reducing steroids
Posted , 4 users are following.
Does anyone know at what stage of steroid reduction do ones adrenal glands start functioning again?Is there a blood test that is done to confirm adrenals are working when you finally come off steroids.
0 likes, 13 replies
mrs_k
Posted
Maybe someone has a more definite answer. Here is hoping.
mrs K
mrs_k
Posted
mrs K
Guest
Posted
I was told by my rheumatologist that when you get down to 7.5mg of Prednisolone that matches the amount that your body normally makes, which, he said, is why the side effects of the steroids then start to abate.
He also told me that Prednisolone does not completely \"wipe out\" the body's own cortisol (steroids).
From this it would appear that the reason we all find it so difficult to reduce when on the low doses (7.5 and below) is that either our adrenal glands are not yet back to their previous output OR the PMR/GCA is not ready to burn itself out - a very confusing situation and one, it seems, that even the experts can't answer!
One thing is for sure - if our body doesn't make enough cortisol to cope whilst reducing we will know by the increased pain and hence up the dose again. Also, if the body is not producing enough cortisol alongside the dose and you have to face surgery or trauma to the body, then it is imperative for the dose to be increased to make up for the missing normal surge from the adrenal glands at such a time.
As to your query re availability of a blood test to check the supply of cortisol from our adrenal glands once off steroids, I did hear about a friend's young granddaughter who was tested in hospital for the problems she was experiencing in trying to get off long term steroids. Also, I have read somewhere that an endochrinologist can test cortisol levels.
Maybe this is a question one of us can put to the rheumatologist at our next appointment - mine is not until February so over to all you fellow sufferers out there! Or, as dear Mrs K says, maybe someone else 'looking in' will have a more definitive answer.
Sorry, Chammer, if I've gone on a bit in answer to your very simple sounding question but it seems there is no simple sounding answer at the moment, although I hope I have been able to go some way to making the situation a bit clearer an not confused you even more! :?
MrsO
Wallis
Posted
Either way, it seems to be around that point everyone has trouble cutting down. I came off 15mg (for 3 months) very quickly, dropping to 12 and a half, then 5, then 2 and a half, then stop. Over a three week period. Pain kicked in hugely mid-way and I completely seized up one night in acute pain, but hung on in there and am now only taking diclofenac.
Best wishes all.... Wallis
Nefret
Posted
Nefret
Guest
Posted
Thank you all so much for your replies.It is so good to have someone that you can ask for advice or information particularly when you have got a Consultant who although very pleasant does not seem very keen on answering questions.I wish I had been aware of this site at the start of this illness .
Mrs_G
Posted
Guest
Posted
Guest
Posted
I remember Ragnar's reduction programme but cannot find it now and it is relevant as I am trying to reduce below 3.5. Where is it???
Best wishes
Margaret
Guest
Posted
Click on page 2 of the PMR site and scroll down to \"Increased Pain when reducing steroid dosage\". On page 1 of that thread you will find a posting from RD Swede (Ragnar) dated Thu. Feb 12 2009. He mentioned in one of his postings that even his regime may be not be slow enough for some and I certainly have taken double the time. I'd be interested to know if a similar reduction programme works for you - good luck.
MrsO
Mrs_G
Posted
RD_Swede
Posted
Good luck all of you
Ragnar
Guest
Posted
Thanks for pointing us in the direction of your very interesting \"story\" and the reminder for all of your successful tapering regime - a very positive goal to aim for and proving that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
MrsO