Guest guest Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi Jen, I've recently lowered my doseage to 25mg on good days but 27.5 on bad days. It was at 35 mg so I consider this to be great progress. I wasn't able to lower my HC at all until I gave up sugar - it's very hard on the adrenals - and then many of my adrenal symptoms subsided. I don't HAVE to take my HC every four hours unless I'm having a really stressful day and I don't get the internal shakes, the nausea and the salt cravings like I used to. It sounds like you either went down too fast on the HC or it was just too soon for you to try reducing. Did you have any stressful occurences? (sp?) I take my HC 10mg first thing, 7.5mg, 5 mg and sometimes I have a final 5mg dose in the evening but there are times when I simply don't need that last dose. I also find that I sleep better without the extra cortisol. I think perhaps your second dose could have been higher and the third possibly a bit lower. I get my HC from International Pharmacy. Luv Bella > > Hi guys. I was working my way down on the HC, considering Dr Skinner > was > > How do you guys who take HC take your doses? I was down to 12.5mg in > the morning, 5 at 11am and 5 more at 4pm, but i'm not sure that's > best. I'm back to 20mg in the morning and i'm trying to suss out what > to do with the other 10mg in the afternoon - divide or no? Timing? > > Does anyone have any specific way they do it, and why? > > And procuring it (if Dr Skinner can't prescribe any more...)? > > Thanks guys. > Jen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Bella, Well it wasnt too soon, I've been on HC for over 2 years this time. This is the third time I've been on HC since 2001 :/ I dont think i went too fast either, i started reducing from 35mg back in JULY and had gotten down to 22.5mg, slowly, when all this happened. I'm back on 30mg and feeling like myself again. My fat self :/ I take 20mg in the morning, as even 15mg first thing wasn't enough (i tried!!), and then i take 10mg at 2pm, and this gets me through and doesnt keep me up late. Just seems pricy at IPS for cortisone, i was hoping there was somewhere cheaper like Inhouse Pharmacy maybe? Dunno. Thanks! Jen > > Hi Jen, > I've recently lowered my doseage to 25mg on good days but 27.5 on > bad days. It was at 35 mg so I consider this to be great progress. > I wasn't able to lower my HC at all until I gave up sugar - it's > very hard on the adrenals - and then many of my adrenal symptoms > subsided. I don't HAVE to take my HC every four hours unless I'm > having a really stressful day and I don't get the internal shakes, > the nausea and the salt cravings like I used to. > It sounds like you either went down too fast on the HC or it was > just too soon for you to try reducing. Did you have any stressful > occurences? (sp?) > I take my HC 10mg first thing, 7.5mg, 5 mg and sometimes I have a > final 5mg dose in the evening but there are times when I simply > don't need that last dose. I also find that I sleep better without > the extra cortisol. I think perhaps your second dose could have > been higher and the third possibly a bit lower. > > I get my HC from International Pharmacy. > Luv Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hi Jen, We're all different and if that dosing schedule works for you then there's no reason to change it. You may be one of those people who simply can't manage without the HC. Some people need it for a long time and some people never manage to wean off of it but if that's what you have to do in order to achieve a decent quality of life then so be it. Are you also at optimum doseage of thyroid meds? This sometimes has a bearing on HC needs. Have you looked at the price for the generic HC from West-ward Pharmaceutical at IP? It's considerably cheaper than Cortef and I haven't heard of anyone else that supplies HC without prescription. So if you know of anyone else I'd be interested to know who because it's far better to have a choice of suppliers in case of emergencies. I'm so sorry that I can't be of much help, you sound like you've tried so hard to reduce your HC slowly and carefully. I hope that come the Summer you are able to make a reduction that will be maintainable. Luv Bella > > Hi Bella, > Well it wasnt too soon, I've been on HC for over 2 years this time. > This is the third time I've been on HC since 2001 :/ > > I dont think i went too fast either, i started reducing from 35mg back > in JULY and had gotten down to 22.5mg, slowly, when all this happened. > > I'm back on 30mg and feeling like myself again. My fat self :/ I