Re: cortisone dangers (steroids) - long article

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> I take this that is made by compunding pharmacy as I am in

reverse and it helps to regulate me. Why is this bad for adrenals?

Excerpts from:

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/steroids.htm

Far from being a wonder drug 'cure all', steroids cannot cure one

single condition. All they do is suppress your body's ability to

express a normal response. In a few instances, this type of

suppression will give the body a chance to heal itself. But more

often, the effect is immediate, devastating and permanent damage. And

we are only now realizing just how quickly damage can occur. Despite

what doctors say, that steroids only have side effects after many

years of use, there is no such thing as a safe dose.

Studies show that steroids cause permanent, debilitating effects

after a single dosage. With long term use, some of the more common

side effects of steroids include changes in appearance, such as acne,

development of a round or moon-shaped face and an increased appetite

leading to eight gain. Steroids may also cause a redistribution of

fat, leading to a swollen face and abdomen, but thin arms and legs.

In some cases, the skin becomes more fragile, which leads to easy

bruising. These take weeks to begin appearing.

Psychological side effects of steroids include irritability,

agitation, euphoria or depression. Insomnia can also be a side

effect. These changes in appearance and mood are often more apparent

with high doses of steroids, and may begin within days. Injected

Triamcinalone (see above), or oral dexamethasone seem to cause these

changes less, but as they stay in the body an undesirably long time,

rendering them second choices.

An increase in susceptibility to infections may occur with very high

doses of steroids. Prednisone may also aggravate diabetes, glaucoma,

and high blood pressure, and often increases cholesterol and

triglyceride levels in the blood. In children, steroids can suppress

growth. These effects are reversed once the steroids are stopped.

Long-term damage: quick and dirty

Steroids don't take years to damage your system, as doctors maintain.

Permanent, crippling damage can occur weeks after you've begun

treatment.

Osteoporosis can occur within a matter of months. Steroids cause 8

per cent reduction in bone mass after four months (Ann Int Med,

November 15, 1993), the equivalent of the effect on your bones of

having your ovaries removed. Even low doses of inhaled steroids (400

micrograms per day) reduce bone formation (The Lancet, July 6, 1991).

Low doses (10-15 mg prednisone) for a year can cause cataracts (Surv

Ophthalmol, 1986; 31: 260-2).

Topical steroids may begin to cause eye damage or raise pressure

after two weeks. Extensive visual loss can be caused by a 1 per cent

hydrocortisone ointment, which is available OTC (BMJ, August 20-27,

1994).

Rub-on steroids have caused Cushing's syndrome in children as soon as

a month after treatment has begun (Arch Dis Child, 1982; 57: 204-7).

Inhaled steroids slowth growth in children after six weeks (Acta Ped,

1993; 82: 636-40. See also, The Lancet, December 14, 1991).

Bilateral cataracts and glaucoma induced by long term use of steroid

eye drops

Side effects that may be caused by the long-term use of steroids

include cataracts, muscle weakness, avascular necrosis of bone and

osteoporosis. These usually do not occur with less than four weeks of

treatment.

Avascular necrosis of bone, usually associated with high doses of

prednisone over long periods of time, produces hip pain and an

abnormal MRI scan. It occurs most often in the hip, but it can also

affect the shoulders, knees and other joints. Caught early, the joint

can be saved by " decompression " by an orthopedic surgeon. Once full

developed, Avascular necrosis is painful and often requires surgical

joint replacement for pain relief.

Steroids reduce calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal tract

which may result in osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones.

Osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures, especially compression

fractures of the vertebrae, causing severe back pain. Calcium, at

least 1500 mg of the calcium carbonate form or equivalent, should be

taken. There are new medications (Fosamax in particular) that also

may help to prevent osteoporosis.

There is also a relationship between steroids and premature

arteriosclerosis, which is a narrowing of the blood vessels by fat

(cholesterol) deposits. In general, there is a close relationship

between the side effects of steroids and the dose and duration of

their use. Thus, a high dose of steroids given over a long period of

time is more likely to cause side effects than a lower dosage given

over a shorter period of time.

" Furthermore, my investigation revealed that the majority of AIDS

patients suffer from metabolic and endocrine abnormalities [1]. The

high prevalence of adrenal insufficiency observed among AIDS patients

provides strong evidence that AIDS in these patients is caused by the

use of corticosteroids " Mohammed Ali Al-Bayati Ph.D Toxicologist,

and Pathologist Toxi-Health International, 150 Bloom Dr., Dixon,

California 95620, USA more

" Dr. Al-Bayati, discovered that the steroid treatments, Prednisone

and Azathioprine had completely destroyed my immune system and were

the culprits that were not allowing my bodily systems to repair

themselves. In essence my HMO gave me the appearance of medication

induced " Aids. " Larry J. Boyd, Suisun City, California

Bee