To AR1281A Re: Dysautonomia website

[Jimlow]

Ar,
I'm glad to hear you tested negative for A.I. Adrenal Insufficiency but as Shannon said earlier, if you do have ongoing problems, I would consider cortisol level tests. I too was on Prednisone and you'll need to be off of it for a good while before they can test your cortisol.
This brings up another question (important); Did your low-BP symptoms start AFTER you got on Prednisone? The reason I ask is because once you start weaning off of it (slowly lowering dosage), it is notorious for causing adrenal insufficiency as a withdrawal symptom! Research the web "Prednisone Side Effects and Contraindication" and I guarantee you'll find this info..
Also, If you had the symptoms before the Prednisone, you might do research on the "Dysautonomia Information Network's" website at; www.potsplace.com  and might yeild some info as well.

[ar1281a]

Thanks JimLow, I hadn't seen this posting. It could be that it happened to me, who knows as I'd been on it for a short period. Now, I'm on a different closing schedule, a lot less dramatic than the previous one and I should be done with it in three more days. Thanks again for the info.

[Jimlow]

AR,
Here's a little info. I researched back when I took Prednisone and felt like I was almost dying when I was coming off of it;
At www.rxlist.com, I found under "Prednisone Side Effects"; "ENDOCRINE: Secondary adreno-cortical and pituitary unresponsiveness".
Then at www.druginfo.net, I found a Dr. answering a patient question about withdrawal side effects his ANSWER: "...adrenal insufficiency, Addison's Disease...sometimes requiring another regimen of every other day or third day ommission..."
That second info, by the Dr. is saying the withdrawal that happens when you start lowering the dose, is the same as Addison's Disease. The high dose of synthetic hydrcortisone (cortisol) can suppress your own adrenals but is correctable.

[ar1281a]

Thanks JimLow,

It's hard to say as the low BP is also a sign of your body reacting to the allergy. In other words, my body was going into shock as a result of the spider bite. So Drs say it take time to readjust but I'm on prednisone at the same time...so I guess I'm a complex case. It could be both, it could also be that the stress my body went thru triggered some type of endo imbalanca...I guess only God knows at this point. So, my primary care, my allergist, and my endo are trying to work together to figure it out. I'm starting to feel a bit better, but I was told is not a linear recovery and to expect bumps on the way.

I know the feeling when waiting for the adrenal AB result, will keep u and Shannon in my prayers so they're negative as well.