Adrenal insufficiency

@bfinch2016 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m glad you found this site. I’ll be very honest, I don’t know much about adrenal insufficiency even though my doctor kept telling me that I could have it any day. 8 years later, I still haven’t had any problem with it. A good doctor will tell you about problems that could come up, just so you will be aware of those symptoms causing the problem. You want to be aware and ready to call your doc or go to the ER. Ask your physician what are the most important symptoms to be aware of, and then keep a copy in your wallet. Now that I’ve said that, let’s let the more knowledgeable members give their experiences!

I know a lot about an adrenal insufficiency called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. My adult daughter diagnosed as an 8 year old. Doesn’t produce enough cortisol so takes prednisone. Lots to learn in beginning but gets easier as time goes on. I suspect yours isn’t her disorder but if there’s a more specific diagnosis I might be of help. If you don’t want to share that, I understand.

I read up on Addison’s which is different but more common insufficiency but both require steroids of some kinds for life due to insufficient production of cortisol. The daily dose (along with a second drug you may need to take) covers daily life. But your doctor probably covered stress dosing when you have fever over specific number he/she calculates. Then you take a stress dose because your body can’t make more as it would naturally. We found worst was stomach flu. We would stress dose but then she’d vomit up the pill. That’s when she needed an injection of additional steroid. Didn’t happen often. Assuming you are an adult you can learn how to handle it. She still carries emergency kit in her purse and doesn’t think about it much at 38 with a family and two daughters. Best to you on this learning curve. We called it medical management.

What are your symptoms

I was also just diagnosed with congenital adrenal insufficiency. I see my doctor in a few weeks to find out more.

I’ve also been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency trying to reduce prednisone. I have to take another test in November to see if my adrenal glands have woken up!!!

@goleigh549 I had that problem in my 40’s because we took so much prednisone for asthma back then. My adrenals never woke up. I am in my 70’s and still take hydrocortisone every day. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with PMR. Took Prednisolone for a year then tapered off until symptoms have decreased completely. Now, I have adrenal inefficiency and taking 30 mg of hydrocortisone until my adrenal glands wake up. Doctors are not sure how long that will take. Endocrinologist is trying to taper me off hydrocortisone, but even a small decrease causes a lack of energy and brain fog. Has anyone had adrenal inefficiency and recovered or not?

Any kind of stress whether physical or mental can also torpedo a taper because the body looks for more cortisol in times of stress. We are all stressed to some degree during a taper.

I also have secondary adrenal insufficiency after being on steroids for 7 years. That’s a common dosing schedule for the condition. The dose is usually higher in the morning with a lower dose in the afternoon, mimicking the body’s own glucocortoid production. You’ll be advised to take “stress dosing” if you’re sick, stressed, or before any kind of surgery. It’s a good idea to have a glucocortoid kit on hand and to keep a card in your wallet that explains your condition in the event of an emergency. Good luck 🙂