Adrenal insufficiency

[LJ69]

Hi everyone, is there a way to get off hydrocortisal meds naturally? I was diagnosed 3yrs ago and have been lowering my dose to 10mg 1x a day but can't seem to go completely off. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Linda

[Hidden]

Have you been diagnosed by Endocrinologist as having adrenal insufficiency, was it primary or secondary? 10 mgs once a day is a very low dose. Hydrocortisone only lasts in the body for between 4-6 hours so you are going a long time without any in your body. Have you had a Synacthen test to see if you are producing cortisol? This will determine what your cortisol levels are. As you have reduced down to such a low dose it does look as though you may be able to come off it. What was the cause of your adrenal insufficiency in the first place? If you have primary/Addisons then there is not way you could stop. If you have secondary it depends on what caused it. I have secondary adrenal insufficiency due to the removal of a pituitary tumour 3 yeas a go so there is a chance my pituitary gland may wake up.

[greygoose]

That's the only way I know, reduce slowly. That's what I did. Perhaps you're just not ready to come off yet. Have you had your cortisol tested, recently?

[mischa]

From what I've read on the internet, when you've reached about 10mg, weaning becomes harder because you've reached a level where your adrenals are no longer relying on the HC and are now having to produce cortisol.

At this stage your weaning should be slow (between 2 and 4 weeks between dose reductions) and low (smaller dose reductions).

Decreasing by 10 percent at each successive dose reduction. This is especially true when you have been on HC for a long time.

You may still experience withdrawals hence the long gaps between dose reductions to acclimatise your body and adrenals to begin producing cortisol.

You can find this info under 'weaning hydrocortisone' on the internet.

[mischa in reply to mischa]

I have just looked at your previous posts and you mention Addisons. if you have Addisons there is no way you will be able to come off HC.

[LJ69]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. Yes I was diagnosed 3yrs ago with Addison. When I was diagnosed my levels were less than 3 on my tests and as high as 10 at my morning blood work. Since I lowered my doses, I have lost at least 15lbs. I do have a lot of sweating and my body always feel hot though without being sick. My energy levels fluctuate in drastic measures-high then crash low. This just seems frustrating and looking for answers and understanding.