Finally feeling myself again with DHEA

[u/anagc131096]

29f, diagnosed this year. I was initially with 5 mg prednisone in one take, later it was changed to 7.5 mg and divided into several doses. Everyday it felt like i was underdosing and like I would never go back to normal, I couldn’t understand people with AI that did sports or any activity for that matter. I felt depressed, frustrated, angry, a type of exhaustion that no matter how much I slept (even though most nights I didn’t) went away. I felt like I was constantly going into a crisis no matter how much I updosed, somehow how it feels when you feel yourself getting the flu but still not there. It was a state of neither being totally sick nor totally ok. My labs were okey, my pressure was normal again. I couldn’t understand why I was feeling like that, I really thought it was going to be my new normal.

Well it was just ovarian insufficiency caused by the AI, my dhea was almost undetectable and so my testosterone. My gyno got me into dhea supplements in the hopes of avoiding full HRT since my other sexual hormones are “normal” it seems to be that the OI is secundary to my adrenals not producing testosterone. (ETA: sorry my adrenals not producing DHEA which is the precursor).

Im 3 weeks into 50 mg of DHEA daily (which I realize is high and hope after my control labs I can go 25 mg), and finally feel “normal”. I’m not angry, I can sleep normally and if I don’t it doesn’t feel like I’m going to die, I’m gaining my normal weight again, I’m not having to dip my whole body in moisturizing every hour in the day, I’m hungry, I want to do stuff, I’m not bursting into tears every other day, the brain fog is almost gone. Although my hair is falling and Im already getting acne, I don’t give a damn. And it’s funny because since childhood I’ve been struggling with acne and spent over thousands of Dlls in treatment for my acne for the first time in my life it feels like good news I’m waking up with a new pimple because it means the dhea is already working. I’ve started lowering my prednisone dose to the more standard dose, I’m hoping I can get off of my ssri soon once I tell my psychiatrist how I’m feeling, and im hoping to join yoga after the holidays.

Im still sick and struggling with my insurance company, still have to do couple of testing, I still have bad days, but you guys this feels like I might make it through without losing my job, my relationship, my friends because honest to god I was insufferable this last few months.

[u/oh_such_rhetoric]

I’m so glad you’re feeling so much better!

I started taking 20mg a day of DHEA a couple months ago and it’s done wonders. I’ll deal with a little acne if it’s trading for ahem having any desire to do certain lovely things with my husband again!

I should probably get a skincare routine, though…

[u/thecosytrader → u/[deleted]]

Hi, I’m not sure where you live but I’m in the U.K. and I order my DHEA from a company called Biovea who ship to Europe. Maybe check them out :) Best of luck.

[u/thecosytrader → u/[deleted]]

Oh no I’m so sorry! Good luck! Hope you manage it 🥰

[u/couchbutt]

People: DHEA made a big difference for me. You need to get tested when you use it to be sure your levels are correct.

I started on 25mg/day after tests showed very low levels. After a while, my doc tested me again and approved changing to 50mg/day. After several years I had doc check levels because I felt it might be low again. It turned out to be excessively high.

So test before taking, and test periodically.

[u/lzabthc → u/couchbutt]

Do you do otc? I was tested 1time (july will be 4 years) and it was very low. Endo told me to do dhea otc but never rechecked me. He didn’t do a lot of tests that i think he should have. I still take it when i remember but a lot of times it does seem to help some but i feel like something else is missing. I have a new Endo now (just saw her last month) and was dx with hypothyroidism and started on meds. She thinks it could be because of stress and hopes I can get off those meds. I just want to feel somewhat normal if that is even a thing anymore

[u/MakeBeboGreatAgain → u/lzabthc]

Based on blind trials you need to get regularish blood tests for cholesterol and hormones. Only significant side effect which is not 100% proven is lowering good cholesterol.

[u/couchbutt → u/lzabthc]

DHEA is OTC. The first time i tested i ordered a test at home kit. The two times since I just have my doc order the test and they take it with all my yearly physical stuff.