Here's thread from back in January where we discussed supplements and our reg. meds :) http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Addisons_Disease/forum/11197412-regular-medication-and-supplements

However some may have an updated list, like me. Here's my breakdown:

25mg of Cortef daily
.05mg of Florinef weekly
synthroid daily

Supplements
B12 (I started taking this because I had really sore skin and B12 helps calm nerve endings, but it not only stopped the sore skin, some of my vitiligo has re-pigmented, and I find I have a lot more energy).
folic acid (I take this with my B12 supplement, it helps b12 absorb)
prenatal vitamins
Calcium (doc recommended)
Vit. D (doc recommended)
My daily "candy" if you will is Sugar Free Vitamin C chews 2-4 of them a day.
3-4 Thermotabs (salt tablets to help me get my daily requirement of salt. I was eating so much salt that my tongue was becoming raw so I added this in and have been feeling much more stable. Sometimes I take more if I've been super active outside)

I would definitely start taking Calcium and Vitamin D supplements at the very least. Steroids lessen bone density over time and by taking these you help combat it.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

- Kristen

I'm not surprised that your GP didn't give you a very good answer about taking supplements. My GP really did not know a lot about Addison's disease and did tell me that in med. school she briefly remembers touching upon information about Addison's during just one class (day) where they talked about rare auto-immune disorders. She was honest about the fact that most GP are not familiar with the disease and that it can be rare that even an endo gets a patient with moderate to severe Addison's.

As for taking calcium, vit. D and B complex along with a very good multi-vitamin I believe it is essential to your health. Every really good article on Addison's talks about the support of supplements along with the needed meds..

Also, did you find a nice medic alert bracelet yet?

Elemental Calcium & Vit D are a must for us. Since Multi's are insufficient for me and I'm gradually turning towards Eastern Supplements, my list is in mid-air.

At the moment I take Gynostemma, Schizandra mixed with White Tea, Biotin, Vit C, E, Cod Liver Oil, B12 (injectable), Folic Acid, Milk Thistle, Zinc, Spirolina & of course Calcium & Vit D. When I feel run down, I add Echinacea & Astragulus Root. It's a hassle at times, but there're all beneficial & each serve their own purpose. I just wish I could compound them!

**Webber, how true! Med students do lack sufficient education about AD, but at least you rec'd an honest answer...a rarity amongst MDs.

I was given a few supplements just to build me up a bit, but should be off them shortly.

Every day, I take:

-20mg Hydrocortisone
-1/2 a Fludrocortisone tablet
-1 Omeprazole capsule (gastro-restraint)
-1 Iron Tablet
- 1 Folic Acid Tablet
-0.6mls liquid mulitvitamin

They're not necessary though. Once the Omeprazole, Iron, Folic Acid and multivitamin run out, I shouldn't be getting any more :).

-Claire.

I know I am responding to this post kind of late. I cannot tell you what supplements you should take but i can tell you what I take. I quit taking calcium and vit D because my calcium levels were unusually high, which is why I suggest you get your calcium levels checked. I take a multi vit and B-complex, which is why my B levels are high, but I don't particularly have a problem with that. I have chronic thrush as a side effect of the steroids, so I take Acidophilus and Fluconazole. I take fish oil with Omega-3 just because it has such general beneficial effect and it also totally controls my swollen alkles. DHEA is the most produced hormone from the adrenal glands, so I took it on and off but never felt it did me any good, except maybe make me a little irritable. However, I hear the effects are more beneficial for women. I have just discovered an over-the-counter supplement, Sulbutiamine (Arkalion) which sounds like the perfect supplement for Addisonians, but after 3 days of taking a high dose I do not feel the "magic" I was hoping for. I discovered Modalert, which can be puchased on line.For fatigue. It s in the mail, I can start a new post on my experience with it. I will do anything to overcome this nausea and fatigue!!! And lastly, although I don't advise it, I buy effedrine from the pharmicist and it totally gets me active and going, especially when I mix it with caffeine. But all these drugs just treat the symptom, not the cause. That;s why I recommend daily sitting meditation practices. To some degree we have the power from within to heal ourselves, or at least change our sick mentality to a health outlook! Namaste!Matt

I have been on prednisolone for many years and was never told that it would cause Vit D and Calcium defiency, however this was discovered just over three years ago now. I went to the doctor with severe joint pain and had trouble walking and bending my legs (I was 44 at the time) but they did not discover it was due to a defiency for some time. They eventually ran some tests and then put me on some strong Calcium tablets and I had a bone density scan which revealed I had Osteopenia which is the beginning of Osteoporosis. Due to my Calcium and Vit D tablets my Osteopenia has now been reversed and my bones and levels are now back to normal.

I think it is bad that your doctor has not recommended that you take these supplements as I believe they are very important. I would definitely ask your doctor to have your levels checked and to keep an eye on them. I am not really sure if Hydrocortosone has the same side affect and I can only speak for Pred.

Not really very sure about B12 is this something that we should be taking and if so why? I am keen to take anything that would help.

Here is what I have been told
Endo and immunologist Calcium, Vit D, acidophilus
Hematologist B12
Primary Care and Reprodutive Endo Calcium, Vit D, Acidophilus, Vit C
I added in Omega 3 for good measure, once a day for Woman
Rx Potassium 20 mg 2xs per day
For me I still require Rx Vit D twice a week even with the calcium and Vit D chews.
My fiber pills also gives Niacin, Vit B-6, Folic Acid, Vit B-12, Biotin
I will be asking next time I see my cardiologist about the Fish Oil or I will ask Primary Care he is well informed one.

I take B vitamins, B12 shots, Calcium, Boron, Nettle, Licorice root and more.Each of us is in individual. I have other medical reasons to take other supplements. And yes, most Doctors, and ER know much about AD and they usually do not study about nutrition or herbal and mineral supplements. I do muscle testing to discover what i need and what is good for me.

muscle testing, I never heard of, this is as good thing since I am going to see my endo for the second time since being diagnosed in 5-months. alway good for more information....

Muscle testing is fairly easy to master. Many chiropractors use it or naturapthic doctors.By using this method, your body responds as to what is needed, what will work and what is not necessary or will not work. It is amazing!!

The Drs just dont do any preventive measures. Just keep in mind my Dr told me he likes Vit D in the 70s or higher mine was lowerer then that and one of my Drs said it was ok and another said no. The one who said no specializes in natural stuff bio identical hormones ect. so Il will go with him. Dont take your Drs word for it get a copy of your labs and look yourself.