Steroids & Adrenal Crisis (Don’t Let This Happen to You)

When we think of steroids, we mostly think of body builders riskily taking these drugs to grow muscle fast, but there are so many Americans taking steroids in all different forms for all different reasons.  Everything I personally experience health wise, good or bad, I share in order to help others, especially when it comes to  warning of potential mistakes (including life-threatening mistakes.)   Did you know that you cannot come off steroids (even nasal steroids) abruptly?  Doing so can cause an adrenal crisis which is life-threatening.  Read on, and I will fill you in how I learned of this information the hard way.

If you watch my YouTube channel, you may know since getting the virus in January, I had been dealing with a sinus infection for months.  I went on a combination of antifungals mixed with steroids that I used in a nebulizer for a few months then naively stopped them abruptly.  Let me tell you about the nasty side effects that ensued.  Hypoglycemia, a feeling of being completely wired yet exhausted and heart palpitations.  Read on and I will explain why this happens as well as the importance of tapering.  If you have small children even using an allergy nasal spray with steroids always talk to your doctor about weaning off.

Stopping Steroids Abruptly Causes Adrenal Crisis

An adrenal crisis is a potentially life-threatening condition.  This occurs because long term use (even short term for some) suppresses the bodies natural production of cortisol by the adrenal glands.  When steriods are stopped abruptly, the adrenal glands may not be able to produce enough cortisol to meet the body’s needs causing a plethora of symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Crisis:

• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Feeling of being wired yet exhausted

Preventing an Adrenal Crisis

• Work with your doctor to taper off slowly.  If you have been on for more than a few weeks, taper slowly.
• Support your Adrenals as you taper off

Emergency Treatment

• Intravenous hydrocortisone
• IV fluids to stabilize blood pressure and correct electrolyte imbalances

Once you get on the other side of an adrenal crisis it is important to support the adrenals as they can take a long time to heal.  Not skipping meals to support healthy blood sugar as well as eating whole unprocessed foods, as well as supplements and herbs such as vitamin C, magnesium, B Vitamins, abhwagandha, and holy basil.

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