secondary adrenal insufficiency

[bowler]

Hello

I have been taking prednisolone long term, [ over 20 yrs ] and now have S, A. Insufficiency, I also have heart disease,

I am in the processes of reducing my Pred, and now on 6mgs, per day. I don't have much energy, and I'm a little anxious, which I understand is the side effects of reducing, I was stuck on 7mgs for a long time as each time I got to 6mgs I had what I thought was a return of my Polymyalgia, or it could have been withdrawal symptoms of the Pred. however apart from a being lethargic and anxious I have now been on 6 mgs for a month and then I will gradually reduce to 5mgs, I will then have some blood tests done I think the Endo eventually wants me to change to another cortisol which I understand I will have to take several times a day , [ I only take pred once a day } has anyone on this site changed, and was there any side effects when changing.

Sorry for the long post.

bowler

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on levothyroxine?

Or any other replacement thyroid hormones?

Obviously thyroid and adrenals are closely connected

[bowler in reply to SlowDragon]

No , thyroid OK.

bowler

[Hidden]

Hi bowler, I'm sorry you've been diagnosed with secondary adrenal insufficiency, it so often happens when you are taking steroids for another condition. Tapering down from Pred will be a long slow process as you are finding out. I have secondary adrenal insufficiency due to removal of a pituitary tumour. I take hydrocortisone which I imagine is the one your Endo wants you to go on to. I tried Pred for a month or so but didn't get on with it. Some people say that they prefer Pred & dont' get on with Hydrocortisone. I prefer HC as I metabolise my HC quickly so need to take it every 4 hours otherwise I don't feel well, I'm used to it now & have alarms set up on my watch. Others take it 3 times a day, it all depends on what works for you. Some people who are on Pred find that by splitting their Pred into a couple of times a day helps as well for better cover. If you are on FaceBook then join the UK Addison's disease & AI info & support group, you will get a lot of help & support on there as well. I trust that you know the sick days rules? Wear a medical alert bracelet & have a couple of injection kits? I'm happy to help if I can. Pauline

[bowler in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like Hydrocortisone does the same thing as pred, but has to be taken several times a day, I must admit that taking Pred once a day is easy, as it would mean more to put in my dosett box, I am on quite a lot of other meds for my heart condition, [ I have had 3 coronary stents, and I also have a leaking mitral valve ] blood pressure, and a few health issues, however I would be willing to give it a try, but as I have been on pred for over 20 years I have my doubts about changing, I do have to carry a hydrocortisone injection, and I also have a rubber bangle, [ I cant wear metal as I bruise a lot due to all my meds, ] I have been told about the sick days rule, which I have had to do twice, what a palaver.

I do hope I can get to 5gs, which I have never been able to do in the past 20 yrs, 7mgs is the lowest but the Endo feels it's a bit too much,.

I'm not on F B, maybe I should be, my family said I could try it, but at 75 I can't seem to be bothered with it all.

Thank you so much for your reply and offers of help if needed

regards. bowler

[Hidden in reply to bowler]

I'm also on a lot of meds for various conditions although I don't bother with a dosett box, I find that taking my HC this way is best for me. Have you got Hydrocortisone tablets as well? As they act quicker than Prednisilone when you need a quick boost for illness or injury.

[bowler in reply to Hidden]

No I haven't got any Hydrocortisone tablets, Yes I have a dosset box but sometimes I still forget to take them on time, I should get a watch like you,

I was late taking them yesterday as I had to go to hospital for my heart scan which put me out, I had to go to the rear of the Cardio unit to be let in with a mask on, as I am shielding I couldn't go through the main hospital,

[Hidden in reply to bowler]

You need them to take if you are ill or have an accident as they work much quicker than Pred.

[bowler in reply to Hidden]

I will have to ask about them, I was told to up my dose of pred, if I have a cold or infection, etc., have a tooth out, or if I have invasive test done in hospital, and if I have a crisis to use my injection, luckily I haven't had to use that yet. when I had my 3 coronary heart stents done in Royal Papworth Hospital I had to double my dose of Pred, before and a few days after.