Q: Since Addison patients are prone to bouts of dehydration if medication is slightly off-balance, is there any advantage in taking 'Dioralyte' powder after diarrhoea caused by a normal upset stomach? Would this be an additional safeguard?

A: There is no particular advantage in taking special electrolyte replacement therapy such as 'Dioralyte' after brief episodes of diarrhoea or other stomach upsets. Such replacement therapy is only required in very severe gastro-intestinal fluid loss and prolonged episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea. If that were to occur then medical help should have been sought long before the need to take 'Dioralyte' . It is of course necessary for patients having diarrhoea and vomiting to get their corticosteroid replacement therapy properly. If they cannot take it by mouth or keep it in the intestines long enough to be absorbed then they should have it by injection which in emergency could be given by themselves or some member of their family.