posted
I have come back on very low Blood cortisol reading all day and now have to replace with Cortef to get me back in to range.
Is anyone else on Cortef and if so what dosages are you taking
Posts: 52 | From Ireland | Registered: Nov 2009
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
15 mg in the am, and 5 mg with lunch.
I also take Florinef.
But - I'm not saying this is the best option for you. My adrenals don't work at all, as I have Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) which is not the same as adrenal fatigue.
You might consider adrenal support other than Cortef - many here have had success with that.
You could give adrenal support a shot for a few months before deciding about starting Cortef.
massman should show up soon and talk about healing your organs - and hopefully others will show up with concrete suggestions for adrenal support.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by cactus: [QB] 15 mg in the am, and 5 mg with lunch. But - I'm not saying this is the best option for you. My adrenals don't work at all, as I have Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) which is not the same as adrenal fatigue.
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Well my Endo said I have such low adrenal output I mean below reference range all day that I have to be on Cortef - He did an Synathen Stimulation test and I dont have addisons as it responed but my cortisol is non existant. He is going to set my dosage again and run a post blood day curve to ensure I am not over medicated.
My adrenals are just not working so I have no other option than Cortef - so I will be on normal and timed release - He is Lyme literate BTW so knows not to overmedicate
Your dose is very low for an addisionian as my friend is on 35mg a day and more in a crisis
Posts: 52 | From Ireland | Registered: Nov 2009
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
Sounds like you have a good doc.
Yes - my dose is low compared to some. We're all different. I started lower, but had to raise and had to add the Florinef (which made a huge difference).
In a crisis, of course my dose is much higher.
And I also stress dose whenever necessary, and basically double my dose (so 40 mg).
But for the most part, 20 mg + the Florinef works.
You might want to ask your doc if a Medic Alert bracelet is a good idea - I know that was something my doc insisted on.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Thanks Cactus, I still produce in a crisis situaion as I responded to the stim test but have very low adreenal output so I am not noted as addision. Strangely as the infections are reated my output is raising slightly.
I like the Timed release cortisol idea as then you dont get the peaks and troughs and its less likely that you will run out of cortisol - so I take a norlam 7am cortef + Florinef and at 1pm I take a timed release that remains in the body for 8 hours
I think most lyme patients should get a detailed blood day curve run as withought cortisol your immune system is impaired and you cant function - people get So overtly freaked out by cortef but you only replace what your body does not make its a bit like not giving a diabetic insulin STUPID
I wish more LLMD's would look at this as infection has to impact on everyones adrenals -and as long as your not overmedicated and on a natural replacement like cortef and not prednisone than all is well.
Lets hope eventually our adrenals will heal - mind you saying that I think mune is more pituitary as I responded to the stim test
Posts: 52 | From Ireland | Registered: Nov 2009
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posted
I also have Addison's. I take 20mg of cortef daily as well. 15mg am and 5mg lunch. Use to take 30mg/day and my endo told me that was too much and thinking now days was 15 to 20 mg was replacement dose. I take 0,1mg florinef.
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Watch the doses over 20 mg, that is equal to 5 mg of Prednisone and you will shut off your adrenal glands. Bad idea!
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I think my Maximum dose is going to be 15mg a day and it will be checked with a serum Cortisol Day curve
Was so freaked out about Steroids and Lyme but my LLMD says the deal with steroids and Lyme are problamatic when the dose is way higher and then it suppresses the immune system, so much higher doses and the bad steroid is prednisone
I suppose I am only replacing what I dont produce but it still freaks me out - But he said if i dont take what I need that also lowers the immune system.......
Incredible to know so many addisionian's with Lyme - or should I say Lyme could probably be the cause of addisions in some people
Posts: 52 | From Ireland | Registered: Nov 2009
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posted
My doctor just added cortef to my antibiotic regiment. He hasn't done any specific test for my adrenals, but he did do a general blood test and liver check. (I'm on a standing order blood test every 4 weeks to check my liver)
I'm currently taking 500mg zithromax, 1000mg omnicef, 500 mg tindamax, artimisinin (pulse), crypto plus (5 drops 2x a day), zinc 25 mg, 2 vsl3 tablets, and 5,000 iu vitamin D3. I'm pretty sure that's it. Oh, and he just added the cortef and doryx.
I guess I'm just wondering why he put me on the cortef. I told him I've been slightly sluggish lately and my tongue is velvety feeling.
I would appreciate any advice. Thanks tiffagoo
Posts: 151 | From california | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
no, he hasn't checked my levels. He is a well known LLMD, and I really trust him. However, doctors are not gods, and I need to be my own advocate. I actually asked my PC doctor for a adrenal test. And I have it, but my insurance doesn't cover the test. And to be honest, I don't have a few hundred dollars to spare for the test.
I think my LLMD is basing it on my symptoms. I haven't actually started cortef yet, but I have picked them up from the pharmacy today. He wants me to start slow. I suppose to max out at 5 mg twice a day. To start off he told me to take a half of a 5mg pill twice a day, and go up from there.
Posts: 151 | From california | Registered: Dec 2009
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