Adrenal insufficiency

Posted by suzanne63040 @suzanne63040, Nov 13 10:47am

A year ago I was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. I have been treated with prednisone for 12 years for polymyalgia rheumatica an autoimmune disease. My adrenal glands had atrophied . I was hospitalized for adrenal crisis. I am also experiencing orthostatic hypotension, My neurologist determined that I have dysautonomia which he is still trying to treat. My G.I. doctor diagnosed me with a motility disorder as well, Then while trying to treat my chronically low blood pressure I had a hemorrhagic stroke. So it’s been a very busy year. currently we are trying to lower my prednisone from 10 mg down to at least 5 mg. It is a struggle with my blood pressure still an issue I am also on .02 mg of fludrocortisone. Nothing has raised my blood pressure. All of a sudden now as I am down to 8 mg of prednisone my blood pressure is fluctuating up to 151/88.
So I am nervous about another stroke. Could the lowering of the prednisone be changing my blood pressure readings? also after three weeks on 8 mg I tried to go to 7 mg and had so much body pain and also so shaky as if I had caffeine, which I never drink. That made me nervous that perhaps I was going to have an adrenal crisis so I am so worried about this prednisone taper and how long it will take. Could I be experiencing withdrawal from lowering the prednisone too quickly? I’ve gone back to the 8 mgs and then will begin alternating 8 and 7.5 and proceed the taper in that way very slowly.
I have so many issues going on at the same time, and so many different doctors and the overlapping symptoms make treatment so difficult. Anybody else going through this insane health circumstances? I am chronically, fatigued, and.completely overwhelmed. I would love to be seen at Mayo Clinic and have doctors that all work together but they don’t take my insurance which is Anthem BCBS Medicare. I feel like I will never get my normal life back again.

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