Withdrawal Symptoms From Steroids for Crohn's Disease

Steroids used to treat Crohn's disease differ from the anabolic steroids associated with bodybuilders. They mimic the cortisone produced in the body. These steroids help people with Crohn's disease, as well as those who have allergies, arthritis, colitis, kidney disease and asthma.

Synthetic Cortisone

• Manufactured cortisone is either a corticosteroid applied to the skin or a systemic steroid taken orally or injected. It acts like the hormone cortisone.

Function

• Systemic steroid products regulate inflammation just as cortisone, their natural counterpart, does.

Effects

• With prolonged use, the body slows its own production of cortisone. For this reason steroids are often prescribed for a limited time period. Withdrawal must be slow to allow the body to increase production gradually.

Withdrawal

• Withdrawal causes imbalance of steroids, which can lead to low blood pressure and blood sugar levels as well as menstrual irregularities.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of steroid withdrawal may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue, and you may think you have the flu. Decreased appetite and weight loss may also occur and, occasionally, elevated calcium levels, fever, muscle aches and joint pain.