Side effects.of low adrenaline

[RachelJDH]

Would you mind sending links to any information re side effects of lia adrenaline when reducing prednisolone. Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think you may be confused - it isn't low ADRENALINE but low ADRENAL FUNCTION or adrenal insufficiency.

Now you have posted, a lot of Related Posts are listed which may include what you are looking for. You will also find a lot of information under Adrenal function in the FAQs which are linked at the top of every thread.

This

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl....

has a good listing of presenting features under "Presentation of adrenal insufficiency" which comes immediately after the Introduction. Some of the effects relate to primary adrenal insufficiency and not to the form we develop after a long time on steroids and then reducing the dose.

[RachelJDH in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I feel confused. Xx

[SnazzyD in reply to RachelJDH]

Adrenal glands do also produce adrenaline but the problem is not that part but the bit that produces cortisol, our natural corticosteroid. It is that that is in short supply and giving you symptoms. If you read the FAQ info, it’ll explain why.

[RachelJDH in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for your information. I am just struggling at the moment. My synacthen test showed i had adrenaline insufficiency and they gave me an emergency adrenaline injection to hold in case of a missed dose of Pred. The good news is that my Rheumatologist said he thought I no longer had polymyalgia ( i suspect he is right) but I did have osteoarthritis and needed new hips and a knee and he gave me a steroid injection into my shoulder joint which has made a huge difference to sleeping. Anyway for the first time I have been able to reduce pred dosage below 10mg but I am v tired and suffering lots of digestion probs. So far tests are negative but I suspect I get dehydrated so have to take some rehydration salts to stay upright. I am just trying to run through all possible causes. Grateful for the support from you all.

[SnazzyD in reply to RachelJDH]

The Synacthen test, tests for cortisol not adrenaline. They take your blood to check the early morning level of cortisol. Then they give you a dose of artificial hormone that mimics that which comes from the pituitary gland in the brain that shouts to the adrenal glands to work. This should cause the adrenal glands to put in a big effort to produce cortisol as ordered. Your blood cortisol level is checked again. If it still shows a low level of cortisol they say you have insufficiency. It means that if you happen to miss your Pred dose and feel ill you need a rescue dose of a steroid in the injection.

However, how worrying this is for the future of your adrenal glands depends on what dose of Pred you are on when you tested. Getting a low test when you are on say, 8mg is less worrying than it is when you are say 2mg.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RachelJDH]

No - it didn't show adrenalINE insufficiency but ADRENAL insufficiency - it is easy to confuse because they sound the same when spoken. It is all explained in the links we suggested and once you are less confused having read the prepared info in the FAQs you will be able to ask more specific questions.

The fatigue and GI problems are common when you are not getting enough corticosteroid into your system and just because you drop the dose of pred doesn't mean the adrenal glands immediately produce more cortisol as a top-up. It can take weeks to readjust.

But if you are still on a dose of pred above 5mg, then the synacthen test doesn't show the true picture - the CORTISOL level is low because you are taking pred and that suppresses the production of more corticosteroid in the form of cortisol by your body. The only thing that will increase the cortisol level is a lower dose of pred and time. There is nothing that will change that, no pills, no supplements. Just less pred and time.

And if you are still on any pred there is no way at all the rheumy can tell you no longer have active PMR. Even 1mg pred can be plenty to mop up inflammation being produced by the autoimmune disorder that causes PMR and prevent it building up far enough to cause symptoms.

[RachelJDH in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, that is helpful. I do get a bit confused with adrenal and adrenaline. I do wonder if I will be my old energetic self again. I suspect not as the years go by. Xx oh my younger daughter and granddaughter had a lovely ski on Alpi Suissi last week.

The perfect place for a hot chocolate..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RachelJDH]

They chose a fairly good week for Seiseralm! Someone looks to be enjoying that hot chocolate!! It is utterly disgusting today - what I call snizzle, fine snow that isn't even really enough to register for a couple of hours! Unfortunately it was very warm on Friday so the lying snow turned to slush down here and then it froze hard overnight - the village mayor is boasting about the small icehockey rink but there are bits of pavement that could serve the same purpose but now ther is a bit of snow hiding them!

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

You make sure you don’t slip on those pesky pavements then PRO,don’t want to end up eating hospital food over Xmas do you!🎁🤶🎄🦃🤕🤕😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

Oh I don't know - our hospital food is excellent, prepared onsite and a choice of anything from 3 different but overlapping menues. I'm listed as gluten-free (to avoid wheat) so the choice is wider. I often get fed better there than at home - just the glass of wine missing!!

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Same as our hospital,choice of shepherds pie,shepherds pie,shepherds pie,or salad!Only joking but pretty poor all the same!x🎄🤶🎁😜

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angelsmummy]

No - really do have a choice from 3 menues, proper home made Italian/local style food nad special dietary needs are also catered for. I have had worse food in local restaurants - and there aren't any bad ones.

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Lucky you,but would rather stay away from hospitals if at all possible,good food or not!Enjoy your sausage and ice cream Xmas day,shall think of you when Inam tucking into my prawn curry( unless I change my mind and plump for prawn salad instead!xx🤶🎄🦃🎁😂😜

[RachelJDH in reply to Angelsmummy]

🤣

[RachelJDH in reply to Angelsmummy]

You are so right. To be honest I don't ski (too scared). I'm more if an off piste person. 😀

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RachelJDH]

It's the off-piste that is more dangerous than being on skis at present - sheet ice on pavements ...

[Angelsmummy in reply to RachelJDH]

Good,just don’t get too off piste “ at Xmas eh?xxx🎁🎄🦃🤶😜

[Angelsmummy in reply to RachelJDH]

Beautiful picture,what a sweetie she looks!xx🎄🤶🎁😜

[RachelJDH in reply to Angelsmummy]

Thank you. Grandchildren are such a joy. I always think that as a grandparent you have more time to appreciate the miracle. I have 3 Grandchildren and they are darlings. I feel very lucky.

[Angelsmummy in reply to RachelJDH]

They certainly are,my great grandson is the light of my life,gives my life meaning.Cannot wait to see him this weekend.,xxx🎁🎄🤶🦃😜

[RachelJDH in reply to Angelsmummy]

I agree. Have a lovely time. Xx

[RachelJDH in reply to PMRpro]

I have had a good read. And generally scared myself. To be honest I am trying to see if my gastric problems of the last 2-3 months are are linked to pred reducing. I have done tests with docs but nothing so far. I am always cautious having had colon cancer and IBS after radiotherapy, but this doesn't feel like cancer, but what I eat is whisking through my system and often seems unchanged by my digestion. I did wonder if I was a bit gluten intolerant. Gluten free bread is so disgusting. I suspect it will be a return to the docs after Christmas. As always we are grateful for your informed advice.

[RachelJDH]

They were very lucky and had a wonderful time. X

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

PMRpro and SnazzyD have replied, but have you looked at FAQs - plus as loads of related posts

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...