switch to hydrocortisone

[AnniesRyder5]

I’ve been to see the endocrinologist today on the recommendation of the rheumatologist.

I had a borderline synacthan test , on the basis of which today he has suggested I switch to 5mg of hydrocortisone twice daily from 4 mg of prednisolone.

In the background to this I have also been prescribed low dose beta blockers for angina ? prior to another referral and I’m apparently pre diabetic for which I am down for some reeducation. Yet even the endocrinologist commented that my level is such that “it’s probably just me”.

Other blood tests came back abnormal but not serious apparently.

Then to cap it all I tried to get a private prescription for rosacea around my mouth but the on-line doctor reckons its angular cheleitis.

I’m at a loss to explain why I’m suddenly diagnosed with these various annoyances, which I can only put down to my getting old, @ 75 !

Happy new year😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hmm - it is all very well switching to 2x5mg hydrocortisone if the problem is ONLY the adrenals being a bit dopey. But if you still need the 4mg for the PMR- hydrocortisone doesn't do much of a job. At 4mg pred, your synacthen test is likely to still be pretty damped.

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to PMRpro]

Dear PMR Pro

Thanks for the advice - I suppose it’s a case of suck it and see.

[piglette]

You can get a copy of your blood tests on line or just ask your GPs’ surgery for a copy. I keep copies of everything as at least I know what is going on.

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to piglette]

I can see the blood test results on my record but to be honest there’s so many of them I can’t decipher them easily

[piglette in reply to AnniesRyder5]

Mine is by type of blood test and it does a graph.

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to piglette]

I wish mine were in a similar format

[piglette in reply to AnniesRyder5]

Mine lists all the different tests I have had and the latest date, then I click on the one I am interested in and it gives me the data.

[SnazzyD]

At 4mg my Synacthen wasn’t very special. The Endo just said keep reducing slowly to keep challenging them and sure enough it came good eventually.

If your PMR is still active you might find hydrocortisone just isn’t potent enough.

[Carrollee]

Hi. When I was switched to HC from 4mg pred I was given 10mg morn, 5mg at lunch and 5mg around 6 o’clock to equal the pred. So it looks like you are only on the equivalent of 2mg pred 🤷🏼‍♀️.

[AnniesRyder5 in reply to Carrollee]

Actually I haven’t received the prescription yet but I think it will be 10 mg daily