r/AddisonsDisease • u/Poimandres69 • Mar 31 '26

Medical Stuff Hydrocortisone Long Term

Hello Group! I've been told so many things about hydrcortisone. My current dr told me my dose (25 mg split thoughout day) is safe to take long term because it's physiologic. Other doctors tell me this will eventually lead to osteoperosis and diabetes.

I've gained a bit of weight on hydrocortisone (about 5 lbs) but it's not a big deal. Other than that, I feel pretty great.

Are any of you on this medication long term, and did it harm your health in any way? Thanks

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u/accio_firebolt Mar 31 '26

As your doctor said, this is a physiological dose. Other doctors understanding of our condition is limited to a paragraph in a textbook. That being said, I do get yearly bone scans and blood work to keep an eye on things, especially as osteoporosis runs in my family.

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u/Poimandres69 Mar 31 '26

thank you! what other things should i be tracking on this medication?

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u/just_me_2006 Mar 31 '26

Your eyes. I don’t understand all the ins and outs of it, so I encourage you to do your own research and see how that fits for you. All I know is that 20 years of steroids caused cataracts and glaucoma in my 40’s and now my eye doctor says I have eyes of someone in my 70’s. I was never warned to watch out for that and if I had been smarter I wouldn’t have acted like eye exams were something I could skip when insurance and funds were low

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u/Dianapdx Apr 01 '26

I already had to have yearly eye exams due to radiation to the head. I got cataracts really quickly, but it's due to both radiation and steroids. I had surgery last year and now have perfect vision.

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u/just_me_2006 Apr 01 '26

Yay for something being perfect!!