take > 20mg in the morning, as even 15mg first thing wasn't enough (i > tried!!), and then i take 10mg at 2pm, and this gets me through and > doesnt keep me up late. > > Just seems pricy at IPS for cortisone, i was hoping there was > somewhere cheaper like Inhouse Pharmacy maybe? Dunno. > > Thanks! > Jen > > > > > > Hi Jen, > > I've recently lowered my doseage to 25mg on good days but 27.5 on > > bad days. It was at 35 mg so I consider this to be great progress. > > I wasn't able to lower my HC at all until I gave up sugar - it's > > very hard on the adrenals - and then many of my adrenal symptoms > > subsided. I don't HAVE to take my HC every four hours unless I'm > > having a really stressful day and I don't get the internal shakes, > > the nausea and the salt cravings like I used to. > > It sounds like you either went down too fast on the HC or it was > > just too soon for you to try reducing. Did you have any stressful > > occurences? (sp?) > > I take my HC 10mg first thing, 7.5mg, 5 mg and sometimes I have a > > final 5mg dose in the evening but there are times when I simply > > don't need that last dose. I also find that I sleep better without > > the extra cortisol. I think perhaps your second dose could have > > been higher and the third possibly a bit lower. > > > > I get my HC from International Pharmacy. > > Luv Bella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hi Bella, I hope i'm reaching optimum on thyroid - its been really tough, with increased stress of moving house in a few weeks, the increased physical demands of walking more than 4 miles a day now doing the school run, etc. Its all so complicated. Back in May i had a FT4 of 15.1 (12-22) and FT3 of 5.1 (3.9 - 6.8), TSH nil as usual, on 4 grains so it stands to reason that when i added in all sorts of walking and stress, i needed more, hence the 7lbs weight gain from July - September. I've added in 25mcg T4 and am waiting for it to stabilise so i can get bloods, and will probably need even more, but Dr S didnt sanction it, i did it off my own back. Life is so hectic and busy, and I can't get by with doing a few hours' of stuff and then sitting down the rest of the day any more - school's a lot further away and I have to be able to rise to the challenge. Yeah the cortisone thing is complicated too. I havent told my GP i'm even on it because the last ones i told, kicked me out of the surgery 2 years ago (Dec 05). I have an 'endo' at the local hospital I'm supposed to see on the 15th November, but i'm afraid to even mention it to them because they'll blame 40lbs weight gain in 2 years on the steroid, and then probably complain about who prescribed it. I'd have to lie and say i imported it to keep Dr S out of trouble, i'm sure. And then they'd tell my GP, who would doubtless kick me out for not being able to trust me, etc. Its so awkward. On the one hand, i want to be able to get my steroid for free, and the NHS to recognise and understand my condition, and any emergencies be catered for in future, like childbirth, etc. But on the other hand, they never will accept it, or else blame it on me for causing the condition by taking the steroid in the first place, and its just a great big mess that I don't know how to solve. We're not rich so its awkward to think of importing it. As is, i pay about £11 for 3 months' worth, a reasonable price for my health - the Armour costs enough, and I dont take the real Armour, i take the generic that IPS sell because I can't afford the real thing! Sorry for the novel. Jen > > Hi Jen, > We're all different and if that dosing schedule works for you then > there's no reason to change it. > You may be one of those people who simply can't manage without the > HC. Some people need it for a long time and some people never > manage to wean off of it but if that's what you have to do in order > to achieve a decent quality of life then so be it. > > Are you also at optimum doseage of thyroid meds? This sometimes has > a bearing on HC needs. > > Have you looked at the price for the generic HC from West-ward > Pharmaceutical at IP? It's considerably cheaper than Cortef and I > haven't heard of anyone else that supplies HC without prescription. > So if you know of anyone else I'd be interested to know who because > it's far better to have a choice of suppliers in case of emergencies. > > I'm so sorry that I can't be of much help, you sound like you've > tried so hard to reduce your HC slowly and carefully. I hope that > come the Summer you are able to make a reduction that will be > maintainable. > Luv Bella > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hi Jen, I use IPS and think it's cheap- I'm getting pred, what are you buying? I've given up trying to reduce- after 7 years my health deteriorates and leaves me vunerable to colds etc if I lower dose. Just seems pricy at IPS for cortisone, i was hoping there was somewhere cheaper like Inhouse Pharmacy maybe? Dunno. Thanks! Jen > > Hi Jen, > I've recently lowered my doseage to 25mg on good days but 27.5 on > bad days. It was at 35 mg so I consider this to be great progress. > I wasn't able to lower my HC at all until I gave up sugar - it's > very hard on the adrenals - and then many of my adrenal symptoms > subsided. I don't HAVE to take my HC every four hours unless I'm > having a really stressful day and I don't get the internal shakes, > the nausea and the salt cravings like I used to. > It sounds like you either went down too fast on the HC or it was > just too soon for you to try reducing. Did you have any stressful > occurences? (sp?) > I take my HC 10mg first thing, 7.5mg, 5 mg and sometimes I have a > final 5mg dose in the evening but there are times when I simply > don't need that last dose. I also find that I sleep better without > the extra cortisol. I think perhaps your second dose could have > been higher and the third possibly a bit lower. > > I get my HC from International Pharmacy. > Luv Bella Messages are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified practitioner before changing medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 How do you guys who take HC take your doses? I was down to 12.5mg inthe morning, 5 at 11am and 5 more at 4pm, but i'm not sure that'sbest. I'm back to 20mg in the morning and i'm trying to suss out whatto do with the other 10mg in the afternoon - divide or no? Timing?Does anyone have any specific way they do it, and why?And procuring it (if Dr Skinner can't prescribe any more...)?Thanks guys.Jen Hi Jen, If you take that much hc first thing you will stop your adrenal glands helping much later in the day. Personally I would never take more than 10mg first thing, reduce the mgs per dose as the day goes on & also leave 2.5mg for when you go to bed (literally as you get into bed) which will mean that you are less depleted when you wake up. If you need to take 30mg total I would take more doses rather than larger doses, and also closer together earlier in the day - perhaps only 3 hours apart then, but you may be able to go much longer say late afternoon. You can buy it easy enough from internationalpharmacy.com both cortef hc & generic. You do not have to worry about not being able to get it as I believe you can buy hc cream from a chemist, although then you would need a syringe (without needle) to get a precise dosage - personally I hope we never need to go down this route. Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 I'm back on 30mg and feeling like myself again. My fat self :/ I take20mg in the morning, as even 15mg first thing wasn't enough (itried!!), and then i take 10mg at 2pm, and this gets me through anddoesnt keep me up lateJen You may need this much hc first thing because you are so depleted from the day before. If you add in a tiny bedtime dose after about a week I would expect you to need less first thing & also feel better during the morning. Taking so much firstthing will stop your adrenal helping you out much later & so will make you depleted. Val Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 After reading some recent postings, I decided to follow-up on the link to check on the adrenals. After reading it, having many of the symptoms, and doing some self-tests, I think this could be an issue I have been chasing for a while (I also have Hashi's...I take a 180mg of Armour & 50mg of Iodine daily). I know there are a lot of posts scattered out here about adrenals but would someone be so kind as to help me get started on where to begin? I saw that there is some over the counter recommendations but it seems that the prescription was mostly recommended. Will doctors prescribe this without a battery of tests? Maybe some of you have had experience with Dr. Brownstein as I am a patient of his...does he support the adrenal theory? Since I can't get a prescription anytime soon, should I start the over the counter process and see how it works? Can someone recommend a brand name? Sorry about all the questions but I am excited to think I may have found something that could be responsible for the lousy way I feel. Thank you. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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