adrenal fatigue and weaning off support

Sorry if this question has already been asked and answered! I have been on Medrol for the past three and a half years, and would like to get off it. As far as I know, both Medrol, Prednisone and HC suppress your own adrenals even further.

The reason I was put on Medrol, rather than HC, was that I tended to retain fluid, and my doctor said that HC will make that problem even worse. Of course, when I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, I was seriously hypothyroid after being on thyroxine for 10 years, so that could also be the reason for fluid retention.

Has anyone successfully weaned of prescription adrenal support? If so, have you replaced it with an OTC product, like adrenal cortex or extract? Many claim that adrenal cortex is better than extract, as the latter also contains adrenaline.

It's all very confusing. Adrenal fatigue (which was the diagnosis I got in late 2011) is not the same thing as adrenal insufficiency. The idea, as far as I know, is that you replace the missing cortisol for a limited period of time, thus allowing your adrenal glands to rest and recuperate. After three and a half years, that must be the case, right...?

[greygoose]

I Don't know anything about Medrol or Prednisone, but I have been on and off HC for years. Just weaning off it at the moment. And, no, I Don't intend to replace it with an OTC product. Just make sure I get plenty of salt and vit C, and as little stress as possible!

It's true that HC makes you retain water - it still does me, even though I'm now pretty well medicated. So, when I start to swell, I know it's time to wean off. But it could also be that I'm not getting enough salt.

I wouldn't say that HC necessarily suppresses your adrenals, it dépends how you take it. The trick is to just take it at the busiest time for the adrenals - in the morning - but never after 1.0 pm. If you take it all day, you're going to shut your adrenals down for sure.