Can someone help me - Addison's Disease Message Board

Trisha · 01-16-2001, 10:04 PM

I am 23 weeks pregnant and I think I could have addisons disease. I was normal until I got pregnant and now I spend all my time in the hospital for dehydration. For 19 weeks now I have constantly thrown up, find it very hard to get out of bed, I sleep 12 to 14 hours a night and still cant function. I have lost 36 pounds cant seem to handle the cold and my blood pressure is low. I pass out all the time and for some reason I am addicted to the salt shaker. For a brief peorid they put me on predisone and I was fine and then they taperd me off them and I have been sick ever since could I have Addisons disease and is it possible for pregnancy to trigger it?

MichelleM · 01-22-2001, 01:26 AM

Yes, it is possible to contract addison's from pregnancy, but, it was my understanding that it happens after delivery. After childbirth, your body goes through a bigger hormonal change than at the time of conception and the immune system triggers the destruction of the adrenal glands. The other ways to get addison's are tumors on the adrenal gland or an infection in the abdomen. Mind you, I could be wrong about the timing being after childbirth! Regardless, many of your symptoms do sound like addison's. The test is a simple blood test and can be requested easily by your doctor. Remember, your doctor is not God! He/she is human and capable of mistakes like the rest of us! If you are not finding answers, go to another doctor! I spent 3 years being very ill and came within a couple of days of dying before it was found! My doctor did everything in HER power to find out why I felt so bad all the time, but not a test for addison's! Get tested ASAP! I will check the sight again soon to see if you have any questions for me. Best of luck to you,and I hope you find some relief SOON!

korken · 01-22-2001, 07:27 AM

Trisha, I agree with Micheal, get tested. You don't need to be worried any more then you are. I was hospitalised while preg, too Vomiting all day and night, blood too. Yuck! I had PIH and an emergency c-section. My corisol test showed no reportable levels. Then the follow up tests. Showed up okay, but not having cortisole in your system isn't good. They are thinking of replacement theropy but, they don't know long term effects, so I'm not doing it. Our son is now 2 yrs. I had very ruff pregs. 3 in a row to get our little one. I went into septic shock and almost died from the amneo. Our son was 19 weeks justation so he did not live. Then I was preg again a mo. later lost that one at 15 weeks cat bite, had parvo. Now, a healthy baby. I also have FMS, CFS. Keep calm get the tests, rest and find another doc. if you need to. I went to a high risk specialist after loosing the first 2. he docs. didn't think it nessesary but, as it turned out it was. Good, luck and let us know, Kim