Adrenal function symptoms and conditions

First of all let me state that I stopped Advair (or Seretide 125 here in the UK) before I was aware of a plethora of potential side-effects.

I've had asthma for 4 years (male 39) and I started just over two years ago when I had a chest infection. Two days later I developed quite a bad pneumonia and ended up in hospital. Thankfully it cleared OK and I got out quickly enough. After that I continued with it. Around late summer last year I noticed my libido dropping off, bad sleep patterns (really tired at 10pm yet waking up at 2am and unable to sleep again), depressive episodes, mood swings and mental fogginess especially in the afternoon. Blood tests showed borderline low testosterone levels and I was referred to an endocrinologist early in 2009. A few tests later and I was no further forward but I started to suspect my adrenal function was poor. An ATCH stimulation test was done but it was "normal". I then had a tremendously bad depressive episode and went to the doctors. He offered me prozac until we got to the bottom of the issue but I declined as I suspect it would make things worse. I then started to analyze what had changed in my life and the only thing that had the potential was the Seretide. I then changed back to Clenil (beclomethasone) and the difference was like day and night. My sleep patterns immediately restored themselves and my mental state went back to normal. I also run up to 50 miles per week and suffered occasional cramps - I could even cramp at will by placing my lower leg in a particular place! Needless to say this has gone too. I now have another blood test next week and it'll be very interesting to see where my T levels are now.

I suspect that Advair/Seretide causes adrenal issues in susceptible people. Once your adrenals are out of whack then your thyroid and other hormonal systems start to get affected.

As a fairly healthy 34 year old male, I went to my doctor for help getting over poison ivy mid-July 2008. I received the Kenalog 40 injection without being advised on any potential side effects. Within 36 hours I started having severe anxiety attacks with spikes in my blood pressure and vision problems (spotty, increased sensitivity to light). These attacks continued for 4-8 weeks during which time I underwent an MRI (head), stress test, and blood work to make sure nothing else was causing my symptoms.....conclusion: everything normal. My doctor prescribed me Xanax to help with the out of control anxiety. Started feeling more normal 60-90 days later. I started trying to run on my treadmill to get back in shape at the 90 day mark, and once again....symptoms returned. It's been a couple of weeks and I'm getting closer to being back to "normal", but I have no idea how long it will be before the Kenalog has completely metabolized out of my system, and I can get on with life. This has been a horrible experience and I would caution anyone from receiving this drug!

My doctor put me on prednisone for pain and inflammation and I have never felt better in my life. It's a miracle for me right now and I'll take my chances with the side effects for being pain free. I'm a happy lady for now.

Hello.

I was started on Prednisone on Saturday (3/15) for Bronchitis. So far I have taken 40mg, 40mg, 30mg, 30mg, 20mg, - I am to take 20mg for two more days than 10mg for three days. I also just finished a Z-Pack of antibiotics and am taking Mucinex and Ventolin HFA...

I have head pressure, dizziness, and weird visual disturbances. The problem I am having is my breathing feels WORSE on the Prednisone??? Is this possible??? I feel like I am losing my mind. I have insomnia and am extremely jittery. I have never taken Prednisone before - but want so badly to breath better - but it is not helping and in fact seems to making the problem worse?

Has this every happened to anyone? Please help I am so frightened.....

Thank you

I was given 20 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for a rash and joint pain.
The pain went away and I felt great the rash got a little better. Two days ago I took my last pill. I woke up that night and my knees gave out. By morning I was great! Next night I woke with knee problem again had to slide down the stairs to the living room. I got to wondering if the knee thing could be associated with the Prednisone. I got on line and read all this terrible stuff. I am so Horrified! Today I am in pain like my body is bruised and my face is swollen a little. I have acid reflux as well. Non of this is typical for me. My knee thing is ok again, but I am just appalled! I have no MED insurance. I hope this isn't the beginning of worse things I am not taking that drug now. The Dr. didn't say I needed to taper...

