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Feel Normal After Taking Hydrocortisone But Again Feel Illness. Suggest
Question: I am new to hydrocortisone and am noticing that I feel good for about 4 hours after taking it and then just drop. (blood pressure, energy & just feel sick. When I take my 2nd dose, I don't get relief and feel (jittery) Is there a way that I can get ACTH directly so then my body will (in theory) produce the cortisol that I need through receiving the ACTH? When I was given the ACTH stimulation test awhile back I felt normal again after the injection. My b/p went up to normal from 60/40 and the illness disappeared. My doctor said that ACTH isn't available in prescription form, but I read that it is for my condition. Can you explain what is available to me.
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in. Im not sure what dose of hydrocortisone are you on. You can take 3 times daily in the dose of 10-5-5 or can try a higher dose 15-5 -5 for some time. You cant take ACTH directly. Its only available for diagnostic use. ACTH injections cannot bring about regulated steroid synthesis so it isn't used in this condition. You can try a longer acting steroid prednisone instead of hydrocortisone but in long run it may have more adverse effects. Sometimes along with hydrocortisone I tend to add DHEAS and some of my patients do feel better with it. This is one option you can discuss with your doctor. You should also check your electrolytes to ensure they are in normal range. I have to say this- vast majority of patients with central hypoadrenalism are on hydrocortisone and have done quite well in long run. Its the safest and best bet. I think initial jitteriness may need to be handled by a higher/ more frequent dosing and you will get used to it in a few weeks time. All said and done its the most physiological way of replacing glucocorticoids available yet.
Hope this helps
Shivaprasad
Thanks for writing in. Im not sure what dose of hydrocortisone are you on. You can take 3 times daily in the dose of 10-5-5 or can try a higher dose 15-5 -5 for some time. You cant take ACTH directly. Its only available for diagnostic use. ACTH injections cannot bring about regulated steroid synthesis so it isn't used in this condition. You can try a longer acting steroid prednisone instead of hydrocortisone but in long run it may have more adverse effects. Sometimes along with hydrocortisone I tend to add DHEAS and some of my patients do feel better with it. This is one option you can discuss with your doctor. You should also check your electrolytes to ensure they are in normal range. I have to say this- vast majority of patients with central hypoadrenalism are on hydrocortisone and have done quite well in long run. Its the safest and best bet. I think initial jitteriness may need to be handled by a higher/ more frequent dosing and you will get used to it in a few weeks time. All said and done its the most physiological way of replacing glucocorticoids available yet.
Hope this helps
Shivaprasad
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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