Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 . has had 2 courses of ACTH, they were injections into the muscle for 2 weeks, so not sure whether a pic line would work. A nurse came round and gave them. Both courses gave complete seizure control, (normalised his EEG completely) but he lost it both times following pneumonia. His immune system was lowered from the steroids, and when he caught a cold each time, both turned to pneumonia. Very hard to know if the seizure control would have been lost or not otherwise. He also had a hypersensitive reaction, blew up with major fluid retention, emergency diuretics were needed to prevent pulmonary odema or kidney failure in his case-but this is very unusual, our hospital had not seen this type of reaction before. But do be aware that some fluid retention and weight gain is normal, but not the huge bloating we saw in within a matter of days. He had a 2 week course, and then it was stopped with no tapering, whereas a lot of other hospitals actually 'wean' them down with oral prednisone over a period of months. Again - whether this different protocol would have made a difference to the seizures returning, we don't know. It can work, and work well. For others, it doesn't work at all, and for others, it works but for a limited time only. You really won't kow I don't think until you try, good luck to you, hope it is her answer. 's seizures are now controlled for the most part through the ketogenic diet - which is what we moved to after the seizures came back from the 2nd ACTH course. Hill > We took Sedona for a second opinion on her 72 hour VEEG. The doctor said that her EEG was the worst one that she had seen for a long time and that even though she was not having many visual seizures the amount of sub clinical seizures were unreal. Unreal that she can function at all. > > She suggested that we use the ACTH and that we follow up with Febatrol-sp?. Have any of you used it?? What side effects did you see?? Did you give shots at home or use a pic line?? How are the children now??? > > Any help you can give would be great. > > Thanks, > > Mom to Sedona 6 (LKSV, CP, SP delays and DEV delays) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 From Medco Health... ACTH Source: A.D.A.M., Inc.Updated: May 2005 Definition An ACTH test measures ACTH, a hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland in the brain. How the test is performedAdult or child:Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to fill with blood. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. The tourniquet is then removed to restore circulation. After blood has been collected the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.Infant or young child:The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any bleeding.The levels of ACTH vary with the body's circadian rhythms (the pattern of physiologic changes that occurs on a 24-hour cycle). This test is most accurate if it is performed early in the morning. How to prepare for the testThe health care provider may advise the person to: Discontinue the use of steroid drugs Be at the laboratory or office where the blood is being drawn by or before 8 a.m., or when instructedInfants and children:The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics: Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the test is performedThis test can help indicate the causes of hormone irregularities. ACTH is a protein hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. The main function of ACTH is the regulation of the steroid hormone cortisol, which is secreted by the adrenal cortex. Normal ValuesValues 9 to 52 pg/ml are normal. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.Note: pg/ml = picograms per milliliter What abnormal results meanGreater-than-normal levels of ACTH may be from: 's disease (because of deficient production by the adrenal gland) Adrenoleukodystrophy (very rare) Cushing's disease Ectopic tumor producing ACTH 's syndrome (very rare)Lower-than-normal levels of ACTH may be from: Cushing syndrome related to adrenal tumor Exogenous Cushing's syndrome Pituitary insufficiencyAdditional conditions under which the test may be performed: Hypopituitarism Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I What the risks are Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Multiple punctures to locate veins Special considerationsSpecial handling of the blood sample is required.Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACTH (Cortrosyn) stimulation test Source: A.D.A.M., Inc.Updated: May 2005 Definition ACTH (Cortrosyn) stimulation test measures the ability of the adrenal cortex to respond to ACTH by producing cortisol appropriately. ACTH is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands. How the test is performedBlood measurements of cortisol are obtained -- 1 before and 1 or more after injection of ACTH.Adult or child:Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to fill with blood. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. The tourniquet is then removed to restore circulation. After blood has been collected the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.Infant or young child:The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any bleeding.Once the blood has been collected, a needle is used to inject Cortrosyn, and additional timed specimens are collected.Along with the blood tests, sometimes a urinary free cortisol test or urinary 17-ketosteroids may also be measured. The urine is collected over a 24-hour period. How to prepare for the testYou may need to limit activities and eat a high-carbohydrate diet 12 to 24 hours before the test. You may be asked to fast for 6 hours before the test.Infants and children:The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics: Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the test is performedThis test is helpful in determining if the adrenal and pituitary glands are normal. It is most often used when adrenal gland disorders, such as 's disease or pituitary insufficiency, are suspected. Normal Values An increase in cortisol after stimulation by ACTH is normal. Post-stimulation blood cortisol should be greater than 20 mcg/dl. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Note: mcg/dl = micrograms per deciliter What abnormal results meanThis test is helpful in determining if you have: 's disease (decreased adrenal output) Low pituitary function Pituitary tumors Acute adrenal crisis What the risks areFrom venipuncture: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Multiple punctures to locate veins Special considerations There are none. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From www.dogpile.com There are many other articles just go to the link and type ACTH “ACTH” Glossary From C. Stöppler, M.D.,Your Guide to Stress Management.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!Definition: a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, which acts directly on the adrenal glands to increase their secretion of cortisol and other hormones. In stress situations, ACTH levels rise, causing elevated cortisol levels. ACTH levels are controlled by the so-called hormone releasing factor CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone) from the hypothalamus of the brain. Peptides > Adrenocorticotropic Hormones (ACTH) and Fragments ACTH® generic name: adrenocorticotropic hormone -- HP Acthar Gel Manufacturer: Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer ACTH is a hormone often prescribed for the treatment of infantile spasms, although this use has not been submitted for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. How ACTH works to prevent seizures (its mechanism of action) is unknown. A number of side effects are associated with the drug, including changes in appearance and irritability in infants, severe infection, heart failure and kidney and pancreatic calcifications. Not everyone experiences side effects. There may be other side effects not appearing above. For a complete list, consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. More detailed sources of information on side effects include the drug's prescribing information sheet, the Physician's Desk Reference, or pharmaceutical company which produces the drug. Epilepsy Foundation 4351 Garden City Drive Landover, MD 20785-7223 - (800) 332-1000 Site Copyright [ ] ACTH Has anyone taken ACTH? I am reducing my steroid doseand someone suggested taking this would help my bodyin producing its own andrenaline - apparently it is adrug aswell as a test... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 ACTH.I've never heard of it before.I have PBC,Stage 4 and AIH.I came off prednisolone at the end of 2004 and have had really bad fatigue problems -natural steroids should have kicked in by now -so think this must be how it's gonna be .I take 1000mgs Cellcept ,twice daily for AIH.I will be interested ,, if you go through with this treatment to see how you get on.I understand you at University in Ireland but your liver consultant is in England -was it he/she who mentioned this course of treatment ? Louise Newcastle upon Tyne England Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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