Just Diagnosed with Addison's

[chris1021]

Hi there,
I was just diagnosed with Addison's last week. I've been sick for many years.....I was hyperadrenia a year ago, and now I don't have enough cortisol to get me up in the a.m., or enough in the afternoon to keep me above the grass. The doc started me on Cortisol Acetate. It's been a week, and I still feel the same....dreadful!
How long does it take for meds to kick in? I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis...and Rheumatoid Arthritis.....life is so much fun!
I look forward to any suggestions :-) Thank you in advance! Chris

[rumpled]

How much did he give you and just as importantly, how are you taking it (what dose, what times of day?)?

If you have been sick a long time... it may take a while... however, if you are not on the correct dose or taking it correctly, or if you need florinef, additional salt or or meds... then it just may not be all that you need.

With all your other auto-immune issues, I am going to assume the addison's is auto-immune too? I have hashimoto's too and several other auto-immune things as well...

[Hormoneman]

Cortisone acetate has a 1 hour half life. Because of this it's not useful to treat adrenal insufficiency. I've not seen anyone stay on it for very long. Your doc should have started you on hydrocortisone which works for 80% of people with AI. The rest need Medrol.

[mkgbrook]

Dito. I am primary adrenal insufficient. Given my other AIs.. they assume it is AI related too and haven't done the confirmation study. The just know my cortisol was not.

I am doing well on 20 mg of hydrocortisone spread out in 4 - 5 mg doses. I take them in about 3-4 hour increments starting a 6 am ending at 5:30 pm.

Cortisol acetate is too weak. You need a different med.

MG

[chris1021]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and sharing what works for you. I am currently taking 10 mg cortisol acetate at 8am and noon. I assume (don't know for sure yet) that the adrenals are being attacked by my body (like everything else!) ....I've had a very hard time with cortisol being way high (a year ago), so I'm wondering if that's why the doc put me on Cortisol acetate instead of something else (?)....Thank you all for giving me points to talk to the doc about. I'm trying to keep my chin up, but it's very hard sometimes. My best to you all.....