What is Addisons Disease
Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It...
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Injections/IV therapy?
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Have a question. My sister has recently told me that she's been diagnosed with Addison's - she's 49. Her internist only tested her after I recommended it based on some symptoms she had - it wasn't her doctor's idea. She said the endo started her on the pills - went to max dose on both - no results. Then she said that in addition to the pills she has to inject herself with the medicine four times daily. Still - no result. Now she's telling me that for the last month, in addition to all this - she is receiving IV therapy at home every Sat. from a home care agency - and she went from 1 bag to 2 bags. I don't want think she's making this up - but nothing I've read discusses this type of thing. And - according to her - she's sick, sick, sick all the time. And has to go to the endo 2x a week and for a 2-hour blood test every Sat AM (before the home care nurse comes). What does anybody think about this? Thanks for your time.
Posted on 06/06/09, 07:06 pm |
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Do you know what meds shes taking? The treatment you described isn't something I've heard about before (although I'm new at this too). From everything I've read, anyone requiring that much interdiction should probably be in a hospital. Perhaps the treatments are for the underlying cause of the Addison's? It's not always an auto-immune issue. 
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This does not sound like treatment for Addison's disease. First of all, there is no maximum dose on the pills. There are several kinds of steroid they can use to try to replace the cortisol. I have never heard of anyone requiring constant injections or IV infusions. These medications work just as well orally as they do injectable. I have no idea what is going on with her or what they are treating, but I think you need more information in order to find out. Like what they are giving her, and why. Sounds a bit odd.
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If she is not responding, then clearly the treatment is not the correct one. I have never heard of anyone with Addison's being treated that way. The only time that I've needed IV infusions was when I was hospitalized because of Addisonian crisis. I was throwing up from a virus and couldn't hold my cortisone down orally.
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