solumedrol and hormones (still off topic?)

[Guest guest]

Hey gang,

Saw the posts about IV solumedrol going around and just have to throw my penny in the pond on this topic. While I am not an MSer (at least my brain MRI is clean- seeing a neuro for a final ruling next week tho), I am an autoimmune patient. And as most of you know AI diseases tend to cluster in people, I have more than one, as well as in families. Genetically I am between a rock and a rock for autoimmunity.

I suffer from bouts of clinical (and sometimes sub-clinical) Hypoadrenia...or Adrenal Insufficiency. I see a few posts from people (sweet !) who had a horrible time with this med.

It is yucky, scary stuff and here is the main reason why...when you take the Solumedrol (which is a cortico-steroid) it sends a message to your Adrenals to stop producing - the work is being done. It also supresses the immune system but that is not the real problem with this drug. When the injections are discontinued- symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can rear their ugly heads...dizzy spells, pale skin and white lips, tremor, near fainting or fainting on standing up, loss of appetite, weight loss, sudden drop in BP especially when you stand up, etc.

I was given just a single dose of that med during my Thyroidectomy...did not find this out until about 2 weeks post-op when my cortisol levels bottomed out... I was going into adrenal failure.

No fun! Had no choice but to go on a "physiologic" dose of Cortef (hydrocortisone- not as strong a steroid) until my own adrenals could wake up and pick up the slack. A physiologic dose simply means "replacement" so not more than the body would make on its own. Whereas IV solumedrol is a gigant-a-dose, hence the side effects.

Personally, I steer as far away from steroids as I can except for Plant Sterols. One of my earlier posts mentions a product called Moducare by Thorne Laboratories. It stimulates the immune system, but in a good way (kind of like LDN does)...

plant sterolins/sterols help re-regulate the immune system and also balance out adrenal function.

Since I've been on this product I haven't had any more problems with adrenal fatigue (except for the week I forgot to take it!).

As for transdermal hormones...this is for Arlene and especially...

If you are using two topically applied medicines, like LDN and progesterone cream, just rotate where you put it each time.

That is the rule of thumb for progesterone creams anyway. Rotate location of application with each dose.

You can pick up a good progesterone cream like the one I mentioned earlier but there are also several compounding pharmacies that can make up a good cream for you. I don't see any reason why LDN cream and Progesta. cream would interact in a negative way. Just MHO again.

Last note and then off to bed (hopefully to rest!)...I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous of all you lucky

buggers who are already on the LDN. I want to start taking it right now more than anything! But I know that I have to wait until after my liver biopsy on July 8th. I want that frigging Hepatologist to see an untouched picture of my liver health, antibodies, viral load, etc. THEN I start the LDN and watch his jaw drop when my viral load goes down, down, down. :-)

But in the meantime I am counting the days until I can start.

Anyone doing transdermal application- I would love feedback as to pain relief. Does it seem to help more applied topically or taken orally? I have a bee's hive of ills to clear up here. I want my thyroid antibodies to go down (even tho' I've got no gland left I still have the auto immunity), I want my neuropathy/fibromy-a-whatsis to get better, I want my B12 levels to stabilize so the pernicious anemia will go away, I want my celiac antibodies to go away (just found out I am a weak positive for that AI disease, too) and I want to beat this HepC crap. My thyroid group is waiting with baited breath to hear if it causes my thyroid ab's to drop or go away. If it does you will be hearing from a whole lotta thyroid patients!

As for any further supplement ????, anyone can email me and I'll share what I know. I don't do professional consults anymore, been too busy with kids and my own health. I was told by one of my 'ologists that my years of eating well and taking good supplements probably staved off my AI disease. And I firmly believe that continuing to eat well and take the proper supplements will help the LDN do its job. I can only offer suggestions on what i would do for myself but I would be happy to share any info you like.

Happy Hormones to all and to all a good night!

Lara

[Guest guest]

Hello Lara

I must continue a while longer with the transdermal before I can tell you anything about pain relief, but as of now I must say I find none derived from that method.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Reg.

