The most common treatment for Addison’s disease involves hormone replacement therapy to correct the levels of steroid hormones your body isn’t producing. Some options for treatment include:
Oral corticosteroids. Hydrocortisone (Cortef), prednisone or cortisone acetate may be used to replace cortisol. Your doctor may prescribe fludrocortisone to replace aldosterone.
Corticosteroid injections. If you’re ill with vomiting and can’t retain oral medications, injections may be needed.
An ample amount of sodium is recommended, especially during heavy exercise, when the weather is hot or if you have gastrointestinal upsets, such as diarrhea. Your doctor will also suggest a temporary increase in your dosage if you’re facing a stressful situation, such as an operation, an infection or a minor illness.
These are the most common pharmacological treatment, but there are other. What else works for you?
Hey Bill,
Welcome to Ben’s Friends.
My name is Merl and I’m a member of the Modsupport Team here on Ben’s Friends.
Did he say why?
Did he offer any other options? There would have to be something, surely??
I’ve had hospital medicos recommend and provide medication which was beneficial. Then had a pcp decline to prescribe it “because it’s addictive”. My argument was “if it works for me, I don’t care”. Taking away a ‘tool’ that works for me, why? That’s just cruel in my opinion.
I ended up having the hospital write a letter addressed directly to the pcp. In basic terms, telling him to provide the damn medication. As I’ve often said “I have to manage for me and my symptoms, not for the damn Dr’s.”
Now, please, don’t get me wrong here, there may be a genuine reason why it’s bad. It could build up a toxicity or just not be as efficient as some newer meds. But it would be good to know why Fludrocortisone is a bad drug.