posted
Is 17.5 mg hydrocortisone/daily safe? My cortisol is low.I keep hearing two sides to this ? and I'm so confused,lol.
-------------------- Christine H. Posts: 15 | From Westerville,OH | Registered: Mar 2009
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joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
Up.
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
I've kind of wondered this too regarding longer term safety and effects.
My LLMD put me on a daily dose just a wee bit lower than yours.
Not real thrilled about it, but given what my cortisol levels were upon testing and how it helped me cope, I didn't fuss.
Posts: 56 | From Down Here | Registered: May 2010
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Hydrocortisone is very close to what the body makes naturally, so from that standpoint, it is good.
Excess steroid hormones can suppress the immune system, which is why most on here will make a big deal about avoiding steroids.
HOWEVER, if you have low adrenal function and need the support, then taking the hydrocortisone may actually improve your immune system and your body's ability to tolerate Lyme/coinfection treatment.
Therefore, if your doctor has tested you and found that you need the adrenal support, then it is probably a good thing to take.
17 1/2mg is about the same as 4mg Prednisone, which is about what the body makes naturally. No, this is not a huge dose, so it should be safe.
If you have trouble with energy later in the day, you can divide the dose so that you take about 2/3-3/4 of the dose in the morning (preferrably between 6-9am), and then the remaining 1/2 or 1/4 of the dose in the mid afternoon (3-5pm). Conversely, if taking it in the afternoon causes insomnia, then try taking all of the med in the morning.
Side-effects are possible from this low dose of Hydrocortisone, but can be offset with a few supplements and dietary changes:
Make sure you are taking enough Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D (helps calcium absorption), Vitamin K (helps calcium get put into bones), Vitamin C, and Essential Fatty Acids (fish oil is the best source). This will support bone health while you are taking steroids. Do not take calcium within 2 hours of taking the Hydrocortisone - they interfere with the absorption of each other.
Steroids promote sodium retention and potassium & calcium loss, so watch your electrolytes and dietary sodium content.
Steroids also promote water retention. Exercise, drinking enough fluids, reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake can help offset this problem.
Steroids also interfere with sulfur metabolism, which is why they can sometimes make it easier to get soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, tendon/ligament problems) and can cause thinning of the skin. MSM (sulfur) is one of the best supplements to help offset this problem, along with Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps direct where the MSM is needed, and sulfur is used in skin and connective tissue throughout the body.
Exercise is critically important also for improving water retention and preventing bone density loss. The best exercise for bones is resistance/weight-bearing exercise (weight lifting, etc.).
My Husband has been on oral steroids for his severe food allergic disease and he takes the above supplements in addition to a daily MultiVitamin. He has improved his bone density significantly while taking steroids by using the above supplements and hiking on weekends.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I was just put on 20mg cortef time released once a day. I am only on second day and have been sick both days. Today is worse than than yesterday.
I am now even dizzier, even in my sleep. My hands are shaking and my heart is skipping. I did not take the meds today. I also take DHEA 25mgs a day since it is also low.
I am not sure whether to keep taking it or stay off of it. I am dizzy enough without this adding to it? Any suggestions.
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
Annie--Maybe the 20 mg is too much for you?? I would call your LLMD and tell him what you've been experiencing.
The dose of this med can be adjusted up or down depending on your needs (as long as you don't go too high, which is supposedly not good).
-------------------- "The simple things can get you through the hardest times." Posts: 628 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Low dose it!!
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
I do 25/day. My cortisol levels were quite low, I am on the fence about it. My condition has worsened since starting it, but that is probably because I am treating Bart and Babesia at the same time.
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
wow-theres another thread about this today. i seem better when i take only 5 mg a day. but docs have taken me off it. now i crash-profound fatigue -from 3-6. then get 2nd wind and cant sleep w/o helpe before 11pm-3am
i think i need to go back on...but i wa also thinking of starting salt/c...woner if the sodium will be a problem
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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