Addison's Disease Support Group

Jeep,
Do you have back problems? Muscle wasting can come from nerve damage when your back is bad and the vertabrae pinch on the nerves or spinal cord too much. Of course, it could stem from neuromuscular disease too, which is why they want you to get the biopsy I suppose - to check for some of those obscure things. I don't know much about those - I'd have to research. Don't you hate it when you think you found an answer, and then they shoot it down. I have had that happen so many times I stopped looking for answers. I feel your frustration. Wish there was more I could do.

Vanyel

Hi Vanyel.
I do have back problems actually. I have herniated disks (L4/5) and some disk degeneration and I think some spinal stenosis going on. I also have a congenital spinal fusion where my pelvis is probably now completely fused to my spine ( it was a partial fusion years ago, then showed more bilateral fusion in an MRI and by now may be completely fused).
I have considered that as a cause and i am sure we will have to re-evaluate it.
Before, when I was first tapering down off prednisone and then was put on HC and being taperd on that, the weakness was so profound and so all consuming that everything was an effort! And I mean everything including sitting up at my computer and typing...it was very difficult to even do that! I think that is why we worried about the Myasthenia Gravis ( which i was tested for and that was negative Thank God). I could not stand to shower, could not blow dry my hair ( so I had to cut it short) or put on my make up...or do dishes without resting ( still have days like that though). Even driving was hard as my legs were so weak that pushing the peddles was tough. Oh and carrying my purse at a store was hard to do.
The neuro did EMG tests and another test ( the one where they stick probes into the muscles and listn to the radio waves I think?)(that was a fun day! NOT!) She did say there was some kind of issue with the MD junction, but that was so long ago I do not recall what it was now. But I will be going back to her for the leg weakness..i LOVED HER! She WAS very gung ho on helping me figure this all out ( she too felt there was a causal link between all of my health problems..only we could not find that link and then I did not go back to her). Oh and this was scary for me, when the weakness was at its worst, I was afraid to lay down to nap for fear I would stop breathing. and yet i was so exhausted back then. I had called her on a weekend and she asked if I had anyone here with me that could keep an eye on me and i told her no. She offered for me to come to her HOUSE so i could rest! OMG! She was so kind!
That is scary weakness...to be afraid to lay down for fear you will not be able to breathe!
Explaining that to paramedics and ER doctors was, well...let's just say I felt like a crazy person.
so i am really grateful that the weakness NOW is not like that!
Ok have rambled on long enough...

Yes! I was just talking about how Addison's is causing muscle waisting and atrophy. I am thin from muscle degeneration from AD and I had severe atrophy prior to diagnosis. Yes! I believe that is a result of poorly controlled Addison's, which is me! YOU ARE NOT ALONE and you are right on track! Let's be friends and chat more about this!