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

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Endocrine System
/ Addison's Disease Support Group

progression of AD

Latrece
Latrece
I have had Addison Disease for almost a year in February 2013. My doctor told me that I take the lowest dose of hydrocortisone he can give me. Because of some blood test and I have no true craving for salt, I take no other medicine for Addison Disease beside hydrocortisone. He told me as my disease progresses, he may need to increase my med. I take 10mg in the a.m. and 5mg between 2 and 3p.m.

How would I know what to look for when my disease progresses? If you don't mine sharing, how much hydrocortisone do you take? Did your disease progress to an increase in medication?
webber
webber
When I was first diagnosed 2 years ago, I did not need fludrocortisone but after a year I started taking .5mg/day. I started with 15mg of hydrocortisone (5-5-5)/day and now take 20mg. 10-5-5/day. This seems to be a good level for me at this time. Of course I do increase my levels in times of stress for short periods of time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You will know when it begins to progress. It might start with chronic fatigue, craving salt, headaches, weight loss, skin pigmentation, increased heart rate, etc. Once you start feeling any of the symptoms related to AD go see your endo for testing and your meds can be adjusted accordingly. I have been on the same dose for years and years (10 mg HC, 0.1 florinef early in the morning and 10 HC around lunch time). I increase the HC by 5 mg. when I don't feel well or when I am going through a lot of stress.
Silkakc
Silkakc
Latrece,

Please buy a blood pressure machine and monitor your blood pressure. The other med that's needed for Addisons is Florinef. It makes us retain sodium and excrete potassium. It keeps our blood pressure up so that we don't faint and go into shock all the time:)

I never craved salt either and my blood pressure was 90/60 after drinking insane amounts of coffee LOL!. My potassium levels were over range and it made me feel out of breath and my heart was beating funny from it. The only thing that got my blood pressure up over 100 was the Florinef. Did your Dr. test your Aldosterone level too I hope? That's what the Florinef replaces.

Lori
22Lynn
22Lynn
I have had AD now for over 10+ years. You have to learn to really listen to your body. You are on a small dose of HC daily. I started out on 30 MG daily, 20 MG in the am, then 5 MG in the afternoon, then 5 MG in the early evening. But now I am at the point where I go into crisis on 30 MG a day. My endo isn't happy that we have had to up my daily HC to 40 MG a day. I also Stress dose when I am sick or traveling. Everyone is different. You have to find what works for you. Good luck.