posted
I have and must say it is hugely helpful and while not nearly as strong as something like actually taking 5mg's of hydro-cortisone pills- which unleashed my lyme like crazy! it really gives a major boost in energy.
I wonder how much the cream actually delivers into the bloodstream? Based on my actual experiences with both the over the counter cream provides less hydrocortisone to my system. I'm thinking it may be a rather safer alternative to the low dose pills. j
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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Razzle
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posted
The only problem is the cream will weaken the skin where it is applied if used long-term. Make sure to supplement with sulfur, calcium, magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C, & zinc if you use steroids in any form long-term.
-------------------- -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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karenl
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posted
It is a no with lyme.
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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Razzle
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posted
When used solely for adrenal support, steroids are fine with Lyme, as long as one is also on anti-Lyme treatment in addition.
-------------------- -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'm not sure if you guys understood what I was asking: My thought after using the 1% over the counter cream and the pills, is that the pills are much much stronger and indeed the pills made me sick. BUT the cream never has made me sick and seems to have a much weaker effect, BUT still it works pretty well- far better than any herb I have ever taken- and I think I've tried every adrenal support herb on the market. Also another question I have is just how much Hydro-cortisone does the cream deliver? I'm thinking its a totally different process at work here..something much different like as if I'm getting like the equivalent of 1 or 2mgs and it is absorbed much slower which means that it works not to suppress the adrenals but rather to support them. It got to be something, but they the cream vs the pills feel nothing like each other. thanks, jeremy
[ 08-10-2011, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: jl123 ]
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Yes, there would be a difference because the dose, the amount of steroid being absorbed systemically, is different. The OTC creams are at most about 1%. And I don't know what the Hydrocortisone equivelant is - different steroids are different potencies (example: 5mg Prednisone = about 20mg Hydrocortisone). A pharmacist may be able to tell you how much systemic absorption may occur from the steroid cream.
Also, topically active steroids may undergo first pass metabolism in the liver, which breaks the steroid down before the rest of the body gets any. GI-absorbed steroids, on the other hand, are absorbed as a steroid, which then gets metabolized in the liver. Thus, the adrenal gland gets a bigger dose of steroid from the oral than any topically active steroid would be likely to impart (speaking of synthetic steroids here, not the natural/bio-identical topical steroids that some might use as topical hormone replacement/support).
So something else you might try is DHEA, if you haven't already. DHEA is another adrenal hormone besides Cortisol (Hydrocortisone and also the topical over-the-counter steroid creams = Cortisol), and supplementing with it in small amounts (a few mg. at most) may do more for you.
Also, consider supplementing with Vitamin C and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid). Vitamin B5 feeds the adrenal gland, and the combination of Vit. C & B5 stimulates the body's own natural cortisol production if the dose of B5 taken is high enough.
-------------------- -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
Razzle, I like your hypothesis. However could it also simply be that if you put the cream right over (literally) your adrenal glands after some time the steroid might get directly into the sponge like fibers of the adrenal gland itself? Indeed its over the adrenals where I put the cream. j
Posts: 268 | From new york city | Registered: May 2008
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canefan17
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posted
Maybe I'm confused...
Is the hydrocortisone for adrenals the same (in cream form) used for rashes?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes - and no (petroleum is added to the ointments / creams). But, still:
Even topical applications (creams, ointments) of steroids are to be avoided by those with lyme. Even at low dose as most creams are.
They can cause problems, as addressed somewhere in this article, I don't have the time to search it out but 99% sure this is where I read that.
And, with those ointments there are also the petroleum products to consider as they do get into our bodies, into all our tissue. They are endocrine disruptors and can do the adrenal system more harm.
"topical" is the key term here to keep your eyes out for - -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you are trying to achieve some kind of Corted "LIGHT" approach, there would be better ways. Cortef, physiological replacement dose discussed here, too:
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671.
Epub 2012 Jan 24.
Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Herb Pharm Original Salve™ -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Thanks for recommendations. It's for anal fissures. Is the first one a thick cream where I don't have to worry about the gel being too watery and making the problem worse (with a moist area)
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
My husband's PCP gave him a prescription cream for this. It works. Hubby also uses Desitin and says it works.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
Do you happen to know what the prescription was?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
Yes. It is econazole nitrate cream,1%.
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