Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Addison's Disease
Question: My daughter was diagnosed with Addison's disease (ATCH of 780 at the time) seven years ago. It has devastated her live and unfortunately she had no chance to recover from one emotional stress before another one started over the first 3 years. She started using meth about 4 years ago. She is not a constant user but the brief burst of energy/motivation she gets from it only lasts 2-3 days and then she absolutely crashes for at least a week afterwards. She has never accepted her Addison's disease and is desperate for energy/motivation. Of course meth use leaves you feeling much worse afterwards, I know, and the brain takes quite a while to recover. My question is this, in the first few years of her Addison's, although she was tired, depressed, and bronze, she was able to get up and go if she absolutely had to. After she started using meth, she is almost comatose like in her lethargy and many doctor's appointments, etc., have had to be canceled because she simply could not get out of bed. (She is now 42). My question is is this meth making her Addison's worse. She went to the ER a month ago (she had not been using at the time) and her cortisol level was 0.5. Her potassium was somewhat low because in her brain fog and way of thinking, she had doubled her Florinef. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
About XXXXXXX and meth use;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking HCM!
I can understand your concern regarding to your daughter's health.
Using methamphetamine in XXXXXXX disease may increase the need for hydrocortisone as it is considered as a ''stress'' for the body (increases energy expenditure).
If the symptoms are due to insufficiency of hydrocortisone or due to chronic effects of methamfetamine, it can be judged by a specialist who treats XXXXXXX disease.
The dose of hydrocortisone she is taking is considered normal as long as her blood pressure, blood glucose level and electrolytes are within the normal ranges.
People who use methamphetamine long-term may experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and mood disturbances even display violent behavior.
They may also show symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions.
As using methamfetamine worsens her condition (and it is scientifically explained) , she should try to quit it (even though it will be difficult).
Otherwise, the dose of hydrocortisone should be raised that day as your treating physician will suggest.
This is a difficult situation and to be managed with combined effort of a multidisciplinary team (comprising of endocrinologist, toxicologist, psychologist) .
Wishing her good health.
Feel free to ask further
Kind Regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
About XXXXXXX and meth use;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking HCM!
I can understand your concern regarding to your daughter's health.
Using methamphetamine in XXXXXXX disease may increase the need for hydrocortisone as it is considered as a ''stress'' for the body (increases energy expenditure).
If the symptoms are due to insufficiency of hydrocortisone or due to chronic effects of methamfetamine, it can be judged by a specialist who treats XXXXXXX disease.
The dose of hydrocortisone she is taking is considered normal as long as her blood pressure, blood glucose level and electrolytes are within the normal ranges.
People who use methamphetamine long-term may experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and mood disturbances even display violent behavior.
They may also show symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions.
As using methamfetamine worsens her condition (and it is scientifically explained) , she should try to quit it (even though it will be difficult).
Otherwise, the dose of hydrocortisone should be raised that day as your treating physician will suggest.
This is a difficult situation and to be managed with combined effort of a multidisciplinary team (comprising of endocrinologist, toxicologist, psychologist) .
Wishing her good health.
Feel free to ask further
Kind Regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
