I was wondering if you could assist me please. I have had OCD for around five years now but at a level where it was manageable. Around 18 months ago I was diagnosed with Crohns disease and as a consequence I was put on repeated doses of steroids Pred and Entocort. Lately my OCD symptoms have become worse especially after starting to taper off the last long term therapy with Entocort ( 6 months on 9mg ). My G.P told me that my OCD might have gotten worse because when coming off Entocort my body had to start producing its own cortisone and because it must be at such a low level it could have effected the chemicals in my brain which in turn agitated my OCD symptoms. I have read your book 'Listen to your Gut' book but I couldn't find anything to help naturally bring the cortisone levels to normal and help repair the suppressed adrenal glands. Could you please help me by suggesting if 1. the theory by my G.P sounds correct ? 2. if there is anything I can take to help naturally bring the cortisone levels to normal and help repair the suppressed adrenal glands? Thank you

Hi There,

Use the Index in LTYG to look up "Adrenal Gland" and you'll find numerous helpful bits of info throughout the book - the main one, with instructions on what to do, on pg.309

Sorry, but I can't comment on your GI's theory, check in with your gut - see "Dialoguing With Your Body" (pg. 350) and see what your body says.

all the best,
Jini

Dear Jini,

1 week ago I finally finished tapering off Entocort. I had my G.P check my thyroid levels and cortisol levels and she said they were both normal. Even though I was on steroids on and off for the last 2 years and Imuran for the first year and a half stopping that only 6 months ago. my serum cortisol was 493 nmol/ L (ref range 119- 618) and my Plasma Parathyroid Hormone was 1.7 pmol/ L (Ref. Range 1.5- 7.6). I read how you had low thyroid levels and high Cortisol levels and your G.P said your initial results were normal and that your adrenal function was normal when in fact they were not. Were your levels very out of range or were your levels on the low side (thyroid) and high side (Cortisol) as mine are?

Kind regards
Michael

Yes, they were just inside the "normal" levels, but many hormone specialists feel the ranges (especially for thyroid) are incorrect. Best to find someone who specialized in hormones and have them assess you.

take care,
Jini

Dear Jini,

Did you feel worse when you began coming off the steroids etc. than when you were actually on them? And in theory if I was on Entocort for 5 months at 9mg (given my past two year history of on and off again steroids) and tapered down to 6mg for one month then 3 mg for one month then nil, shouldn't I still experience problems as I have been or would that tapering regime eliminated the side effects of Adrenal and Hormone problems?

Kind regards
Michael