I am new to this Board and I am looking to share problems and concerns and to hopefully find others with similar needs and challenges. I am insterested in hearing from anyone with similar symptoms and especially those with severe abdominal & flank pain, menses cessation.
My daughter is 31 years of age and spend most of time in bed and in pain. I am reaching out to this Forum to see what help is out there and what is effective. She has had both doctors and hospitals that seem to know little to nothing about Addison's. The last time she was taken to an ER in an Addisonian Crisis the ER Physician looked at me and asked what I thought that he should do for her. I managed to suggest that start an IV drip of Cortisol and then to call her Endocrinologist and not necessarily in that order. He started the drip and did not call her Endo.
The following list highlights some of what she is dealing with:
Addison's Disease
* Fatigue and muscle weakness that have gradually gotten worse over time.
* Occasional weight loss but primarily weight gain.
* Depression & Panic Attacks
* Loss of appetite and or increased appetite.
* Very Limited Darkening of the skin over scars and in skin folds.
* Blurred Vision, temporary blindness and black spots.
* Lightheadedness or fainting when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
* Bouts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain (the pain exists all the time).
* Periodic craving for salty foods.
* Ocassional shakiness and tremors or convulsions.
* Difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, depression and anxiety.
* Small “Buffalo Hump” found between shoulders and at the base of the neck.
* Distended abdomen and severe pelvic, abdominal and flank pain.
* Secession of menses, beginning about a year now.
Addisonian Crisis Symptoms
* Severe vomiting and diarrhea.
* Extreme weakness, lightheadedness, or feeling that I are going to pass out or die.
* Sudden severe stabbing pain in the belly, flanks, lower back, and legs; this pain is worse, more intense, than the chronic pain I experience on a daily basis.
* General restlessness, confusion, and fear.
* Changes in level of consciousness, such as having difficulty staying awake, or a total loss of consciousness; including tremors and convulsions. transported to the hospital on three occasions, unconscious and with severe tremors or convulsions.
* face turn pale and lips and earlobes turn blue.
* sudden penetrating pain or weakness in the legs, lower back or abdomen that is worse than my chronic pain condition.
* Low blood pressure
* Syncope (loss of consciousness and ability to stand)
* Hypoglycemia (reduced level of blood glucose)
* Confusion, psychosis, slurred speech
* Severe lethargy
the following blood irregularities during Crisis:
*A serum Cortisol level of less than 1.0
*Hyponatremia low sodium
*Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium level in the blood)
*Hypercalcemia (elevated calcium level in the blood)
Thank you!
The following user gives a hug of support to doug486: wanky (01-10-2012)
I have been an Addisonian for over 12 years.
I take 25 Cortef a day and more when sick.
You have listed almost all of the possible symptoms.
she may get most of them or some.
She should get a Medic Alert stating:
"Adrenal Insufficency NEED STRESS DOSE STEROIDS.
Also she should carry Solucortef in her house / car /luggage.
Need to know Friends and family should be well informed and on emerg. contact (I C E)
Just in case of emegergency.
Do Not get dehydrated at Any time. does not mean drink till you float but
too much heat or alcohol, will make her feel Very poorly.
Limit sugar and increase salt intake (if she likes it or not).
Be not afraid to Find (shop for) a knowledgable Primary Dr. (Over 50yrs tend to have more experience in this area). also a good Endo. I have asked many what they know about Addisons and rejected them if I knew more than they.
The Doctor she chooses Needs to be someone who can get her in for an appt. with in a couple of hours in order to get Meds on board as soon as poss.
She Will need antibiotics as soon as she feels infirm as Addisons is an Auto immune disorder.
Scott
Quote:
Originally Posted by doug486
Hello
I am new to this Board and I am looking to share problems and concerns and to hopefully find others with similar needs and challenges. I am insterested in hearing from anyone with similar symptoms and especially those with severe abdominal & flank pain, menses cessation.
My daughter is 31 years of age and spend most of time in bed and in pain. I am reaching out to this Forum to see what help is out there and what is effective. She has had both doctors and hospitals that seem to know little to nothing about Addison's. The last time she was taken to an ER in an Addisonian Crisis the ER Physician looked at me and asked what I thought that he should do for her. I managed to suggest that start an IV drip of Cortisol and then to call her Endocrinologist and not necessarily in that order. He started the drip and did not call her Endo.
The following list highlights some of what she is dealing with:
Addison's Disease
* Fatigue and muscle weakness that have gradually gotten worse over time.
* Occasional weight loss but primarily weight gain.
* Depression & Panic Attacks
* Loss of appetite and or increased appetite.
* Very Limited Darkening of the skin over scars and in skin folds.
* Blurred Vision, temporary blindness and black spots.
* Lightheadedness or fainting when getting up from a sitting or lying position.
* Bouts of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain (the pain exists all the time).
* Periodic craving for salty foods.
* Ocassional shakiness and tremors or convulsions.
* Difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, depression and anxiety.
* Small “Buffalo Hump” found between shoulders and at the base of the neck.
* Distended abdomen and severe pelvic, abdominal and flank pain.
* Secession of menses, beginning about a year now.
Addisonian Crisis Symptoms
* Severe vomiting and diarrhea.
* Extreme weakness, lightheadedness, or feeling that I are going to pass out or die.
* Sudden severe stabbing pain in the belly, flanks, lower back, and legs; this pain is worse, more intense, than the chronic pain I experience on a daily basis.
* General restlessness, confusion, and fear.
* Changes in level of consciousness, such as having difficulty staying awake, or a total loss of consciousness; including tremors and convulsions. transported to the hospital on three occasions, unconscious and with severe tremors or convulsions.
* face turn pale and lips and earlobes turn blue.
* sudden penetrating pain or weakness in the legs, lower back or abdomen that is worse than my chronic pain condition.
* Low blood pressure
* Syncope (loss of consciousness and ability to stand)
* Hypoglycemia (reduced level of blood glucose)
* Confusion, psychosis, slurred speech
* Severe lethargy
the following blood irregularities during Crisis:
*A serum Cortisol level of less than 1.0
*Hyponatremia low sodium
*Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium level in the blood)
*Hypercalcemia (elevated calcium level in the blood)
