Short synacthen - side effects

[unbridledflame]

My son is having this test at the end of the month, after they found he has a slightly low morning cortisol (135). They aren't really worried at all, but because he was feeling very unwell and had low blood pressure at the time, they are erring on the side of caution.

I queried with the nurse about side effects - I don't want him getting ill as he has been through enough lately - because when I had the same test a number of years ago, I became VERY unwell that evening. Nobody warned me about any side effects, and they said I would feel 'fantastic' all day, which I did! By the evening, every single part of my body began to ache, like the worst flu pains ever, and I could barely move. I had to go to bed, and was very late into work the next day.

The nurse basically said that she had never heard of any side effects of this sort in her 25+ years of testing people. She inferred I was lying, I felt.

Has anyone ever heard of such side effects following a short synacthen test before? Thank you.

(Mine was for similar symptoms, and I have subclinical, untreated hashimotos thyroiditis.)

[MaisieGray]

I doubt the nurse was inferring that you were lying, only that she'd never previously come across a similar instance. In my case I had only a momentary feeling of nausea which came and went in the blink of an eye exactly as I'd been warned; and then had no other reaction either positive or negative. However, it's certainly possible for side effects to occur, as listed here, even if uncommonly or even rarely: medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

[bantam12]

I had no side effects at all.

[MissOphelia]

When I had mine I felt very tired (although I always am!) and randomly it made me feel really tearful for no reason & a bit down, other than that I was ok.

I really think everyone is different, it’s frustrating when you’re made to feel like you’re exaggerating just because your symptoms don’t fit their “norm”, I’ve had this numerous times when I’ve reacted to different drugs etc!

Lots of luck to your son, I hope it all goes well for him

[unbridledflame]

Thank you - she was definitely trying to make me feel silly; talking loudly as possible and over me, repeating her statement again and again. Thankfully I am a nurse myself and used to being spoken to like that by seniors! Was more annoyed than anything. Seeing the side effects list again, I don't feel as silly now.

Hopefully my son will be fine - apart from his awful fear of needles!!

[Angel_of_the_North]

I couldn't stop crying during the test, but felt fantastic after it. Probably depends what's wrong with your adrenals.

[jib70]

I just had mine done a couple of days ago. I had no side effects at all. Hope it's the same for your son. x