Adrenal fatigue?

[Gardening2811]

I thought I had a tummy bug but beginning to wonder if it adrenal fatigue.

I’m just drinking water since Monday except when I take meds. I’ve been trying to stay at 2 mgs Pred but took 3 Pred yesterday because of headache on right side.

I keep resting because of fatigue and get periods of feeling clammy and hot.

Should I increase my Prednisolone?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It’s not adrenal fatigue, it’s adrenal insufficiency. And although it may be tempting to increase Pred, it’s probably better if you don’t unless advised by doctor.

This explains why and what happens when you’ve been on Pred for long time - and if it is adrenals struggling the only way to nudge them into working again is slow taper, very st]mall steps in dose reduction, time and patience -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

However if this is first signs of adrenals struggling and you are this low, it may be something else going on, so probably a good idea to seek medical advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No such thing as adrenal fatigue - that is woo to sell you supplements and programmes and a load of things that make money for others and do nothing to help you. Never use that term to a doctor - they will probably ignore anything else!

It IS however, adrenal insufficiency, their output hasn't kept up with the change in dose. Did you drop straight from 3mg to 2mg? If so, I would go back to 2,5mg and see if that helps. It is better to stick to the new dose to poke at the adrenal glands to adjust their output but it very much depends how unwell you are and whether it starts to improve. They take time to adjust which is why we make such a thing about VERY slow tapering at this level.

[Gardening2811 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply.

[Rose8950 in reply to PMRpro]

So true ! Tiny steps every two weeks and I’m pain free and the fatigue is not as intense as last week.

[tangocharlie]

You are on a low enough dose of steroids to go to your GP and say you are concerned you might be having adrenal problems after being on long-term steroids. They can do a 9am cortisol bloid test and electrolyte test and refer you to an endocrinologist for more detailed tests such as synacthen if they think it is necessary. If it is adrenal insufficiency that can be dangerous so you need medical advice

[Gardening2811 in reply to tangocharlie]

Thank you for this tangocharlie. I have a telephone appointment next week with my GP so I may ask about the Cortisol blood test.

[SnazzyD]

It might be a bug but if you are still able to only take water and it is adrenal insufficiency I’d say you need medical advice.

[Sirtomas]

I am now permanently on daily prednisolone due to tests carried out in a major City hospital and have been given steroid sick day rules. If you Google this rules you will find all the information you need.I fought to get myself heard and now finally I can keep well and healthy after many years of feeling very unwell. Don't take NO for an answer, it's your body, it's worth fighting for..

Best wishes

Sirtomas

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sirtomas]

The information re SDR is in the FAQs on this forum.