Steroids affect on adrenals

[Citrine77]

Hi

with the help of all the people on this site I have managed to semi control my condition since I had my thyroid removed 4 years ago, it's been a long haul as you will all be aware. I recently had to take steroids for a bad asthma attack and this has put me back to where I was 2 years ago. I have read that steroids can have a very bad effect on both the Adrenals and the pituitary glands. Do you have any advice on what I can do please.

[Trying-hard]

Oh oh is this true I have been taking 6 pills a day together orally in the morning.’ Only for a week for chest infection, but I had an injection in my shoulder last week too. I have hot flushes again haven’t had them for ages. Maybe it’s all the steroids??

[Citrine77 in reply to Trying-hard]

Sounds like its the steroids. I am going to give myself some time to see if I can readjust.

[Hidden]

Steroids can cause problems when taken for long periods of time.They can either cause Cushing's syndrome where there are high levels of cortisol produced by the adrenal glands or can cause adrenal insufficiency where the adrenal glands stop working either partially or completely. The pituitary produces ACTH which is sent to the adrenal glands to stimulate them to make cortisol. Usually the issues is with the adrenal glands rather than pituitary. Steroids need to be reduced very slowly when you have been on high doses, not as quickly as many doctors say. By reducing slowly then hopefully the glands will start working again properly. Your GP can do an early morning blood cortisol between 8-9am to see what your cortisol levels are, they should be around 500nmol/Ls, under 400 you should be referred to an Endocrinologist for a synacthen test which will see what your adrenal glands are doing. Hope that helps?

[Citrine77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pauline, I'll give it a bit longer to see if I can get back on track. Getting appointments with our GP is a bit like finding gold dust.

[Trying-hard]

My doctor will have a heart attack if he sees me again, do you know anything about Fostair inhalers? I know it’s steroid too they gave me it after the 6 pills a day week from hell. I don’t want to take this forever either

[Citrine77 in reply to Trying-hard]

I think Fostair is the replacement for Seretide. I am asthmatic so I do have to use Seretide daily as you probably are, but have been told it should not make too much difference. I was changed to Fostair by NHS who are always trying to save money, but it did not work for me. If the Fostair has been given to you for your chest infection, just use it until it has cleared up and you can breath freely again. I wouldn't think you have been put on it forever, but you could phone the surgery and get someone to call you back on that one. Saves going to the Doc.

[Trying-hard in reply to Citrine77]

Hi Citrine. I asked the pharmacist the other day how long I had to take carbocisteine the other day cos they gave me 120 pills and it clearly states that you shouldn’t stop without the doctors say so I am on so many pills now I should be rattling when I

walk. He said to stop as soon as I felt well enough so I stopped yesterday, they make me feel quite sickly. Will try to cut down on the Fostair 2 puffs a day twice a day at the moment. It gives me oral thrush. It’s getting hard to tell if the side effects of all of these meds are worth it although tbf I did get pneumonia and sepsis last time I had a bad chest so need to be careful. Thanks for your reply

[Citrine77 in reply to Trying-hard]

Just a quick word. When you usrythe inhaler make sure you wash your mouth out as soon as you have puffed as the spray will cause the orsl thrush, your doctor should have explained that to you. Good luck with everything.😊😊

[Trying-hard in reply to Citrine77]

Yes I have been thank you it doesn’t seem to help much tbh I think I just must be quite susceptible to it. Some antibiotics can bring me down with it in a day or two its awful. I’m falling to

pieces here thank you for the advice and support

[posthinking01]

Hi Citrine - sorry you have had problems - I am diagnosed Addison's - if nothing else this proves you are not in need of adrenal support with steroids asin my opinion this is showing too much cortisol being produced that your body does not want. After a recent Sepsis event (had it twice) I had to reduce from 200 mg of Hydrocortisone - took me 18 months as could not reduce by more than 5 mg every 6 weeks otherwise I went dizzy and felt sick. Try to come off slowly and adrenal should pump up again.