Please be VERY careful weaning off of HC (LOTS of good information)... Re: That's OK. I think I need more HC

...it is an INSIDIOUS drug that is known to weaken the adrenals substantially, and stop/prevent the bodies own production of the natural hormone it mimics.  As far as this: >>> I'll be able to eventually get off HC. Or, maybe not.<<<  Of course you can wean off of it (and you will definitely need to if you expect your body to heal itself), but you will have to educate yourself, support your adrenals and (like) use a slow, structured withdrawal schedule/routine.

If you've started reducing recently, your symptoms could be all OVER the place (inability to sleep and 'wired' feelings are extremely common).  For those that exhibit symptoms reducing, I have found (and it is known) that one should undertake a VERY structured, VERY low 'reduction schedule' and be prepared for many 'ups & downs' during the withdrawal period and afterward.  And it is my opinion that one should give the adrenals as much support via adaptogenic herbs & nutrition as possible....but I do not suggest doing this (or making any other harsh/sudden changes) until you've mapped out a 'total body' healing plan.

If you haven't thoroughly researched this, it would be wise to check out 15-20 of the links/articles (over several pages) of the information contained in this Google search (hydrocortisone, withdrawal): www.google.com/search

(By the way, I received and responded to your PM, so be sure to check your Inbox if you haven't already).  To everyone & #46511 - please remember, I do NOT have time to answer or reply to PMs unless it has something to do with your 'order details'.  Every minute/hour/day I spend answering PMs is one minute/hour/day I don't have to be answering posts on the forum, and this is something I AM going to stick to from here on out.  

With HC, testosterone shots, DHEA, Pregnenolone AND chelation, your body is extremely imbalanced hormonally...and with your compromised liver on top of that? Well, you have a lot of work to do, that's for sure.  What a blessing it is that our bodies are so resilient that we can do that much damage, yet they will still recover.

You said >>>I"d have to taper off HC over a a month or so. I'm at 15 mg right now, and if I don't chelate any more, I should be able to get off of it. <<< 

It is always possible to get off of HC...but off of 15 mg in a month?!?!  Wow, that would be wayWayWAY too quickly for most people.

I would suggest the safest (and least compromising way) to taper off of HC is a slow & structured withdrawal of "10% of the last known dosage, every 2 weeks". Example: you start at 15 mgs, so for the first cut in dosage, cut 10% of 15 mgs 1.5, which would be 13.5 mgs daily, and stick at that for two weeks (or longer, until the symptoms subside).  For the next cut, take 10% off of the 13.5 mgs your body is accustomed to (13.5 - 1.35 mgs, for a daily dose of 12.15 mgs)...again for two weeks or until symptoms subside.  Then continue the same structure of withdrawal until you're totally off.  Yes, this takes a LONG time, but slow & steady is what wins this race.

It is possible that with additional adrenal support (Dr. Christopher's Adrenal Tincture; the herb Ashwagandha; bee pollen for B5 and some form of natural vitamin c - such as acerola cherry, amla berry, etc), that you could cut the dosages more substantially...but that will depend upon a MYRIAD of variables.

When I saw your original post about being on the HC (testosterone, DHEA, Pregnenelone, along with ALA) along with Hepatitis, I was extremely concerned.  This is but one of the reasons why it is going to take some time to give you all the information required (imo) for you to safely & effectively formulate & instigate a healing protocol.

Below (from a subscription pay-site called eHealthMe) are the statitics of actual adverse effects of HC that have been reported to the FDA (not the adverse effects that are 'advertised' or found after only 4-8 weeks in extremely manipulated clinical trials).  These are REAL LIFE statistics.   It is estimated these numbers represent 10% or less of the "actual" since physicians commonly will not admit/report that there has been harm caused by drugs/chemicals they have prescribed.  By looking at these adverse reports you can analyze/contemplate how HC effects the entire body and all organs adversely (not just the adrenals), and how/why it is SUCH an insidious drug.  There is a similar report for Testosterone, and information regarding DHEA & Pregnenolone below the data on HC.

On Jan, 2, 2011: 10,730 people who reported to have side effects when taking Hydrocortisone are studied

Top 100 overall Hydrocortisone side effects:

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On Jan, 2, 2011: 3,152 people who reported to have side effects when taking Testosterone are studied

Top 100 overall Testosterone side effects:

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Side effects and adverse responses to DHEA (taken from various internet sites)  [Note: this supplement is another hormone made mostly by the adrenals -- and supplementing hormones CAN weaken or totally shut down/prevent the adrenals or other organs from producing the hormone.  So this may have some withdrawal effects similar to the HC]

How Does It Work?

* Like any and all androgenic steroid, DHEA can cause hair loss, especially in men. DHEA tends to increases levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), along with testosterone, and DHT is a main cause in hair loss.

    * DHEA use can lead to acne problems, as most of you probably know that testosterone can cause acne problem among others.

    * DHEA can lead to menstrual irregularities in women. It can also accelerate facial hair growth, and deepen voice.

    * DHEA can convert to estrogen and this can lead to unwanted "feminine" characteristics in men.

    * Long term use of DHEA can increase risk for breast cancer, ovary cancer, and prostate cancer.

    * DHEA can also lead to prostate enlargement.

   * "Promote weight loss and muscle gain" as claimed mainly by the manufacturers and distributors; however very few case studies have shown this to be true - so be cautious

    * "DHEA can also help increase metabolism" - this claim also comes from the manufacturers. Again, there's little evidence to prove this

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: DHEA is a hormone that can affect how estrogen works in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use DHEA.

