Addison's Disease Support Group

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone

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rbtowing 11/10/2011

I have been reading about people using this drug, my biggest concern is the chances of getting cancer. I have enough to deal with with Addison's and do not want to be fighting cancer as well.
What are you option's about this?
Here is a link to the Mayo Clinic, which is mentioning the different cancers that can be associated with taking it.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dhea/NS_patient-dhea
Just would like solid concrete evidence that I will not get cancer from taking something.

deleted_user 11/11/2011

As long as you get your hormone levels checked regularly to make sure you stay within a good range, I don't see an issue with it. The Mayo Clinic does list different cancers but that can be associated with higher hormone levels. If you are taking DHEA to get your levels back up to normal, I would expect the risk to be minimal. For me, the benefits seem to outweigh the risks. I'd rather be healthier now plus I feel like my long term health depends on me trying to be as healthy as I can now. Just my humble opinion. Good luck to you!

rbtowing 11/14/2011

thank you for your opinion, It is always good to hear about other people's choices they make when deciding on medicine. I will look more into it, thanks

deleted_user 12/18/2011

I have been taking DHEA for maybe 2 years now..and I feel it has helped with my fatigue. I had not heard or read about any cancer links until your post and then I read the link.
No one can give you a guarantee that you will NOT get cancer..there is no concrete evidence about that for anyone...
Truthfully, with all of the TV ads nowadays saying if you took this medicine or that medicine and got cancer call the law offices of such and such, just about every drug out there has now been linked to some cancer or another....

rbtowing 12/21/2011

Jeeplibby2, do you have more energy from DHEA? I haven't had energy for a long time since being diagnosed. just enough to be normal but would like more. I do go back to my doctor in January and will bring this up with her, thanks

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