Comments on: A guy’s story: scaring the hell out of him about being on HC cortisol!

By: Erika

Erika — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:24:39 +0000

My doctor has started me on 10 mg HC daily, but it’s not enough. The intense nausea has abated and I almost sleep now, but it isn’t enough. How do I get my doc to understand that more is ok, and could actually be beneficial? I have been so ill, and he keeps trying the “natural route.” I have become sicker and crash after each new thing we try. The ONLY thing that has made me feel better is the HC. I haven’t seen my children in three months. I don’t care if more shuts my adrenals down. If I have to be on it for life, so what. At least I will have a life.

(from Janie: Show him Chapter 6 in the STTM book. Learn it and teach him. And even since the STTM book was written, we have learned to “start” on 20 mg, not build up to it!! That’s on the how-to-treat page from here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info It does NOT shut the adrenals down for life. )

By: janette Ingham

janette Ingham — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:48:11 +0000

I have been on 2 x 4mg of cortisone for coming up to a year and dessicated thyroid. Back then my TSH was normal and the doctors just sent me on my way but I was wandering around in a brain fog and my memory was going going gone until I had a nocturnal seizure over a year and a half ago. I researched on the internet here (THANKS!) and elsewhere to try to find some help.

Now however, my cortisol continues to be low and after so long, my current doctor NOW wants me to increase the cortisone another tablet and I can see why. However, I have read up on the side effects of cortisone and I wonder if they will worsen if I take more. Although these can also be mixed up with my perimenopause and adrenal problems cortisone can also cause side effects such as: missed periods, a showing of male facial hair and lately dry, flaking skin and the latest and worst of all my mucous membranes seem to be shutting down. The inside of my nose is now constantly dry and crusty, it is AWFUL! I have been taking a bunch of vitamins as well E, C, Bs, Iron (helps the falling out hair), Zinc (for the dry skin), Fish oil, using sea salt and now Licorice Root in an additional attempt try to help the adrenals.

Has anyone had these symptoms on cortisone? Do you think I should still try increasing the dose? Will these symptoms get worse? I am still run down and still have some ongoing stress problems in my life.

Anyone else?

Janette

(From Janie: the side effects you are scaring yourself about will occur with overly high doses–those higher than your needs as one with adrenal fatigue. Most patients with adrenal fatigue report finding themselves needing 20–30 mg and sometimes higher. And those who dose according to their particular need, as measured by daily averaged temps, have no serious issues other than feeling much, much better and finally being able to get thyroid hormones to the cells, which stops dry nostrils and flaking skin and more. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info and more detail in Chapters 5 and 6 in the STTM book. Share this information with your doc.)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:49:34 +0000

Does anyone know of a doctor they recommend in the Austin, TX area?

By: Enrique

Enrique — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:25:42 +0000

My doctor AND even my mother told me I shouldn’t get on HC because it will destroy my bones and I will gain weight.. I’m on Isocort for 3 months now. It seems to be working but I am weaning myself off to do another saliva test to see where I’m at.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:46:14 +0000

I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue (via very low saliva tests) and hypothyroidism a few summers ago. I started first on HC and then added in (old) Armour. My Dr. did try to give me an adrenal supplement (Adren-all) while waiting for my saliva test results. I was nursing at the time and discovered that some of those herbs are not the best for babies, or we just don’t yet know if they’re safe. HC on the other hand, does not appear to cross into breastmilk. My many symptoms gradually disappeared over the next five or six months. I was on HC (20 mg) for about 8 mos. before easily weaning off. I tracked my daily temperatures in order to determine when to wean. My adrenals then tested fine. No regrets here!

Thanks Janie for educating me! You have been so helpful.

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:41:54 +0000

I started on old Armour last June and bought some Isocort after reading Stop the Thyroid Madness. I haven’t had a saliva test, but I did the pupil test and boy, did mine flutter like crazy! When I started taking 6 Isocort per day, I slept better immediately and haven’t had any acne breakouts. My doctor wasn’t familiar with adrenal fatigue and told me to take just a couple of Isocort pellets but I had instantaneous bad sleep and breakouts so I went right back to 6.

The doctor would only increase my thyroid from 60 to 70 mg (compounded) at my last appointment in October. I see him again Thursday and have sent him Janie’s Mistakes Patients and Their Doctors Make. If he won’t increase it, I’ll be in the market for a new physician.

I know I should get a saliva test, but I sure don’t want to do without the medication for two weeks.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:34:25 +0000

I went the direction of natural supplements for treating my adrenals for about a year. I tried a variety of natural supplements, herbal remedies, etc., both from the healthfood store and from a naturopathic doctor. It was not cost effective and it was not working. Most made me very sick, to a point that I was unable to function if I kept taking them. I’d end up having to stop after a couple of weeks.

After a few tries her recommended herbals and supplements, my ND finally prescribed HC and I woke up! What a waste of time and money, when this low dose steroid made me feel so much better, immediatly, and at a fraction of the cost of all those supplements! I felt fantastic, the best I had felt in years, and had numerous other positive “side effects” that I didn’t even expect. I would rather not have to take this stuff, but for now, it’s giving me my life back. I wish doctors would open their eyes and recognise that there are benefits.

By: Donna

Donna — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:30:02 +0000

Renee, you are extremely lucky! I, too, tried the "natural" route for 7 long years, and saw my adrenals become worse and worse by the year. I did the herbals, the Adrenal Cortex Extract that was touted to be so natural and wonderful, as well as acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, etc. And every year, my symptoms got worse and worse... it got to the point where I could never get out of Stage 7 adrenal fatigue. Yeah, I did all the things I was supposed to do to reduce my stress: divorced an alcoholic, emotionally abusive husband, moved back to my hometown to be around family, got into good therapy... and the therapy made things WORSE-- because I was so cortisol deficient that my body couldn't handle the stress of therapy twice a week. I was physically a wreck, and had to have my mother care for my young son for several weeks. At one point, I was going to check myself into a "chronic fatigue sanctuary" in Pennsylvania, hundreds of miles from my home, which cost thousands of dollars, and who knew how much it would improve my health? I finally came to the realization that the "natural" route was doing zilch for me. I found an excellent adrenal support group, and began HC therapy. A few months of testing the waters with a low dose of HC led me to believe that I needed a full dose of upwards of 20 mgs per day. Once I was on an adequate dose fo 20 mgs a day, my thyroid labs finally showed the hypothyroidism that I'd suffered with for almost 10 years. In less than 2 years, I've gone from being bedridden to opening up my own genealogy research company. Yes, I still need a chiro adjustment every month, and NOW therapy WORKS, because my body is no longer in a fight-or-flight state. I can RELAX. I celebrate the day I found HC, and with that, the resurrection of my life.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:56:55 +0000

I think when your deficient in cortisol and or have something life threatening than HC is merited.
for the record I had 8 years of cortisone shots and creams for allergies as a kid. I have autoimmune diseases and numerous allergies. They don’t run in the family. Link?Not sure I am a documented case of an allergic reaction to Prednisone. yes there are documented cases to such per about 10 doctors who worked on my case and the latest autoimmune dermatologist ( really he has both degrees ) who said that the allergies are usually to that ” family” of steroid. I imagine its due to the carriers. I almost died after being on low dose prednisone due to my allergic reaction. The only real reaction I got to hydrocortisone after 4 years was my skin turned purplish and my throat would kinda close up for about a week after the injection.

I’ m not being negative on steroids for everyone, just for me. I have nothing but total respect for docs who are cautious with steroids.

By: Abby

Abby — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:47:48 +0000

Renee, consider yourself lucky! I am so glad it worked for you!