Can Dexamethasone Lead To Symptoms Of Cushing’s Syndrome?
Question: Hello, I have Exogenous Cushing’s syndrome due to years of taking prednisone for chronic inflammation primarily of the sinuses.....i was feeling so bad that my endocrinologist recently switched me to Dexamethasone instead...I’m on a low dose of .5 daily and am having the usual symptoms of steroid usage such as not sleeping, hungry, red face, etc.. but i feel great...so much energy!! ...my cortisol levels have been around 1.2-2.4 for the last 3 years so I wear an adrenal insufficiency bracelet....so my question is ..I’m assuming that the use of Dexamethasone will continue to perpetuate the Cushing’s syndrome...I will be trying to half a .75 tablet next week to see if that dosage allows me to feel well. I literally thought in December I wouldn’t be here but a couple of years due to extreme fatigue and extreme muscle pain, so I’m loving this Dexamethasone!
Brief Answer:
About adrenal insufficiency treatment:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Usually we prefer hydrocortisone or prednisone to substitute the function of the adrenal gland, because they have lower corticosteroids effect and a result less possibility for side effects and less possibility for adrenal function blockage.
So, you may discuss with your treating physician to switch to hydrocortisone.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist
About adrenal insufficiency treatment:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Usually we prefer hydrocortisone or prednisone to substitute the function of the adrenal gland, because they have lower corticosteroids effect and a result less possibility for side effects and less possibility for adrenal function blockage.
So, you may discuss with your treating physician to switch to hydrocortisone.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad