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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Jul 11, 2017 3:04:16 GMT
Hi everyone!-
I just had an appointment with my LLMD. I am struggling with a lot of fatigue.
My thyroid numbers have been low lately, and my GP has been working on this with me. I have been taking a new thyroid med for the last couple of months.
When I was talking to my LLMD, she wrote me a prescription for Hydrocortisone. She thinks that my adrenals are struggling.
I guess that I am wondering, how safe is it to start treating your adrenals without being tested?
I do know about the 24 hour saliva test for adrenals, but I never did this.
I did have a hormone saliva test a couple of years ago before I knew that I had Lyme. The results showed that I was low on Progesterone and Testosterone. I got capsules for both of these hormones through a compound pharmacy. In all honesty, I didn't notice any changing for the better, so I stopped after several months.
Does anyone have any thoughts about taking Hydrocortisone?
Thank You!
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Post by razzle on Jul 11, 2017 14:49:28 GMT
Avoid it if you can - the drug is not the best substitute for the real thing. Instead, try increasing your Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and Vitamin C a little and see if that helps - these two nutrients taken together stimulate adrenal hormone output and feed & support the adrenal gland.
Make sure to also get sufficient Magnesium, which is an anti-stress mineral that is extremely important (magnesium is used by over 300 enzymes in the human body, and also I've read that muscles cannot relax without sufficient magnesium). If taking oral magnesium gives you digestive troubles (known side-effect of most forms of magnesium), then you can try topical Magnesium (magnesium "oil" or soak in Epsom Salts baths frequently).
There are also some adrenal-supportive herbs, such as gensing, that some find helpful. Be sure to ask about interactions with your other medications - talk to your pharmacist about this, they're usually more aware of drug-food & drug-herb interactions than most regular MD's; some Lyme-literate docs are also pretty savvy about interactions, if they use herbals in addition to prescription drugs with the bulk of their patients.
Take care,
-Razzle
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Post by girlie on Jul 11, 2017 20:18:34 GMT
I wouldn't take hydrocortisone without a test to see that you were deficient first.
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Jul 12, 2017 0:15:39 GMT
I would agree with both Girlie and Razzle on this. I didn't know about the B5 - and will be adding that in myself as soon as I get past these next few weeks. Thanks, Razzle!
I also use ashwagandha, which is an adaptogen (helping to balance the adrenals) as well as a homeopathic remedy for adrenal support.
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Jul 12, 2017 16:46:21 GMT
Avoid it if you can - the drug is not the best substitute for the real thing. Instead, try increasing your Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and Vitamin C a little and see if that helps - these two nutrients taken together stimulate adrenal hormone output and feed & support the adrenal gland. Make sure to also get sufficient Magnesium, which is an anti-stress mineral that is extremely important (magnesium is used by over 300 enzymes in the human body, and also I've read that muscles cannot relax without sufficient magnesium). If taking oral magnesium gives you digestive troubles (known side-effect of most forms of magnesium), then you can try topical Magnesium (magnesium "oil" or soak in Epsom Salts baths frequently). There are also some adrenal-supportive herbs, such as gensing, that some find helpful. Be sure to ask about interactions with your other medications - talk to your pharmacist about this, they're usually more aware of drug-food & drug-herb interactions than most regular MD's; some Lyme-literate docs are also pretty savvy about interactions, if they use herbals in addition to prescription drugs with the bulk of their patients. Take care, -Razzle Hi Razzle!-
Thank you so very much for all the information that you gave me! I am Homozygous MTHFR A1298C. I wonder if the vitamin B5 will be a good thing or bad? I know that I have to be careful with B vitamins due to this gene mutation.
Thank you for the reminder about Magnesium! I have taken Natural Calm Magnesium in the past when I would have issues with constipation. I will try taking a lower dose daily and see if that helps.
Thank You!
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Jul 12, 2017 16:51:44 GMT
I wouldn't take hydrocortisone without a test to see that you were deficient first. Hi Girlie!!!!-
I agree! I never filled my RX for the Hydrocortisone, I thought that I would come here first to get some suggestions of other things to try first.
Thank You!
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Post by Little Bear (LB) on Jul 12, 2017 17:03:37 GMT
I would agree with both Girlie and Razzle on this. I didn't know about the B5 - and will be adding that in myself as soon as I get past these next few weeks. Thanks, Razzle! I also use ashwagandha, which is an adaptogen (helping to balance the adrenals) as well as a homeopathic remedy for adrenal support. Hi Traveler!-
Thank You for your response! Since I'm Homozygous MTHFR A1298C, do you think that the vitamin B5 would be a good or bad choice for me? If you don't know that is Ok.
Thank you for the reminder of ashwagandha. I have seen you mentioning this herb in the past. I will look into it.
Thank You!
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Jul 14, 2017 12:19:01 GMT
LB, I am not sure on the B5, and won't be able to look it up until I get back home now. Sorry!
Do be sure to let us know what you decide on!
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