Adrenal meds & weight issues

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I haven't been here in quite a while because my thyroid and adrenals

are finally under control, and I've been trying to make up for the

almost 15 years I spent in bed. I have a new problem now that seems

to be affecting me as much as being in bed all the time was--just in a

different way. I've gained so much weight from taking my

methylprednisone that I'm at the point where I'm not even sure it's

worth it. Admittedly, my appearance means a lot to me, and possibly

even more than it should. I'm only 4'11, and have weighed within 5

pounds of 110 since I was 16 (15 years ago). Three to four months

after taking my adrenal meds regularly (and finally feeling human), I

gained 20 pounds. I've gained another 10 since then. Being 4'11 and

weighing 140 is not a good thing. I'm embarrassed to go out with

friends, embarrassed for my husband to look at me, and am pretty much

miserable. My self esteem has become pretty much non-existant.

I feel great, and have been able to go back to school full time while

still having enough energy to take care of my three year old.

However, I now have a belly big enough for three people, and my face

is huge. --Even if these are Cushing's symptoms, I'd still need to

taper down/off.

During the year and a half I was fighting with all of the doctors to

give me these meds, I knew I would gain weight while taking them. I

told myself (and my husband), that I would just have to deal with it

because I wanted to be a human being again. Well, I can still

remember how it felt to be in bed every day, and I can't say this is

worth it. I've decided I want to try to stop taking them and see what

happens.

I was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, but my doctor is pretty

much useless, so I've been self medicating. He gave me cortef, but it

wasn't doing anything for me, so I get my own medrol. He also has me

on Florinef.

I'm currently taking:

3 to 4 grains of Armour a day (I don't always remember my last dose)

0.1 mg Florinef every other day

4 mg Medrol (methylprednisone) daily

I was taking the Florinef daily until two weeks ago, but switched to

every other day because I had labs showing low potassium.

I would like to try to taper off of the Medrol and Florinef, but want

to make sure I do it properly. I'm not sure I can cut the medrol much

smaller than in two, so that would make 2-2mg pieces. Can anyone

offer any suggestions on how to best do this?

I'm sorry to vent at everyone--I've not been too happy this week.

Thanks,

Holly