posted
what does steroids do to a person with Lyme?? usually a few times a year i have the crud, you know a little upper respiratory stuff, & bronchitis.
DR usually gives me a shot of abx and steroids. and i have always done good, until the last couple years.
when i get the shot now, it makes me feel really wired & jittery & also my cheeks get blood read & hot & stay that way for a few days.
in the past i've been fine with steroids.but not anymore
so whats up with the Steroids??
thanks, Kat
Posts: 57 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I think it suppresses your immune system. Then your body would not be fighting the Lyme as well. Not sure how to explain it best, but something like that. Maybe someone else can better explain it?
My LLMD said that I should not have steriods unless it was to save my life!
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
Dear jessie86, As Amy C mentioned, avoiding steroids is important so not to further suppress your immune system. Another issue they contribute to is an overgrowth of yeast in your lower intestines. I was asthmatic as a child and teenager, so inhaled steroids were a daily part of my life for many years. I also frequently had Bronchitis, so antibiotics were used at least twice per year. Now I have a massive overgrowth of Candida Albicans yeast in my body, which tends to complicate Lyme even more.
The symptoms you have described sound as if you were overdosed on the steroids. I had similar symptoms when my doctor prescribed too high a dosage of Serevent when I was a teenager. Such immunity problems may result from taking them, it is not worth it unless there are no other options. In emergency scenarios it would be alright. However, steroids are typically a last resort for those with Lyme.
More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intraarticular steroids.
. . . .
From page 12:
. . .
More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants.
We have seen literally dozens of patients with Lyme who were initially treated with steroids who reported a dramatic worsening rather than improvement as would be expected. Dr. Joseph Burrascano has coined the expression, ' Steroid Disasters, ' to describe these patients.
. . .
Corticosteroids can last in the body for months, usually around 6 months. In many bacterial infections such as LD, damage can be done.
posted
I think that the Dr. B guidelines are mainly concerned with steroids (glucocorticoids specifically) being used as an immunosuppresant. This is most often an issue for patients that are suffering from Lyme but are misdiagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.
Although some inhalers do contain corticosteroids, there is probably a big difference in immune supression between typical Advair use and 40mg of prednisone daily.
Posts: 263 | From Capital Region, NY, USA | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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Some here do okay with some inhalers that contain steroids and, of course, breathing is pretty important so if there is no other way to control asthma, choices may have to be made.
I guess inhaler use would best be discussed with one's LLMD. I have tried several kinds and had horrible reactions - some that lasted for weeks.
A friend had to keep talking me out of going to the ER for an antidote. She had CFS and knew that the reaction I had was nothing that any doctor could have understood. I was a disaster for weeks, nearly a full month for that one breath from the inhaler to stop the electrical jolts to my body.
Even the tiny amount of epinephrine in some dental numbing shots have sent me to the moon for a week or longer. My dentist was the wise one to see that. I had no idea that steroids would be in a shot at the dentist. She wrote "NO EPI" on my chart.
Somewhere else in the guidelines, Dr. B. says to not even use a topical steroid cream.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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I want to mention that steroids for eyes, at times, can save one's vision. Same for hearing - and for life, even. In an emergency, if steroids are required, they can be life saving.
It's just that it is important to cover the bases with one's LLMD.
There is a current post in which Marnie posts a link about DHEA eye drops. Here's that thread:
posted
My son used to be on a daily inhaler to control asthma. He had mild symptoms of asthma though. Only had a few attacks and needed his emergency inhaler. Usually when he was sick or in really humid weather.
He is much sicker from Lyme then my other son. I always wonder if it's from that?
The weird thing is that he is doing fine without the inhaler. He is actually sick less often. If you read the side effects, upper respiratory infections is one of them!
Of course, if your asthma isn't mild I am not sure what to do? I thought I read about an inhaler that didn't contain steriods? Can't remember what it's called but I found it while doing a google search.
Amy
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
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posted
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Atrovent HFA is steroid-free (Ipratropium bromide HFA) -
However, the side-effects can be quite daunting so be sure to read all about it.
--
Cordyceps helps my lungs. It's a medical mushroom that also helps adrenal function. But, I had to use the Atrovent HFA for a short time during a violent cough this past winter.
It did not wire me at all but did really wreck the insides of my mouth and my esophagus. A spacer should be used with it. Still, after reading all about it, I would not want to be on this for very long at all.
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Albuterol is the steroid free inhalor. At least that is what I was told and the one I use.
What does it mean if you take steroids for a few weeks and you don't have a bad reaction? Does that mean you don't have LD; or could the reaction come weeks or months later? Or could you just not have a reaction yet still have Lyme?
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
i had only mild symptoms before i got steroids. taking them was THE mistake of my life.
Posts: 226 | From earth | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
Dear Keebler, Thank you so much for all of the information and links! I found it interesting about the adrenaline at the dentist's office. The last time I had an extraction, I got heart palpitations. I am due for many extractions and fillings soon. Do I just ask for them to leave it out?
Dear Amy C, I am not surprised about your son doing better off of the inhaler. The same thing happened to me. I have not had Bronchitis since going off of it! There has got to be a connection, because I had it at least once per year. My asthma was exercise-induced for the most part, and I still have a touch of it here and there. However, I do not use an inhaler at all.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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Jin,
Call your dentist on Monday and ask them to look in your file and see if the anesthetic they gave you contained epinephrin (sp?). Whether it did nor not, ask them to write "NO EPI" in your file.
Be sure that they can offer you an epinephrin (sp?)-free shot so that when you go the next time this will have already been addressed and that the "No EPI" is on your chart as the first thing they see.
