pricklypear
04-06-06, 10:31 AM
Hi everyone, I have some concerns about medical treatment for CAH that I would like to share.
I have been prescribed 0,5mg of dexamethasone (decadron) per day for my CAH by an endochrinologist. I only took it for about 3 weeks, then I stopped (I have been off of it for 4 weeks) becuase I heard about the disturbing side-effects etc. I have the 21-hydroxylase deficiency (I think- or is it the 17-hydrox deficiency)My testosterone and ACTH levels are elevated, but my adrenals are just managing to produce enough cortisol. However, it is a strain for my body to meet the quota for cortisol, hence the elevated ACTH and testosterone (by-products of strained production of cortisol). My main complaint for this CAH is excess hair-growth (as far as I know, but I also suspect associated stress problems and it is possibly affecting my sexual organs, but I will only know this for sure once I am checked out by the gynae.)
The side-effects of cortisone drugs that worry me are the develoment of osteoporosis and weight-gain, among other things. At therapeutic levels the cortisone should not cause side-effects, right? But if I already have sufficient cortisol, then by taking cortisone I will have excess in my system, which could lead the the side-effects that I fear. I know that the whole point of taking cortisone is to eventually suppress ACTH levels, and substitute the cortisol artificially to stop the whole starinied cycle of cortisol production, but if it causes side-effects, I am just wondering if it is worth it in the long run.
Does anybody have any advice to offer, or any similar concerns?
Angela
:beer:
I have been prescribed 0,5mg of dexamethasone (decadron) per day for my CAH by an endochrinologist. I only took it for about 3 weeks, then I stopped (I have been off of it for 4 weeks) becuase I heard about the disturbing side-effects etc. I have the 21-hydroxylase deficiency (I think- or is it the 17-hydrox deficiency)My testosterone and ACTH levels are elevated, but my adrenals are just managing to produce enough cortisol. However, it is a strain for my body to meet the quota for cortisol, hence the elevated ACTH and testosterone (by-products of strained production of cortisol). My main complaint for this CAH is excess hair-growth (as far as I know, but I also suspect associated stress problems and it is possibly affecting my sexual organs, but I will only know this for sure once I am checked out by the gynae.)
The side-effects of cortisone drugs that worry me are the develoment of osteoporosis and weight-gain, among other things. At therapeutic levels the cortisone should not cause side-effects, right? But if I already have sufficient cortisol, then by taking cortisone I will have excess in my system, which could lead the the side-effects that I fear. I know that the whole point of taking cortisone is to eventually suppress ACTH levels, and substitute the cortisol artificially to stop the whole starinied cycle of cortisol production, but if it causes side-effects, I am just wondering if it is worth it in the long run.
Does anybody have any advice to offer, or any similar concerns?
Angela
:beer: