Hi:
Hoping maybe someone could answer a few questions for me for those of you with Addisons. I was told by my endocrinologist that I exhibit low adrenal dysfunction by many of my symptoms, but my bloodwork is borderline. I noticed several of you mentioned pigmentation...Is tanning darkly in some areas (like in blotches 2-4 inches wide and long a symptom of Additions? I get it on the top of my arms from the wrist half way up. I also get it along my jawline and around my mouth. The other weird thing is when my legs tan, I have areas where it tans but then I get tiny little white spots that never tan. My back will tan but get large white spots that never tan. I also have dark circles under my eyes even though I did not react except to ragweed. Do any of you have the dark circles? How about when you get a cold - is it a sinus infection waiting to happen? Just curious if this sounds like I am in the early stages of Addison's. Thanks in advance for your time. Dawn2

I tried [another website] but they do not offer advice of some of the medical emergencies I have had with "no answers." The medical staff I have had during these experiences say it's allegies. I disagree. My daughter-in-law has many allegies and she has never experienced what I have. I will get a cold and will totally lock up. My research mentions lock-up - vacuum affect, etc. This is what I experence. NO DOCTOR has taken me seriously. I've had intense cluster migraine, )for 2.5 months)(officially diagnosed by cat scans, etc. by a neurologist. By the time I reach the specialist, I have enough adrenaline flowing to stop this cyle. By the way, I do have a MRI that states "stenosis of the lower spine." I am so frustrated as I know something is not right, but I will not settle for trying to understand what is "truly" wrong with me. Thanks a million. Dawn2

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 08-25-2002).]

Dawn, adrenal fatiuge (aka subclinical Addison's) is hard to get a doctor to diagnose and treat. Some books that might offer some good information for you would be:

"The Safe Uses of Cortisol" by William Jeffries. This is a more technical book geared toward doctors, but details testing and proper interpretation of the tests as well as treatment protocols.

"Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome" By James Wilson. This is a book geared toward "normal" people like us and discusses nutritional and lifestyle changes that might make a difference.

My experience is that getting on some Cortef (Hydrocortisone) taken 10mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch and dinner has made a HUGE difference in many of my symptoms. I no longer struggle wih weakness and irritibility if I wat too long to eat, my allergies are MUCH more mild, I sleep better and wake up refreshed, I can move around better due to decreased swelling in my joints, I don't have the dark circles under my eyes, I bound out of bed in the morning loose and limber rather than crawling out all stiff and achy...the list goes on.

I combine the two approaches in the books listed above, adn am thankful to have a life returned to me.

Dawn:

You mentioned hyperpigmentation around your lips. I, too, have this, but actually it is just on my upper lip...along the line of the lip. I describe it as a sort of puffy (just a bit) mottled brownish color and it runs nearly from corner to corner, but is only about 1/4 in wide if even that wide. Does this sound anything like what you have? If not, could describe what yours looks like so that I can see how similar they are? Plus, mind seems to be even more profound when I've been in the sun.

Marsha

My pigmentation's on my lower legs, and I thought it was from varicose veins. I've read that can cause darkening too. I never sunbathe because of my diabetes medicines, warning sticker on the med bottles.

My dark splotches are mostly on the left with the worst veins, pretty big area, from the ankle about halfway up to the knee.