===================
Since we were talking about inhalers, this is of interest. In the news today: Singulair and suicidal impulses:
WASHINGTON - New labels on popular asthma drugs like Merck's Singulair must highlight language about suicidal behavior, depression and anxiety seen in a small number of patients, federal regulators said Friday.
After 15 months of investigation, the Food and Drug Administration said Merck & Co. Inc., AstraZeneca and Cornerstone Therapeutics will have to raise label warnings about psychiatric problems reported by a handful of patients taking their drugs.
``Patients and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential for neuropsychiatric events with these medications,'' the FDA said in a posting to its Web site.
A spokeswoman for Merck said the language already appears in Singulair's label, but will be raised to the ``precautions'' section. It's now listed in a section about various side effects reported by patients.
``We've been working with the FDA since Singulair came to market and every time we update the label it's in cooperation with them,'' said Merck spokeswoman Pamela Eisele.
Singulair was Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck's best-selling product last year, with U.S. sales of $3.5 billion.
A spokesman for London-based AstraZeneca said new labeling on its drug would only mention two psychiatric problems: depression and insomnia.
A spokesman for Cary, N.C.-based Cornerstone Therapeutics had no immediate comment Friday evening.
FDA regulators last spring began reviewing a handful of reports about mood changes, suicidal behavior and suicide in patients who had taken Singulair. The agency also launched probes into other drugs in the class, including AstraZeneca PLC's Accolate and Cornerstone Therapeutics Inc.'s Zyflo.
Earlier this year, the agency said company studies of the three drugs did not show an increased risk of suicidal behavior, though they were not designed to detect such problems. An FDA spokeswoman said Friday the agency is monitoring ongoing reports of suicide and other psychiatric problems among patients.
``We did move this language to the 'precautions' section to highlight that we're continuing to see these things,'' said FDA spokeswoman Karen Riley.
The exact language of the labeling updates has not been released, but the FDA said it could mention a slew of psychiatric problems, including: ``agitation, aggression, anxiousness, dream abnormalities and hallucinations, depression, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, suicidal thinking and behavior -- including suicide -- and tremors.''
. . . .
- cont'd at link above.
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[ 06-13-2009, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Dear Keebler, I will definitely call the dentist immediately! I wonder if this is related to Adrenal Gland Exhaustion? Epinephrine would likely raise cortisol levels, right? My body is really messed up! Thank you for the article and link on Singulair. I think I know someone on that, and better warn them.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Jin,
Yes, it is definitely related to the adrenals. They just can't take any more excitement, so to speak. AND it's also related to the neuro functions that are just so stressed out, too. AND even to our livers.
All systems seem to smoke and sizzle, for me, anyway.
posted
Dear Keebler, I know my liver is in need of help. I lost my gallbladder in 2003, but still experience pain, nausea, severe reflux, and other symptoms. Watching your fat intake and taking bile salts and okra pepsin helps. Still, additional issues could be a congested liver from Candida. As you said, everything seems to be haywire!
I went to www.gallbladderattack.com and found out having issues after gallbladder removal is quite common. My fear is that there is a bile duct injury or Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. The diet would be worth a try. However, I am not sure what to do about meat. It does not appear to be allowed, and I feel worse without it.
Adrenals certainly appear to be an issue for me. I also have hyper reflexes, Thyroid Disease, and have a history of reproductive system issues. If only something could repair all of our systems! Being patient is difficult. Sometimes you worry you are just sitting around waiting to die. It is so scary!
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Jin,
This is really hard, however, see if worry can be turned around into action so that you are either: learning more; doing more supportive stuff; resting -- or doing something totally unrelated to all this.
We are faced with very intense stuff but our brains are not in a position to heal when we are in the state of worry. Just shifting that around to action can change our brains.
Even rest is an action, by the way, in taking care of yourself. I also hope you can have some joy in every day, appreciate beauty where it is.
Hugs. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
keebler, thx for advise of EPI/steroids in dental shots. i made myself a note & will call tomorrow myself. was just there for 3 visits.
may have to go later for a CROWN; 2 sessions ... got a temp one for now working great!
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posted
Hi, Just wanted to chime in on the use of epinephrine in regards to having dental work done. Epi is not a steroid but hormone produced naturally by the adrenal medulla in our bodies, causes the "fight or flight" reaction.
In dental work it is used sometimes in conjuction with one of the caines (numbing agents) like novacaine, It helps the novacaine last longer like for one to two hours, and also constricts blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
The problem with it is when the dentist injects it it sometimes gets into our bloodstream and causes a adrenline rush palpatations, dizziness, high heart rate etc. The dentist is supposed to aspirate back on the needle to make sure it is not in a blood vessel, but can still happen.
It has a half life of about 2 minutes so the effects start to subside soon after it happens. I have had this a couple of times mostly when he injects in the lower jaw, harder to place the needle without getting a blood vessel.
I have asked him to use the numbing without epi in it, and he usually does, but last time he pulled a tooth and wanted bleeding under control and for me to be numb. He got it into the blood vessel, I felt my heart speed up, got shakey and dizzy, but it subsided in about 2 or 3 minutes and he finished the work.
posted
Dear Keebler, Worrying is really bad. My trouble is family issues. They cause a lot of my stress, but I am stuck living with them due to illness. I constantly worry the electricity will go out or something. Finances are so tight! My illness makes me a nervous wreck about everything, because the slightest thing can throw me through a loop.
Dear Grace, Thank you for the additional information. I had the same reaction you had. Mine lasted longer. Epinephrine is also used to stop dangerous allergic reactions, right? I thought maybe that is why the dentist included it in the injection. I have some molars that have to be removed, and certainly do not want that scary feeling to be worse than it already is.
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