stomach ulcer several years ago I was told to take two Omeprazole per day. Which in my case doesn’t help but you could try it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollandia]

Did you notice the post is over a year old? Just in case you don't get a reply ...

If you already have a history of gastric problems your GP needs to take more interest and possibly even refer you to a GI specialist. Have they put you on any other medication? Especially a bisphosphoante like alendronic acid?

[Hollandia in reply to PMRpro]

No I didn’t notice about the date. I’m new to the site and am still learning!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollandia]

Don't worry - it even happens to longstanding members!!

But - Hi and welcome!!