Reaction to switching prednisone to hydrocortisone

Hi @melbourneaussie69, I’m Amy. I’ve had NSIP, ILD, and chronic respiratory failure since 2004. I’ve been on prednisone for 21 years. Medrol (Methylprednisolone) works better for me. (Medrol 4 mg tablet = Prednisone 5 mg). I use Bio K liquid probiotics and Kefir to help with GI upset. They are both available at Sprouts, Whole Foods, and I think, Amazon, too.

I hope you feel better soon!

Hi Amy, thank you for that information I will be raising this as an option at my next lung clinic appointment. Is it better regarding mood? My issue with Prednisolone is it causes aggression sporadically, especially if I am under stress. I had no idea it affected gut health and will be also mentioning that with my lung specialist. I really appreciate the fact you have taken the time to inform me of these facts. I am post-transplant and locked in with no option but to take some form of steroid. I hope you live a long and happy life, my ILD was extremely aggressive and seemed to accelerate upon being diagnosed and placed on 50mg of prednisolone. This sent me crazy, the dosage was lowered to 25mg, and I was still unable to control my mood. I woke one day and sat up unresponsive due to hypoxia and was taken to hospital where I spent five months. I received a transplant and now live in hope of beating the odds as I am five years in now and statistically, I have an 87% chance of dying in the next five years. I will aim at being the 13% that survive. Thank you once again.

Hello again ... well that didn't last long, I still have swelling and after having a very detailed talk with my endocrinologist, I again switched back to hydrocortisone because I may be in congestive heart failure. I am waiting for an echo cardiogram to see if they can come to a conclusion about it.
I also am waiting for that fine needle aspiration of the very suspicious thyroid nodule which my endo was very frank about ... she thinks it is thyroid cancer ... I wasn't shocked about her assessment from they ultra sound and radiologist report .. but being hit by both major knock backs , I feel exhausted .
Melbourne & Amy ... I used to research so many supplements but always found the biome gut health a major factor in keeping your whole health in better condition .. probiotics in supplement or food can help immensely.
So yes ! ... keep that in mind, also Vit D ... I'm in Canada so winter is super important but even in summer if I am not out much, I keep Vit D going ... science is finding out just how important Vit D really is !

I have found your appetite is insatiable on prednisolone, I am on Ozempic to treat my diabetes which solved that problem for me. I sincerely hope you are lucky enough not to get diabetes.

I am insulin free now thanks to Ozempic and Metformin which control my blood sugar. I still struggle to control my mood on the odd occasion, but it is what it is as they say.

Hello again .... Have you had any of the scary side affects from ozempic, etc ... the nausea, gastro complications .. side affects in general that would scare me from it all .. I am miserable since I have gained maybe 25 lbs .. all of my diseases, conditions, usually have patients thin from them all. I just keep getting bigger and that is scary just by itself let alone what else is going to happen.
Thank you for your insight and information !

Initially I had everything you have mentioned, without the gastro.
I am sitting at 86kgs (175lbs) and was 215lbs, I do find myself easily put off eating.
The issue with Ozempic is you not only lose fat, but you also lose muscle.
Therefore, you have to do exercise or stay active to counter this.
Ozempic slows the food going through your body making you feel full longer.
It is not for everyone but it sure works.
Like all medication you have to weigh up the benefits.
I have type 2 diabetes, and it controls blood sugar very well.

I only have glucose problems when my asthma flares up and put on IVIG cortisone. I am not diabetic. Never have been and it does not run in my family. I could not take ozempic due to gastroparsis from my severe neuropathy.

I'd like to thank everyone for their input.
I have a lot to think about and more to come, so I will try and stay calm and collected about it all.
Or ? ... sit in the corner nd have a good cry ? LOL

Thanks again !

Recommendation I break it in half take 1/2 at 8 am and then take the other 1/2 at 2:30.
I was put on 50 mgs a day. I divided it into 1/4’s 8 am 12 pm
4 pm then 8 pm. The side effects are not as bad. I worked as an RN an recommended that to some of our patients. The doctor said it was okay for transplant patients because you are still getting your whole dosage. It makes the side effects not so bad.