-------Original Message-------

From: low dose naltrexone

Date: 06/06/04 02:06:19

low dose naltrexone

Subject: [low dose naltrexone] solumedrol and hormones (still off topic?)

Hey gang,

Saw the posts about IV solumedrol going around and just have to throw my penny in the pond on this topic. While I am not an MSer (at least my brain MRI is clean- seeing a neuro for a final ruling next week tho), I am an autoimmune patient. And as most of you know AI diseases tend to cluster in people, I have more than one, as well as in families. Genetically I am between a rock and a rock for autoimmunity.

I suffer from bouts of clinical (and sometimes sub-clinical) Hypoadrenia...or Adrenal Insufficiency. I see a few posts from people (sweet !) who had a horrible time with this med.

It is yucky, scary stuff and here is the main reason why...when you take the Solumedrol (which is a cortico-steroid) it sends a message to your Adrenals to stop producing - the work is being done. It also supresses the immune system but that is not the real problem with this drug. When the injections are discontinued- symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can rear their ugly heads...dizzy spells, pale skin and white lips, tremor, near fainting or fainting on standing up, loss of appetite, weight loss, sudden drop in BP especially when you stand up, etc.

I was given just a single dose of that med during my Thyroidectomy...did not find this out until about 2 weeks post-op when my cortisol levels bottomed out... I was going into adrenal failure.

No fun! Had no choice but to go on a "physiologic" dose of Cortef (hydrocortisone- not as strong a steroid) until my own adrenals could wake up and pick up the slack. A physiologic dose simply means "replacement" so not more than the body would make on its own. Whereas IV solumedrol is a gigant-a-dose, hence the side effects.

Personally, I steer as far away from steroids as I can except for Plant Sterols. One of my earlier posts mentions a product called Moducare by Thorne Laboratories. It stimulates the immune system, but in a good way (kind of like LDN does)...

plant sterolins/sterols help re-regulate the immune system and also balance out adrenal function.

Since I've been on this product I haven't had any more problems with adrenal fatigue (except for the week I forgot to take it!).

As for transdermal hormones...this is for Arlene and especially...

If you are using two topically applied medicines, like LDN and progesterone cream, just rotate where you put it each time.

That is the rule of thumb for progesterone creams anyway. Rotate location of application with each dose.

You can pick up a good progesterone cream like the one I mentioned earlier but there are also several compounding pharmacies that can make up a good cream for you. I don't see any reason why LDN cream and Progesta. cream would interact in a negative way. Just MHO again.

Last note and then off to bed (hopefully to rest!)...I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous of all you lucky

buggers who are already on the LDN. I want to start taking it right now more than anything! But I know that I have to wait until after my liver biopsy on July 8th. I want that frigging Hepatologist to see an untouched picture of my liver health, antibodies, viral load, etc. THEN I start the LDN and watch his jaw drop when my viral load goes down, down, down. :-)

But in the meantime I am counting the days until I can start.

Anyone doing transdermal application- I would love feedback as to pain relief. Does it seem to help more applied topically or taken orally? I have a bee's hive of ills to clear up here. I want my thyroid antibodies to go down (even tho' I've got no gland left I still have the auto immunity), I want my neuropathy/fibromy-a-whatsis to get better, I want my B12 levels to stabilize so the pernicious anemia will go away, I want my celiac antibodies to go away (just found out I am a weak positive for that AI disease, too) and I want to beat this HepC crap. My thyroid group is waiting with baited breath to hear if it causes my thyroid ab's to drop or go away. If it does you will be hearing from a whole lotta thyroid patients!

As for any further supplement ????, anyone can email me and I'll share what I know. I don't do professional consults anymore, been too busy with kids and my own health. I was told by one of my 'ologists that my years of eating well and taking good supplements probably staved off my AI disease. And I firmly believe that continuing to eat well and take the proper supplements will help the LDN do its job. I can only offer suggestions on what i would do for myself but I would be happy to share any info you like.

Happy Hormones to all and to all a good night!

Lara

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here