I hope I have not damaged myself by taking this drug! My heart goes out to all of you! My question is - Why are the Dr.'s prescribing this terrible drug?

hi, Finished a 6 day pack of Prednisone and am so very tired. I feel a bit sick and have hot/cold flashes. More than the normal for my age. I do not feel energetic. I don't know if it is the winter and gray sky doing it to me, but I don't think so. I feel so blah. Could this be from the Prednisone?
Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello EveryOne out there...OK OK....

Now Why have I been out of touch since Sept 14th.... 2007???

I have been VERY VERY ill.....

Y'See, I went to see this new Doctor (Quack) for continued pain in my chest (sternum) area....that I have been having trouble with all Summer. (Severe Costochondritis/Fibromyalgia) By Sept 14th, this Quack who claims to be a Doctor had given me this prescription for Prednisone pills (20 mg each)....with orders to take mega doses of this toxic poison in order to combat the pain I was suffering. I was so desperate to get out of pain that I went ahead and filled the prescription and started taking the pills that eventful Friday night. I made the fatal mistake of trusting this Doctor!!!

If I had any sense God gave green apples I would have researched this a little before taking this medicine!! I would have run like all heck in the opposite direction!

I had been taking these reccomended large doses for approx two weeks back then per Doctor 'Quack's' order.... I have been hooked after the first week....and now currently desperately trying to get off of it with only marginal success!!

I have been on this Prednisone crap for some 49 days, currently and desperately trying to get off of it....with terrible side effects!! I have experienced every side effect known to the Devil himself and even discovered some new ones that I never knew was possible!? Case in point! I can't sleep night after night without terrible withdrawals all night long!!! I am forced to contend with them every night here. Not to mention I fight the withdrawals all days long too. I have this inept doctor and I am sorry I even went to him in the first place...!

The withdrawals I am now getting are harder to deal with than the original chest pain itself!!! Not to mention even eating the so-called 'wrong' foods sets off even more withdrawals almost immediately. I am now extremely sensitive to light and the sun~ not to mention.....noise....and stress....

I am much sicker from this Quack Doctor's so-called "HELP" than I ever was before....

I don't mind saying his name and trying to steer everyone away from this jerk Doctor here in Las Vegas who takes advantage of people in pain when they are desperate by feeding them toxic poisons and passing the poison off as something harmless thats gonna help them??? Just ask me who he is and I will tell you. I have no qualms about it....

Bottom line is I have spent this last month trying to get off this crap and I just found out that the withdrawals may bother me up to a YEAR after I take my last dose of this crap poison!! I have been going thru H***!!! A nightmare I would LOVE to pass onto this Quack who pretends to be a doctor!

I am down to about 7.5 mg per day now from about 180 mg that he gave me originally Sept 14 2007. Believe me this was not easy thing for me to do. I went "Toxic" on this drug weeks ago and it has affected my ability to process, think and reason properly. I feel like part of my mind is now missing or went on permanent vacation!! Dizziness,feeling like I'm gonna pass out, Brain Fog and Mass Confusion is the order for the day~depending on the time of day???

"The side effects of prednisone include adrenal suppression, which can occur with periods of prednisone use to surpass seven days. Adrenal suppression refers to the body’s inability to synthesize natural corticosteroids, resulting in a dependency on the prednisone taken by the patient. This is why doctors do not recommend the cessation of prednisone when the patient has taken it for longer than seven days. They reduce the dose gradually over a few days in the case of short-term prednisone use, and over weeks or months in the case of long-term treatment. Stopping prednisone treatment abruptly can cause the life-threatening Addison’s disease, in which in the body no longer produces sufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones"

I want to SUE this Doctor for making me this sick!!!!!

SDR

GRRRRRRRRRrrrrr!!!!!!!