Liver problems: DHEA might make liver problems worse. Don’t use DHEA if you have liver problems.

Diabetes: DHEA can affect how insulin works in the body. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully if you are taking DHEA.

Depression and mood disorders: There is some concern that patients with a history of depression and bipolar disorder might have some mental side effects if they use DHEA. DHEA can cause mania (excitability and impulsiveness), irritability, and sexua| inappropriateness in people with mood disorders. If you have a mood disorder, be sure to discuss DHEA with your healthcare provider before you start taking it. Also, pay attention to any changes in how you feel.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Taking DHEA might make this condition worse. Don’t use DHEA if you have PCOS.

Cholesterol problems: DHEA might lower “good cholesterol” (high lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL). If your HDL level is already too low, discuss DHEA with your healthcare provider before you start taking it.

Individuals with existing liver disease (such as viral hepatitis or cirrhosis) might consider taking DHEA sublingually (under your tongue) or using a topical DHEA cream to reduce the amount of DHEA entering the liver. DHEA is converted by the liver into DHEA-s (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Those with liver disease should carefully monitor liver enzyme levels to make sure that DHEA therapy is not making liver disease worse.   [from what I'm seeing anyone with ANY type of liver compromise, particularly hepatitis or cirrhosis, should NEVER use DHEA!]

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Side effects and adverse responses to Pregnenolone (taken from various internet sites)  Yet another steroid/hormone supplment that CAN shut down the body's natural production, is definitely not "natural", has a wide array of adverse effects (affecting MANY body systems adversely, including the heart) and is not recommended for those with kidney or liver compromise.

Pregnant and nursing women, children, and people with kidney or liver disease should not take pregnenolone. In people with prostate conditions, use of pregnenolone should be monitored carefully.

Others include heart palpitations, irritability, night sweats, anger, and insomnia. These can range from mild to severe depending on dosage.

Very few studies have been conducted on the use of pregnenolone, so its side effects have not been well documented in many cases. One reason for this is that pregnenolone is a naturally occurring hormone and steroid.

Side effects and adverse responses to ALA Chelation "therapy" (out of time to do a decent internet search, but here's a couple-quickies):

Side Effects

Side effects of alpha lipoic acid may include headache, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation, skin rash, or muscle cramps.

There have been a few reports in Japan of a rare condition called insulin autoimmune syndrome in people using alpha lipoic acid. The condition causes hypoglycemia and antibodies directed against the body's own insulin without previous insulin therapy.

The safety of alpha lipoic acid in pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with kidney or liver disease is unknown.

--side effects can include upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence and the likes. Excessive intake of ALA can lead to the lowering of blood sugar.

As a consequence of this structural similarity, an excess of alpha lipoic acid can compete with or displace biotin from its cognate enzyme, according to experimental evidence from cell and animal studies.

Of course, all of the known dangesr & possible harm to the liver & kidneys (and many times, digestive tract) that can come from over-rapidly releasing heavy metals into the bloodstream...and the various issues that can be caused from over-burdening already compromised kidneys and liver.

Yes, I realize that it's now "common" for ALA to be used 'for' Hepatitis, but we can boost glutathione levels easily with coffee enemas (and get a myriad of benefits besides) without ingesting isolated chemicals that are foreign to our bodies, that always (in some way or another) affect homeostasis.  And with ALA 'binding' so many metals that are integral to life/health - well, to my understanding of the natural body it's best to repair & decongest the organs and give the body ample fuel and natural assistance. Our body knows how and WILL cleanse & repair itself in the time-frame that it knows is most -effective and safest.  (of course, emergency over-exposure to heavy metals is an entirely different situation)

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As you can see/surmise, there is absolutely NO WAY when taking these harsh chelators, chemicals & hormones into ones body that one can EVER ascertain what is truly happening in our REAL body.  And there's no way that our body's natural healing schematics can work adequately when our natural body is being chemically forced into actions that are not natural or normal.

I don't know how long you've been playing  'supplement tango' (if like most on CZ, likely a very long time), but when one's body is being chemically forced (and yes, supplements many times DO "force" the body into unnatural actions, just like drugs) all the various diets & protocols that "seem to work right" are most likely those that "work right" with various states of compromise caused by the unnatural state of your body that is happening due to the supplements/drugs...AND the original compromises/diseases.  And once your body has grown accustomed to the supplements replacing the hormones it should be making itself (and lowered or stopped it's own production), it's very unbalancing (and typically fraught with symptoms) to start withdrawing before supporting the organs than have been adversely affected.

And I sincerely hope that this one post has shown you just how much time and concern I do have for each of my fellow humans that ask for advice on this forum...and why it takes me so long to compile all the pertinent information needed, so that they can have 'what it takes' to educate themselves fully (so they CAN create a healthy body and lifetime of vibrant, uncompromised living).  It's only been 10-11 days since you started posting and asking questions, and that has come amidst MAJOR holiday time crunches & stressors....and I was almost two WEEKS behind in answering posts the posts made prior to yours, before the holidays.

 :::::chidingly & sweetly...with a big grin on my face and a wink::::::  Since I've just spent (very gladly & willingly) well almost 7 hours of this day replying to your PM and this one post because I care so much about you & your situation (and my own integrity)....DUUUUUUUUUUUDE! Do you think that (just maybe please)  you could have just a wee bit more patience with me?  Even if you don't think *I* deserve more patience, methinks you & your body definitely deserve enough patience to see & learn how these great healers were able to successfully/safely restore SO many to vibrant health...without causing additional compromise...naturally.

Blessings of the New Year (and give those precious kitties a 'scratch n' a treat' from me!) -

Uny