connection between Prednisone and adrenals.
Posted , 14 users are following.
I'm currently on 7.5 mg and I seem to be doing quite well on it. Question--as the dosage decreases, do the adrenals start to wake up and begin to produce some steroids on their own? And is that why it is more difficult to decrease dosage once one gets to 7 mg and lower? Thank you!
0 likes, 5 replies
ricky23486 rhea28447
Posted
nick67069 rhea28447
Posted
EileenH rhea28447
Posted
Yes, and yes.
But there is no real need to ask for a synacthen (ACTH stimulation) test UNLESS you start to find it difficult to reduce further because of increasing fatigue and a feeling unwell that isn't PMR-type symptoms. As long as you are reducing slowly without problems you can take it that you are likely to be functioning OK. Possibly at somewhere about 5mg or lower it COULD be done but all it tells you is whether your adrenal glands are CAPABLE of producing cortisol, not whether they are doing so, there are several factors and organs involved. In some ways like your car won't start with an empty battery or fuel tank - but even if the tank is full and the battery is fully charged, it still won't start if the fuel pipe is blocked or the starter motor is damaged.
There is also the point that if you have got to 7mg you are bound to be closer to the dose you are looking for: "the lowest dose that manages the symptoms as well as the starting dose" and the amount you are reducing by becomes proportionally greater with each drop so your body notices more.
liz12234 rhea28447
Posted
EileenH liz12234
Posted
Oh good! You aren't a simpleton - you just don't speak medic. It's a very special language