Adrenal glands

Did anybody have problems with their adrenal glands following steroids intake?

Hope you are all keeping well xx

[MikeWhite]

I have adrenal suppression following long term steroid use.

The Brompton tested me when I managed to reduce my pred to 7mg per day following good results with xolair.

The blood test showed low cortisone and was told that the test would be repeated when I reduced to 5mg per day. The second test showed the same result so was referred to an endocrinologist who performed a short Synacthen test which confirmed by adrenals were shot.

I now take hydrocortisone 3 times a day 15mg 7.5mg and 10mg and have an emergency injection kit.

This is a serious life threatening condition but as long as you are sensible and follow advice you will be ok.

You should wear some kind of medi alert too as if you have an accident or go into adrenal crisis the medics need to know that you are steroid dependent and need hydrocortisone

You need to increase hydrocortisone if you are ill or have any medical procedures - even dentistry - I have just had a knee replacement and had iv hydrocortisone 100mg every 6 hours for 48 hours then double oral dose for another 48 hours and I was fine.

Addisons org online is the charity where to get advice.

Endocrinologist performed a whole host of tests which revealed that my thyroid and testosterone were also affected so I have medication for these too.

Mike

[Hidden in reply to MikeWhite]

Thank you so much for the detailed info.

My cortisol is a little lower than the norm said the doctor, I kept on complaining of fatigue and pains in the body, which alerted him but I haven't had long term steroids use, well inhaled yes, for the rest it has been with chest infections. And I have been stressed looking after my elderly parents as well as discovering this year I had this lymphangioleiomyomatosis , a cystic lung disease. All in all I am being sent to the endocrinologist for testing. So we'll see..

Thank you again and take care xx

[Bronagh2015]

I'm the same as Mike and everything he says is 100% correct.

[Hidden in reply to Bronagh2015]

Thank you Bronagh xx