I have been diagnosed with autoimmune/Sjogrens syndrome and interstitial lung disease for the last 7 months and been on daily prednisilone 20 or 15mg and hydroxychloroquine since then. But no adrenal/thyroid problems have been diagnosed.
I have never experienced anxiety before, but over the past few weeks, I seem prone to mini panic attacks.
Typically, what happens if that I have a passing anxiety-making thought (for instance, I remember that my elderly parent is starting chemo soon) then WHOOOSH! - an instant rush sweeps through my body, my heart races, and I feel flushed, sick and panicky.
What's especially frustrating is that I have no control over this process at all. It kicks in within milliseconds of that thought popping into my head. I can bring it under control quite quickly, but it is very unpleasant.
My guess is that it might be related to my adrenalin/cortisol metabolism being messed up by my prednisilone (15mg a day).
I'm wondering whether this seems plausible, and how far I use this as part of my argument to press my consultants to carry out full adrenal/cortisol/thyroid tests.
Or does this sound silly? Would I sound more convincing if I focus on other issues???
I'd be grateful for any thoughts/experiences.