My rheumy wants to put me on the hormone DHEA to help with fatigue.
I was wondering if anyone has ever tried it before and if it helped. I am a little nervous about taking hormones and what the potential side effects are.
Thanks!
Sparkle
Hi Sparkle. I have no knowledge regarding DHEA use in sjogren's patients but I remembered during a recent web search regarding a research study involving DHEA. Attached is a link to the article that was published after the study was complete. If you look on the clinical trial site they haven't updated their findings yet. Hope this helps!
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/590527
Hi Sparkle!
I am not familiar with DHEA.
I did want to share though, that my fatigue was extremely bad and I have been and still am currently taking provigil....it helps me a lot! In fact it has been a lifesaver for me as I don't think I would still be able to work full time if I wasn't taking it!
Good luck to you!
Hi :)
I've heard a lot about DHEA in a thyroid forum. It's usually given as 'adrenal support'. If we've been ill for a while - and most of us have - it stands to reason that we've been physically pretty stressed. Stress takes its toll on the adrenals. DHEA can support them till they're functioning normally again. I'm not medical - but that's my layperson's take on it. (Total adrenal failure is what hhappens with Addison's Disease. Needing suppirt falls well short of that)
Take care - Scottie :)
I've also been prescribed Provigil for fatigue. It does help, but I have to take a really low dose or I feel kind of weird. I would have a hard time functioning without it.
I am curious about DHEA. Besides a rheumatologist I see a naturopath and he wanted to put me some kind of adrenal stuff, but the other docs didn't want me to take it because my adrenal tests were fine. For a while I was on too much thyroid hormone which was really just masking my fatigue.
I tried Plaquenil for about 3 weeks and had so much trouble with my stomach even though I started gradual and slow. I would like to try it again because maybe it would help with fatigue?
Terri
Hi Sparkle,
For the last 6 years now I've been taking 100 mgs of DHEA daily.
It is prescribed to me by my rheumy.
For me it does help with energy - it also cured my aching back within a few days.
Hope this helps?
Thanks for everyone's responses! I guess it is not a common treatment but I think I will give it a try.
Maria - I am glad the DHEA is helping you! I guess if you have been on it for 6 years it is not causing any side effects?
The Provigil sounds helpful too. Does anyone know if it helps with anything in addition to fatigue? Like dryness?
Thanks!!!
Sparkle