My 17 year old college bound 5'11 volleyball playing daughter recieved an intravertebral injection of kenalog 40, 3 1/2 weeks ago. That night she began intense headaches . Within 1 week her menstral cycle was off, spotting. Vomitting started 1 week following also. She now suffrs with intense migrane headaches(light sensitive), followed by vomitting on a daily basis. Her life has been turned upside down.

I was given an injection of Kenalog one week ago. By the time I got home I felt extreme fatigue and was forced to go to bed. I had not been nervous about the injection & it was pretty much pain-free. The injection was given for two herniated discs & sciatica. Within the next couple of days new symptoms appeared -- fast & irregular heartbeat, headaches and excessive urination. I also feel unusually anxious. I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and wonder if that condition had something to do my onging symptoms. My medical knowledge is very limited, but I wonder if this medication could cause changes in my adrenal function. When I saw my orthopaedic physician assistant on Friday I mentioned the symptoms and she didn't seem concerned & said maybe I had been retaining fluid --- which is not the case. I am 59 years old & I know my body! Although I have been eating well, I have lost three pounds. I am so confused. I have also had sweats, similar to hot flashes. Do you all think these symptoms could be related to the injection. I have a call in to the pain management doctor who did the injection, but I guess he will just blow me off, too. This is awful. He wants me to have another injection next Monday. Right now, I do not think I am going to follow though -- but will just deal with the pain the best I can. !

If you are experiencing palpitations, chest pain, see your Doctor or go to ER immediately. Have your potassium levels checked promptly to ensure that you have not developed Hyperkalemia (excess potassium) in your blood which is likely and happened to me becuase of the potassium sparing diuretic in Yasmin*. Hyperkalemia can be lethal and is extremely dangerous and a risk taking Yasmin.

Erykah-I haven't seen anyone whose tried/used St. john's Wort but would recommend instead having your hormone levels and your adrenal function tested? Oftentimes, after Yasmin, becuase of the diuretic flushing that occurs (constant peeing/urinating) it throws off our electrolyte and mineral balances in addition to that it suppresses our adrenal glands. I have found success with B vitamins (A B stress tab) or a whole food/bio-available Vitamin*. The whole food and bioavailability part is really important-because it is what makes it more accessible/useable by your body. Also-take a calcium and magnesium supplement if you find you are low on magnesium which is one of the minerals Yasmin's diuretic depletes*. I'm taking one that is equivalent ratios: 1:1-1000 of each because minerals compete with one another so taking a calcium that is higher will not give you the benefit of the magnesium. Low magnesium levels effects the health of all the muscles in our bodies-including the heat and if oftentimes what causes the murmurs/palps.

Kenalog 40% 2cc in shoulder. Depressed pituitary/adrenal function- cortisol levels went to nonexistent. ACTH levels non-existent. Neither adrenal nor pituitary funtioning- had to take small dose of prednisone (2 mg) for ten days to keep from going into adrenal crisis- never felt so exhausted, so weak in my life- and I have fibromyalgia. Moon face, FACIAL HAIR on the sides of my face (and loss of hair on scalp, under arms, legs)- and I am a very fair Caucasian FEMALE- will this hair GO AWAY- one endocrinologist says yes- in 1.5 years, another says no, the dermatologist has never heard of it, and the orthopedic surgeon who administered the shot into shoulder says he has never seen this reaction. MD'S ARE PATHETIC- 35% OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSES ARE INCORRECT.
Yes- it relieved the pain in my shoulder- torn labrum- temporarily, and it cleared up my facial eczema- temporarily- but at what COST. I have been an invalid for the three months since the injection, although my cortisol levels are starting to rise again. Also- had ALLERGIC reaction at time of injection- about two minutes after the shot, I had problems focusing my eyes, was nauseated, disoriented, had diarrhea- was told this was an ANXIETY reaction- even though I went to the ER later, they also told me "everything was fine."
ANY EXPERIENCE WITH FACIAL HAIR- is it reversible with time? In despair....