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CLINICAL OBSERVATION: Marked improvement in a severe case of narcolepsy but not cataplexy on cortisol replacement therapy after decompensation of a primary non-Addison adrenal insufficiency
  • +2
  • Dr. Carolina Diamandis,
  • David Seideman,
  • Marius Lazar,
  • Lucas Smith,
  • Martin Gangnon
Dr. Carolina Diamandis

Corresponding Author:diamandis@lazar-consortium.com

Author Profile
David Seideman
Faculty III, Jewish University of Colorado, JUC/LSS Teaching Office Luxembourg
Marius Lazar
LCG Greece
Lucas Smith
LCG Greece
Martin Gangnon
Faculty III, Jewish University of Colorado, JUC/LSS Teaching Office Luxembourg

Abstract

After the short-term administration of 20mg/d prednisolone (orally) in a previously non-steroid-treated patient with iron storage disease, the steroid, which is omnipresent in clinical practice, led to paradoxical foudroyant symptoms, but above all to a reduction of 80% in the extreme narcoleptic symptomatology, not however in the cataplectic component. Masked primary adrenal insufficiency was revealed. An improvement in narcoleptic symptoms of about 50% was also maintained under oral hydrocortisone-only substitution therapy.