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Post by snowgirl on Dec 4, 2008 9:35:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. It may be a moot point, since I just had a second doc tell me I don't need it. I have an appointment with a third next week, so we'll see if I can find somebody who agrees with you.
I have one more question. I noticed a real improvement in my energy just from going on the HC. Yet on one of the other boards, a number of people said it's a common mistake to think energy comes from HC when it really comes from optimizing your thyroid. Since I'm stuck at one grain while I try to get this florinef thing figured out, my energy has been less than ideal - some days are great and others I still need to take a nap. Do you have any comments about energy from HC vs. energy from Armour?
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Post by snowgirl on Dec 4, 2008 9:52:19 GMT -5
Let me rephrase that last question a little more clearly - if complete energy only comes from fully optimized thyroid, how are you supposed to know if the HC isn't enough and you really need medrol before being fully optimized on thyroid?
Thanks!
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Post by Lethal Lee on Dec 6, 2008 23:56:45 GMT -5
Hi There,
If you cant get Doc to RX Florinef you could try playing with HC dose & timing. From what you said before it seems you do get some Mineralocorticoid effect from the HC.
You are currently on 27.5 mg HC. Why dont you try 2.5 to 5 mg higher and spread the 30-32.5 mg over 5 doses? You may find that helps enough at least for the present.
You can also try more Sea Salt and Potassium to try & acheive a better balance.
Lots of things affect energy either directly or indirectly. HC affects it indirectly by helping blood sugar regulation & glucose utilisation. HC also enables Thyroid Hormones to get into cells. I think Electrolytes play an important part too if imbalances there then dehydration affects EVERYTHING else. Plus Adrenaline uses up energy when body is stressed & dehydration is a BIG stressor.
As to whether you need a longer acting steroid like Medrol that depends on a number of things too. Like how quickly you metabolise HC if too quick a longer acting one is better. Also if the Mineralocorticoid properties of HC are an issue for you then Medrol (which has LESS Mineralocorticoid) may be better. Malabsorption issues affect how well you breakdown the steroids too. Some people just do better (individual variability) on a particular steroid than any other.
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Post by snowgirl on Dec 7, 2008 18:58:54 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information, Lee. I'm going to start supping potassium this week and see if that makes a difference, and I'm rearranging my HC timing as well. Dehydration isn't an issue since I live at altitude and have to drink tons of water or else I get headaches.
Hopefully the new doc will be more open to florinef, since it seems it's more likey that than a need for medrol. But I guess I won't know for certain until I try it out. I'm feeling a lot like a living chemistry experiment these days.
Thanks again for the support.
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Post by snowgirl on Dec 8, 2008 19:14:40 GMT -5
Oh, here is another question. Part of the reason my doc was hesitant to prescribe florinef is because my postassium was already on the bottom of the range, and he knew that florinef could push it down further. He suggested I use the salt substitute potassium chloride, but acknowledged that supplemental potassium doesn't affect blood potassium tests.
Does anyone have any experience with potassium chloride and if it does in fact have a beneficial impact?
I am concerned myself about my low potassium (last reading 3.5 range 3.5-5.3) and wonder what would be the effect if florinef pushes it down even further.
Thanks!
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Post by Lethal Lee on Dec 15, 2008 2:49:56 GMT -5
Oh, here is another question. Part of the reason my doc was hesitant to prescribe florinef is because my postassium was already on the bottom of the range, and he knew that florinef could push it down further. He suggested I use the salt substitute potassium chloride, but acknowledged that supplemental potassium doesn't affect blood potassium tests. Does anyone have any experience with potassium chloride and if it does in fact have a beneficial impact? I am concerned myself about my low potassium (last reading 3.5 range 3.5-5.3) and wonder what would be the effect if florinef pushes it down even further. Thanks! Hi Again, My Potassium actually dropped below range way before Adrenal meds. I was put on RX Slow-K which is slow release Potassium Chloride. 1200mg of Slow-K Potassium increased my Potassium blood levels to ~4.2. Fast forward to this year and I started Pred/HC in Jan & Florinef in Feb. Florinef did DECREASE my Potassium levels back down to ~3.8. I upped my Slow-K to 3000 mg daily & have maintained blood levels at ~4.3. I am on 1 1/2 tabs Florinef at present. In Summer (Perth West Australia) our temps are very high so I find I need 1 3/4 tabs Florinef & 3600mg Slow-K then. Before Florinef I was very dehydrated (dry eyes, mouth, sinus, skin & hair), I was starting to urinate more & more frequently, I had headaches frequently, my BP always dropped on standing, my BP & HR were both very high, and I was extremely heat intolerant & sweated profusely. After Florinef no longer urinated frequently; no more dry eyes, sinus & mouth, dry skin MUCH improved, hair getting better; my BP & HR substantially reduced; and no more heat intolerance. Low Potassium caused chest/heart pain, muscle spasms, cramps, twitching. All gone with increasing Potassium supps. OTC Potassium supps including Potassium Chloride Salt are VERY low dose & unlikely to raise your blood levels. Plus they must be dosed frequently. With your Potassium levels at 3.5 I would have pressed for RX Potassium then. My levels were 3.4 when my Doc RX'ed Slow -K for me. Certainly you will need RX Potassium prescribed BEFORE you ever take Florinef. That shouldnt put you off trying Florinef if you need it. And likely you do!!!!
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Post by snowgirl on Dec 15, 2008 13:27:42 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the detailed reply, Lee. That's really helpful. I'm going to print that out and take it to my doc.
One last question. What is "normal" urination frequency? I live at 5,000 feet in a high desert climate, so I have to drink water constantly or I get headaches. This results in my having to urinate every 30-60 minutes. Some people say this is normal for my altitude to keep people hydrated, but I wonder about that, since plenty of other people I know can make it through a movie without having to get up to pee at least once.
Since you live in a hot, dry climate, I'm curious what you think is too frequent urination and how frequent it is for you post-Florinef.
Many, many thanks!
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Post by Chris Jackson on Dec 28, 2008 11:12:00 GMT -5
From wake to bed, 4 times per day.
You're welcome, Chris
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