For Shelly in Utah

[Guest guest]

Dear ,I just wanted to say I'm so glad you called yesterday..I hope you're reading the messages on the group, and will keep me updated.I looked up the shot you mentioned-- the Kenalog--and the side effects, and I did have some big concerns about this. It sounds like you were very unfortunate in having this doctor suggest it to you. I'm so sorry! Just when you were making such good progress, too.There are a number of side effects listed:Endocrine: Corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal

(HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency

after withdrawal of treatment.

Metabolic clearance of corticosteroids is decreased in hypothyroid

patients and increased in hyperthyroid patients. Changes in thyroid status

of the patient may necessitate adjustment in dosage."The symptoms you discussed sounded like immune system stress....and if that could be considered HPA axis suppression, at least you have the positive suggestion that it is REVERSIBLE. That is good news!Then there were these side effects:Fungal Infections

Corticosteroids may exacerbate systemic fungal infections and therefore

should not be used in the presence of such infections unless they are needed

to control drug reactions. There have been cases reported in which concomitant

use of amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement

and congestive heart failure (see PRECAUTIONS: Drug

Interactions: Amphotericin B injection and potassium-depleting

agents).

Special Pathogens

Latent disease may be activated or there may be an exacerbation

of intercurrent infections due to pathogens, including those caused by

Amoeba, Candida, Cryptococcus, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Pneumocystis,

Toxoplasma. It may be that you were still dealing with some type of unresolved infection too that had not been fully cleared up...do you know if you had Candida, or mycobacteria? Women with implants have had such issues with fungal infections, so this may have been the culprit for your reaction.In any case, it's impossible to know why you reacted unless you find a doctor who understands these reactions, and the best thing I can suggest is to continue taking care of yourself as you were, and perhaps add in some additional supplements, such as Vit C and the things that will help clear up any lingering viral, fungal, or bacterial infections. Things such as raw garlic (as many as 12 cloves a day, as we discussed with chicken or in broth, or however you can get it down!) oregano oil, olive leaf extract, and grapefruit seed extract will help strengthen your immune system. Anything you can do to reduce your

infectious load will be beneficial. And it should be ongoing to keep your immune system strong.As we discussed, Vit C is necessary for adrenal gland strength, and that might be a good supplement for you to get on and increase the dosage regularly until you reach your bowel tolerance limit. You may find you have a high need for it, or you could have a very low threshold, so the only thing you can do to find out how much you need on a daily basis is to start at the lowest dose (probably 1000 mg a day) and then ratchet it up every day until you reach bowel tolerance (evidenced by diarrhea). You are in my prayers, and I did pray for you when we got off the phone...I hope you feel comforted knowing that I'm just a phone call away if you need to talk again. I hope you can find the answers you need and get back on track to feeling wonderful again.Take care and God

bless,Patty