All depends on the pain and how you feel you're tolerating it. The only time I've taken a substantial increase in medications was for my c-section the day of, after that I was on my normal dose all throughout my recovery. I have taken 5 extra mg here and there for a boost or when I've been really sick but only after a few days and I was getting worse. I'd say if you're super anxious about getting your tooth pulled then try an extra 5mg before the procedure, they should have you on some pretty good pain meds afterwards so I wouldn't really worry too much afterward increasing your HC unless you feel you're having problems :)

Good luck!

I've only recently been diagnosed, so do not know a lot. I was told to double up for three days, starting on the day of.

Hope this helps :)

How much steroids are you on daily? That's what I would want to know before saying anything about how high to stress dose for the tooth and dental appt. When stress dosing you usually stress dose at least 2 days then taper off for a few days back down to your regular dose. If I'm on 30 MG a day of HC, I stress dosed up to 50 MG the night before my colonoscopy, and the day of the procedure. Then took two days to get back down to 30 MG a day. It is really up to the individual and their personal health problems, besides the adrenal problems. Three times seems high but if you are on a really low dose daily then that might be a good stress dose for you. I hope this helps you.

After my colonoscopy I ended up using my emergency injection kit 5 days later from constant diarrhea. So each event is different. You really need to listen what your body is asking from you. Good luck.

22 Lynn & gash...I currently take 10 mgs. of Cortef in the morning, 5 at noon and 5 at about 3-4 in the afternoon. It doesn't seem like this is enough for me because I still feel so fatigued! I've only been diagnosed since last week and so have not been taking Cortef for that long. I'm getting horrible flare in my hands because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis too and though that the Cortef would help with that too but it's not.

Weird that you would still be so fatigued. I'd maybe try 10/10/5 to see how you feel. I remember feeling so wired after getting on steroids. I was started at 30mg/day - 20/10 dose but lowered mine over time as it was too much for me personally.

Good luck!

I am no expert in this (Hubby has only had Addison's since Oct last year) but if you are using energy to fight the pain of a flare, you could need to up your daily dose a touch to help. That could be what is causing the fatigue.
My Hubby is supposed to be on 10/5/5 according to all the medical books, but he can't function on less than 10/10/5. Each person is different and you will need to play with your dose for a month or two to find out what is right for you. Maybe increase by 2.5 at lunch time for a week or two and see how that goes?
As I say, I'm no expert, but this is what My husband has had to do.

I have an extremely good endo who actually did her doctorate on auto-immune disorders with a focus on Addison's. She has had me on the same recommendations for high pain/stress situations. When I had a colonoscopy I tripled the dose for one day before and two days after. That recommendation seemed to work out just fine; I had no problems. I had minor surgery and did the same thing.

Since you are just DX I would go with the Dr recommended stress dose this time. It is a high dose, but you are having other health problems currently and don't want to go into a crisis. One week on steroids is a really short time. It took months for me to feel better on the steroids. I still have the fatigue 10+ years later.

Thanks for all of the awesome replies! I have just doubled the dose and it's also helping my Rheumatoid Arthritis flare in my hands. My fatigue is a lot better today. I'm looking for a new endo through Ohio State University. There is a really good one there so hopefully I won't have to wait forever to get in. Thanks again!!

Hia, I'm on 15 .5.5 don't under estimate, the dose, if in doubt take more, ween of gradual. If you look at my recent update journal, you will see the doses, I was on,wow it was high,without the floudro too. Also , something I have learnt it, not all Addison crisis"s have low blood pressure when diagnosed , me it goes through the roof. Take care Lezleysheartsoyoux