Steriod reduction/vertigo/adrenals?

[Sungolfer]

Good morning everyone. Looking for advice please. I have been doing a slow taper from 6mg to 5mg and this is the first week i have completed on 5 mg and all has been well apart from slight bowel irregularities - but thats pretty normal for me. This morning however I awoke with a slightly spinny head which has not gone away - so light headed and dizzy with slight nausea. I have occasionally suffered with vertigo so it could be that - but also could it be my adrenals complaining. I guess i will have to wait to see if it clears up with the anti-sickness type pill or not. But would welcome any comments if anyone has had similar feelings at this sort of level of pred. Was going to start the next slow taper by 0.5 but may wait a few days. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Would plump for adrenals… and maybe stay put for now to give them a change to ‘catch up’. Stick at 5.5mg for few weeks, rather than straight into next taper.

In future would also agree reduce by only 0.5mg a time, they need nudging into life, and no-one really knows how long that will take… it’s variable - like much in life.

[SnazzyD]

If you have been ok on your dose and haven’t had a very recent bout of mental or physical stress (good as well as bad) or illness I wouldn’t instantly blame low cortisol just yet. In either case you need to take it easy as you know. Have you tried the Epley Manoeuvre yet? What pill do you use for vertigo? You might have a virus too of course.

[Sungolfer in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi and thank you - you may well be right so hoping it will pass. Buccastem tabs. Had a lie down for an hour and seems a little better. Tbh I’ve been fine I think re PMR - but have had a busy and slightly stressful 5 days and been slightly aware of head not being quite right. Bit vague I know but we do know when something is a little off without actually being able to identify it!! If that makes any sense at all! Haven’t tried epley manoeuvre this time- had it done by physio before. Thanks again!

[Pixix in reply to Sungolfer]

It’s not French recommended to do theEpley on your own, I’ve read. I don’t know why. My Dr recommended doing the Brandt Daroff manoeuvre as it works just as well, but doesn’t need to be done with a person helping. I’ve tried both, & was too sick to continue each time. I had the symptoms you describe when I reduced to 4 from 5 (slowly). It was different from my normal vertigo attacks, though. When I have vertigo, i need to lie down & not move. If I turn over in bed I will be sick. When I have adrenal issues I feel nauseous but I don’t vomit, I am capable of getting up, but have other symptoms as well. Not sure this helps, sorry, brain fog is bad today! S x

[Sungolfer in reply to Pixix]

Hi and thank you. I do feel much better today and yes when i do get vertigo like you i have to crawl without moving my head to go to the bathroom and yes turning in bed makes me sick. So hopefully its a good sign that my adrenals are trying to work!!! hope your brain fog clears!! thank you again

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sungolfer]

It isn't that the adrenals are trying to work - it is because they aren't working enough and your corticosteroid level is low.

[piglette]

I had that problem caused by adrenals. It may be a good idea to reduce your reductions to 0.5mg now you are at such a low level. As 1mg is now quite a large percentage drop.

[Sungolfer in reply to piglette]

Thank you Piglette - yes think that’s the way forward -

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Happens to me at 6mg and worse at 5mg. Especially with a busier day or a stressful event. But the PMR demands 7mg or I develop bicep pain that stops me doing anything with my hands so that's fine!

Slowly, slowly - no hurry!

[Sungolfer in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you! Will slow it down and stay where I am for a couple of weeks then only .5 reduction 1 day a week. My biceps are ok 2 weeks ago they felt a little achy. Can still play golf thank goodness- thank you again.

[LindyMc]

When I had vertigo, I went on 111 and was told by the triage nurse to call up my surgery and demand to be seen in the next 2 hours or go to an A&E - was fortunate to get a dispensing nurse inside the 2 hours at the surgery. Apparently they need to check blood pressure asap as it can be a first sign of something more serious. Never got round to asking what. Mine was ok and I received medication which after a rest stopped the room turning!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LindyMc]

Stroke! But often not recognised.

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