Addison's Disease Support Group
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 occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone
When I was 13 I was really sick and went to the ER and they couldnt' figure out what was wrong with me and admitted me. Well I think I just had bronchitis or something but they found that might white cell count was very low and so was the iron in my blood. so they diagnosed me as anemic (which my stomach can't tolerate medicine for right now) So i got put on birth control to regulate my period. About 5 months before I started getting sick I switched from my normal birth control to another one that made me not have a period, shortly after they discovered my gall bladder had completely stopped working. So I was just curious if any of you think that maybe the hormonal stuff with the birth control could have assisted in the detioration (sp) of my adrenal glands. I was completely normal and healthy before I started that BC 3 years ago, no prior health issues at all except the normal allergies and the occasional bug that got passed to me. the only thing that has any relevance that i can think of is that i was exactly 1 month premature at birth.... i dunno... questons, comments all are welcome and well recieved. thanks for all your help everyone
Kristin
Kristin
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This isn't really bipolar related but there is never anyone on the parenting groups, this is the most active group I've been in.My 6yr old son has really bad seasonal allergies and they're in full force right now. He gets a terrible cough; he coughs all day and all night, making it hard for him to sleep, and his nose runs.I've tried every allergy medicine, OTC and RX, and none of them affect his...
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Is anyone here allergic to Sulfa that is currently taking Diamox? I have been diagnosed with IH now for almost 2 years. I am allergic to Sulfa drugs meaning that my throat will swell up so my Neurologist put me on Topamax. I was suffering from major loud whoosing noises and the topamax helped that but everyday I still hear those mainly between 6 - 12 pm. I am at my wits end and have not went...
There's not a sufficient research into what causes AD. Most common cause is due to autoimmune disease. Another reason is tuberculosis. Mine was caused by autoimmune disease. I suspect is was realted to my pituitary tumor. My endo denied the connection in 2006 when I asked the question, but I've since found a medical paper that suggests that excess prolactin can cause an autoimmune response. I didn't read the entire article (didn't feel like paying for it yet), but it certainly is an interesting theory.
Your doctor can screen you for the most common autoimmune markers that cause AD. It is possible you may never find the answer to what caused your adrenals to stop functioning.
I found it interesting you too mention the connection between Prolactin & AA responses. I get my prolactin levels checked frquently and as I (barely) understand, when prolactin levels are low, so are cortisol levels & vice versa. Prolactin is also responsible for numerous add'l neurotransmissions, ex: endogenous opioids, which I believe is why many AD's have terrible pain, i.e., hypothalmic-pituitary(?) pain pathways are inhibited. I wish I could get a handle on comprehending ALL of this, so "they" could pinpoint at least one hormone/neurotransmitter, to help in AD & tx of.