adrenals struggling and diarrhoea

[Koalajane]

hi, I am down to 3.5mg of prednisolone and struggling with some stomach issues and fatigue.

last night I had awful stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhoea that lasted all night and into today and felt quite weak.

I am wondering what people take to help with this.

Thank you for any help

[Kendrew]

Hi Koalajane,

Weirdly, I'm also experiencing similar symptoms... actual diarrhoea twice in last 8wks for no obvious reason (been tested for c.dificile, salmonella, campylobacter, etc...all negative) I've had a CT scan...all normal, but still experiencing constant lower abdominal discomfort/pain that can vary in intensity both on a daily and sometimes, hourly basis.

I get waves of nausea too from time to time and every so often the other symptoms worsen. When this occurs, my lower gut feels 'churny' and 'upset' with loss of appetite and increased pain, discomfort & fatigue.

I also would be interested to hear others thoughts! I'm currently on 2mgs of pred, and my symptoms began to emerge round about the 2½mg dose.

[PMROSE in reply to Kendrew]

I have been tapering 1mg every 4 weeks currently at 5mg. I have been experiencing on and off bouts of gurgling tummy and feeling a tad nauseous. I'm wondering if this last decrease is the culprit. I am also utterly exhausted. Pain is still being managed with very slight twinge in shoulder not causing any issues but wonder if it will start to progress at this level.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMROSE]

Would suggest you slow down your tapering….1mg per month might be okay for some, but to be honest not many at lower doses. 0.5mg a time [uncoated tablets can be cut] and every 6-8 weeks and maybe a slower taper plan rather than an ‘overnight’ drop. All help to nudge the adrenals into working again… plus sounds as if you are getting very close to dose not being sufficient.

[Koalajane in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, I am tapering by .25mg now!

[Koalajane in reply to Kendrew]

I felt weak and tired all day yesterday, mind you I think I spent most of the previous night on the loo. Today I feel a bit better but I can cope with nausea and weakness, it was the stomach cramps and diarrhoea that were awful. I resorted to Imodium! I just wondered if anyone else takes anything else that works.

[Bcol in reply to Koalajane]

My OH's doc doesn't like Imodium, she thinks Buscopan is far better and it works well for her.

[Koalajane in reply to Bcol]

Thanks, I wondered about that

[Koalajane in reply to Kendrew]

I think it is maybe something we have to learn to live with until the adrenals recover. I just wondered what would be best as I seem to have spent most of the night sat on the loo!

[Kendrew in reply to Koalajane]

My diarrhoea only lasted 3hrs so I didn't actually need to take anything like immodium, but I've constantly got a 'churned up' feeling that varies in intensity. It's not very nice. I find that just simple bland food helps a bit....toast made from white bread, mashed potato, rich tea biscuits, stewed apple, white rice and pasta,etc.

I hope things settle down for you soon.

[Koalajane in reply to Kendrew]

It has settled down now but still feeling a bit yukky and fatigued.

Yes I had bland food last night and will tonight. Unfortunately a lot of what you say I don’t eat as it is not good for type 2 diabetes. Although I have been in remission for over 6 years I have to eat carefully to keep it that way!

[Kendrew in reply to Koalajane]

Sorry....I'd not picked that up regarding the diabetes!It's so hard to balance everything. I'd normally eat very low carb to help prevent weight gain & developing diabetes but I also have high cholesterol so low saturated fat diet....but low carb often means substiting for some high sat foods like bacon, cheese, etc. Hard to get it right all the time!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Kendrew]

Getting it right some of the time would be nice 🤨

[S4ndy]

Hi are you on Omeprazole or any other ppi to protect your tummy. This can cause issues with your digestive system. If you are then talk to your GP about changing to something else.

As a long term sufferer of both PMR and IBS-D I find that if I get a bout of IBS I need to eat very plain carb laden small meals for a few days. I find that 'full fat' cola helps settle my stomach down although normally I wouldn't consider this. As for medication I take Buscopan for the stomach cramps and paracetamol to help with pain.

I have heard that COVID can also present with stomach issues but there are, of course, many bugs that are in the general populous too.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Koalajane in reply to S4ndy]

Hi and thanks.

No, not on a PPI and wouldn’t think it is Covid as I feel a lot better today. I took Imodium the night of the struggle with diarrhoea. I am sure it is to do with adrenals as it was just like it about 6 weeks ago s I finished my taper 4 to 3,75, and now just had to slow down my taper 3.75 to 3.5.

So I may get some Buscopan to see if that helps with the cramps.

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

For all of you - if you think it may be adrenal-related (and it could well be) slow down your tapering even further. Maybe even stay where you are for a couple of months and let your body have a chance to catch up

[Koalajane]

thanks, that is what I am doing

[BabyRuby1]

yep…I had both…I got down to 3 mg and was so tired and depressed…when I finally got completely off prednisone, I was still tired for about 3 months after and still had a little pain..but now it’s been 5 months…no more PMR pain at all…a little arthritis in shoulder and some sciatica but that’s cause I’m 73…I never thought I’d feel normal again but 5 months later I feel energetic after getting prednisone out of my body..it gets depressing but things will turn around. Be positive and eat healthy…my daily protein drinks with veggies and fruit helped 90%…