DHEA for fatigue

[Sparkle]

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

[Butterfly]

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

[lynnmarie219]

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!

[Scottietottie]

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 

[TerriJ]

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

[Maria3667]

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?

[Sparkle]

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