Thanks everyone for your responses.

Michelle: Yes, I think 3am & 3pm is a good compromise. My dose of 6mg daily of Prednisolone is equivalent to about 24mgs of hydrocortisone and possibly a little more, because of Pred’s extra potency. I have attempted to find the dose that suits me best and have found that 6mg generally keeps me at the correct levels. (I think the last few weeks when my levels were up -17-OHP 2,000ng/dL with elevated ACTH also, was because I had this underlying pneumonia going on).

Now that I am feeling better (from the pneumonia) I need to discuss all my options for osteoporosis treatment with my GP. The endo wanted to put me on HRT and I am very hesitant to do so. I have no other menopausal symptoms. I have been taking calcium supplements for several years but not always religiously. As regards weight bearing exercise, I do what I can, but due to the very painful legs and feet that I have developed the last couple of years, walking and standing is getting harder to do. I’m trying to find if there is any relationship between connective tissue weakness found in people with adrenal disorders versus connective tissue breakdown because of prolonged steroid use, as a possible cause for these symptoms.

Carol: Thanks for your kind thoughts. The endo did mention he thought it could be possible that if the doses were too close together (even 6 hours apart)  there might be some measure of  oversuppression for a few hours ie. too high blood steroid levels, which could precipitate bone loss. I had been taking my doses at (3am & 7am) for about 16 months. To be honest, I hadn’t thought that there may be a connection between a closer timing of doses and osteoporosis, especially in these longer acting corticosteroids, but I suppose it’s possible.

Paul: I’m starting to look at all my options re. calcium supplements/treatments. I guess osteoporosis is something you know happens to other people but you don’t think it can happen to yourself - especially when there is no family history of it - all strong bones in my parents/grandparents.

Aimee: How right you are! Why are we the ones that need to initiate all the questions. Why can’t doctors help to educate us from early on?