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Suggest Treatment For Swelling On Face, Headaches And Dehydration While On Steroids
Question: can 40 milligrams of steroids for two weeks and then 20 milligrams for the next two weeks hurt you because I went to the ER twice with stomach pain headache dehydration and was on an IV both times plus my face swelled broke out my legs broke out and I ended up losing part of my vision in left eye you cannot all be caused by steroids in a woman
Brief Answer:
Adrenal insufficiency
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
When steroids are taken for more than 3 weeks they must be gradually tapered and not suddenly stopped in order to avoid a condition called adrenal insufficiency from developing.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Serum Cortisol at 8 am
None of these tests require any fasting.
In the meanwhile, utilize the ER for symptoms that seem severe
Adrenal insufficiency
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
When steroids are taken for more than 3 weeks they must be gradually tapered and not suddenly stopped in order to avoid a condition called adrenal insufficiency from developing.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Serum Cortisol at 8 am
None of these tests require any fasting.
In the meanwhile, utilize the ER for symptoms that seem severe
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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