I was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, Sjogrens and Insterstitial Lung Disease last April, and started on hydroxychloroquine and 20mg prednisilone daily.
I began reducing the prednisilone dose in August, and since the beginning of December have been down to 7mg daily.
However, during the tapering period, I developed symptoms of severe fatigue, weakness and sleepiness, together with episodes of sweating/hot flushes, shaking and nausea. There is a distinct daily pattern, with the mornings least problematic, and the symptoms increasing as the day goes on. I am sometimes woken at night and my sleep is very poor.
I wondered if my symptoms are due to adrenal insufficiency induced by the prednisilone. However, I've had a TSH (2.84, range 0.30 - 4.40) and T3 (cant find the numbers for this, sorry) and free T4 (16.1, range 9.0 - 19.1) and cortisol (126 at 16.20hrs , expected levels 138-635 at 9am, <318 at midnight), which I am told were "normal" and in October, my rheumatologist said that these symptoms are not connected to either the auto-immune disorder or the steroids. He advised continuing the prednisilone taper.
The symptoms have not eased, and are now so debilitating that I am effectively housebound. I am at a loss as to what to do, but have a review with my rheumatologist next week.
Do these symptoms ring any bells with anyone here? Have you any advice for my forthcoming appointment?
Thanks
adrenal insufficiency and thyroids
Adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroid
Low cortisol/adrenal insufficiency
Low cortisol/adrenal insufficiency
