I am starting hydrocortisone for pain relief 5mg 3x a day. I read the side effects and they are not very pretty. However, I may only be taking it a short time as it may not even work. Does anyone now how long it takes to get pain relief from it? Immediately - that day or a week?????????
Also, saw about being careful about taking herbs, supp. etc. with it. I take glutithione, zymitol, niancin, red yeast rice, also wellbutrin. My dr. is aware of all the supp. so I guess he feels I should be ok. Sure don't like the diabetes part,etc.
Just wondering when I could expect pain relief - if I get any at all as nothing else has worked thus far.
Sydney

I suspect your use of hydrocortisone, puts you in the
"natural treatment" realm for this drug.

Here is a monograph that explains it:
[u[http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=52[/u]

Over time you may see some nutrient depletions, but not as severe as
with prednisone.

There are other treatments for inflammation out there.
1) one is very low dose prednisone (like 2.5mg/day)
2) the other is pulsed higher doses every OTHER day.

Doctors have been trying to find easier ways to give this treatment, to avoid NSAIDs and provide a better anti-inflammtory response.

Some doctors use hydrocortisone to suppress a genetic adrenal disorder, called adrenogenital syndrome. This turns off an over active adrenal gland.
So both treatments are similar, but for different reasons. Also depends on dose, and you are in the borderline "low dose category".

Why are you taking the red yeast rice?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red...tient-redyeast
Side effects for this are similar to those of statins.... muscle pain!

Dear Mrs D.
Thanks for your response. You are always so kind to help and point out things I am unaware of. I don't know what you mean that the use of hydrocortisone puts me in the category of "natural treatment".
My MD who is also a naturapathic Dr. put me on the red yeast rice because my cholesterol is in the high 300's and also sometimes in the 400's. (1800mg per day). To be honest I don't always take that much .Also prescribed 2400mg. of niacin. I recently heard nicain is hard on your liver. I mentioned that to him but he said this brand was OK. Same for the niacin - don't take that much as prescribed. The dosages kind of scared me. Another naturapath told me to forget the niacin and r.y.r and take cod liver oil for cholesterol. My cholesterol has been in the 300's for over 10+ years.
I'll try the hydrocortisone for pain and see if it works for the pain of FM and RSD. I read the links you provided. Thanks so much
Sydney