Are rapid mood changes side effects of Hydrocortisone?

Question

Hello doctor,

My daughter has special needs. She had Cushing's syndrome and an adrenalectomy at the age of 8. She is now 31. She has had some psychiatric problems, and her current medication is 15 mg Hydrocortisone, 1 mcg Fludrocortisone, and 1.5 mg Risperidone daily. We have just taken her on holiday, and we had a terrible time. She was definitely suffering, anxious most of the time and occasionally hysterical, with rapid mood changes and often irritable, sometimes mildly aggressive. She showed poor tolerance to the heat and seemed to find it difficult to adjust her body temperature. She also has a toenail fungus for at least five years. Which of these symptoms could have an endocrinological cause? Could the fungus affect her in this way? Is there an alternative to Hydrocortisone if her symptoms are side effects?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query about your daughter. I must say that your daughter is rightly managed till now.

These symptoms are not endocrine related. They are more related to the psychological condition, which is pre-existent. It is not easy to adjust anywhere else if one already has a psychological condition. A change of place is always a cause of concern. The fungus should be shown to a dermatologist and assessed further, and it should not be left as it is. Although it will not cause any problems, but still better to have it treated. Usually, he will scrape it and find the organism and treat it accordingly. The treatment takes a long time. Hydrocortisone usually has lesser side effects compared to other steroids. But, that is not a problem here.

Hope you find my advice of some benefit. Good luck.