Starting on meds -what to expect?
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My husband's cortisol levels were v low and his Dr suspects AD. He's had panic disorder (regular panic attacks, often for no apparent reason) for the last year and been prescribed all kinds of meds (eg benzos) which just seem to have made matters worse. We're hoping AD might be the missing piece to the puzzle.
He's a few days into taking hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. He says he's feeling "buzzed" with an unpleasant tension in his neck that makes it feel like he's trying to crawl out of his skin. He's also having a really hard time settling down to sleep at night -even more so than he had before. It does appear to be decreasing the panic attack symptoms (less heart palpitations) so we think it's helping?
Does that sound normal? How long did it take people to adjust to their meds? Any advice I can pass onto him?
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FranH
Posted
Roddy999 FranH
Posted
In my case, taking HC made me feel great though it took a couple of weeks.
If he hasn't already had this, he should demand a synacthen [synthetic ACTH] test to verify that is indeed primary AD and not secondary. Primary is a malfunction of the adrenals, secondary is a malfunction of the pituitary which is what instructs the adrenals to produce cortisol.