HippiMom2

Thanks for asking. It's been kind of a rollercoaster, but fortunately the prednisone has allowed me to keep functioning, even on rough days - I don't know what I would do without it. I've had a lot of stressful life events lately but I think things should hopefully slow down soon. I see my rheumatologist again in December and we'll see what he says about my course of treatment. I really wish prednisone didn't have such nasty long term side effects. Even my worst days now are not as bad as how I felt prior to being on prednisone. It's been encouraging for me to read how you and now hopefully Tru will be getting some positive results based on your own research and hard work. I think you have helped a lot of people and have helped this forum become more active. I hope the endo you will see can offer even more help. Take care Diagnosis:  UCTD (lupus) 2006; Raynauds 2006; Sjogren's 2006; lupus symptoms began 2003; CFS 1991; Mono 1985 Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; Prednisone 5-10mg; Tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg ; Neurontin 300mg; Prevacid; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain; Restasis eye drops   Clickable:   LUPUS INFORMATION & LUPUS RESOURCES . Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: https://www.healingwell.com/donate/

I've seen you talk about Cortef, but haven't taken the time to do any reading about it. I'll have to do some research.. Edit:  I just did some reading about Cortef.  It looks like it is in the same family of corticosteroids (sp).  Do you know if there is a big difference between the two meds?  It didn't look like it to me.  It makes sense that something like prednisone or cortef would work for adrenal fatigue.  Some of the reading I have done about lupus indicates that part of the problem, in addition to connective tissue problems is that the adrenal glands get fried and don't work right anymore.  The prednisone gives your body the same stuff your adrenal glands do.  That's why it is so hard for people to come off prednisone because your adrenal gland doesn't work right anymore and you start feeling rotten when you go on too low of a dose.  The bad thing is that there are negative side effects from long term use.  It looks like Cortef also has the same side effects.  All of this is very interesting.  It seems like the adrenal glands are involved in several different illnesses and diseases. Diagnosis:  UCTD (lupus) 2006; Raynauds 2006; Sjogren's 2006; lupus symptoms began 2003; CFS 1991; Mono 1985 Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; Prednisone 5-10mg; Tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg ; Neurontin 300mg; Prevacid; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain; Restasis eye drops   Clickable:   LUPUS INFORMATION & LUPUS RESOURCES . Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: https://www.healingwell.com/donate/ Post Edited (hippimom2) : 11/12/2006 6:42:26 PM (GMT-7)