I am currently on a very small dose of cortef (5mg) which is considered a steroid in addition to antibiotics: Azithromycin, Plaquenil and Bicillin Injections. My cortisol levels are really low and I have a lot of fatigue. Have been dealing with Lyme for 8 months (treated for 2). I have read that Burrascano Guidelines suggest NO STEROIDS should ever be given to Lyme patients. My Lyme specialist seems to know what she is doing and treatment seems very similar to DR. B guidelines but the No Steroids part has me worried a bit. I can tell my immune system is already extremely weak. Any thoughts?
Posted by pryorka (Member # 13649) on :
Yeah that's fine, I'm doing that too because my cortisol levels are too low. By balancing our cortisol levels we actually give our immune system a boost. It's when you have more steroids in you than you need that it starts suppressing the immune system
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Yes, this is fine and many do exceedingly well with it, with better endurance. If you start to feel a bit reved up or wired, I'd back down bit.
It is not in the same category- nor anywhere near the dose - that would cause trouble since the adrenals make this anyway (naturally, within the body) and the thought is that this dose is replacing what the adrenals are not able to make right now but not exceeding what a natural level would be.
I have begged for this many times but can't get it. Hope it helps.
This book discusses use of low-dose cortef and other adrenal support supplements for lyme patients. MUCH is explained here:
========
By an ILADS member LLMD, this book holds great information about treatments options and support measures:
There is at least one other book out there about using low-dose cortef for patients with adrenal exhaustion. It is not about lyme at all but it is very helpful, still. I just can't remember the title.
There have been many threads about this. You can search for "Cortef" here: