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
Hi, I can't sleep, it's 3:00 a.m., and I'm so scared of hot weather that we'll be having in CT, in two days.
I've written about this before, and I won't go into the whole thing, but basically, when temps. go up into the mid to high 70's F., and beyond, it becomes a torture to me. I am caring for my dad, and must drive him here and there, and get his meals, and when it gets hot, all I can do is moan with each breath, cry, swear at a god I don't even believe in, and writhe around! In short, it is unbearable!
My body overheats at the drop of a hat...I can develop a fever in seconds! But why the agony, I need to know what's happening inside me, and the doctors simply dismiss it, because they don't GET how much it makes me suffer.
I'm not a depressive person, but it gets so bad that I want to die. There have been days where I kept jumping into a tepid shower...and was so hot that the luke warm water felt like ice! I try extra cortisone and florinef...sodium....water....nothing helps! We have an AC, but it can't cool the whole house.
Anyway, my endo. doesn't think this is related to Addison's....but he had no ideas to offer me. I'm sorry to ramble, but I don't mind saying that I'm scared....I can't imagine living through yet another summer! I don't expect any solutions, just had to share with someone. Thanks for listening.
I've written about this before, and I won't go into the whole thing, but basically, when temps. go up into the mid to high 70's F., and beyond, it becomes a torture to me. I am caring for my dad, and must drive him here and there, and get his meals, and when it gets hot, all I can do is moan with each breath, cry, swear at a god I don't even believe in, and writhe around! In short, it is unbearable!
My body overheats at the drop of a hat...I can develop a fever in seconds! But why the agony, I need to know what's happening inside me, and the doctors simply dismiss it, because they don't GET how much it makes me suffer.
I'm not a depressive person, but it gets so bad that I want to die. There have been days where I kept jumping into a tepid shower...and was so hot that the luke warm water felt like ice! I try extra cortisone and florinef...sodium....water....nothing helps! We have an AC, but it can't cool the whole house.
Anyway, my endo. doesn't think this is related to Addison's....but he had no ideas to offer me. I'm sorry to ramble, but I don't mind saying that I'm scared....I can't imagine living through yet another summer! I don't expect any solutions, just had to share with someone. Thanks for listening.
Thanks for your support...and I can imagine how crazy the mid-70's problem sounds from someone in So. Texas!! I do get some better as the season goes on, I think my body acclimates a bit...but the humid days are coming, and that's no good.
I'm sorry you have Addison's, but good you were diagnosed...that's half the battle! i wouldn't worry too much about the heat bothering you, if it hasn't, already. It really doesn't affect all of us, in fact, many can't take the cold!
Best of luck to you, and yup, keep hydrated!! :)
maria ~ i'm so sorry about your mom. i hope that you have some great memories with her that are helping you through this tough time. i haven't lost my parents, but they and my grandparents (on my dad's side) were very young when i was born, so that my beepa/grandpa could literally have been my father, age-wise. he and i were very close; he was just the greatest, strongest, most interesting man, and we had the coolest relationship. he died 6 years ago from complications of an accident that left him paraplegic; he suffered w/the injuries for 8 years after the accident ... anyways, this is something i'm *still* not over quite as much as i probably should be. when i miss him, i close my eyes and fill my head w/as many memories of him as i can @ one time ... it's like a sensory overflow, almost. sometimes, for a split second, it's like he's not gone. i don't know if this makes sense or sounds crazy, but it's something that helps me, and makes me happy thinking of him rather than sad. just thought i'd share.
krissy ~ i would DIE in your city. in two days, max. holy $hit, girl!
judith ~ i'd love to do that autumn dance w/you, but i don't think i'd have enough time, since autumn seems to last about four flipping minutes in chicago. we'd have to *really* have our choreography down, @ least ...
all~ thanks for the suggestions on the coller-downer ideas! i actually have another one for ya. it's by sharper image, and my grandpa used it after his accident when he was on a TON of meds
(lots of them pain meds, which as you probably know can *really* make you hot!). i've been meaning to order one, and will be now that this thread has reminded me (thanks, judith!), so i can't give my own review, but i know it worked wonders for my grandpa. it would cool him down numerous degrees, and make it bearable for him to be out in hot weather.
here's the link to it on sharper image:
http://www.sharperimage.com/Toys+Leisure/CoolWare+Personal+Cooling+System+with+motorized+fan.axd
before finding it on sharper image, i found it on amazon. i'm pretty sure the price is the same, but amazon seems to be out right now.
however, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page there are quite a few other suggestions for personal cooling systems - also worth looking @, methinks!
here's the amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sharper-Image-Personal-Cooling-System/dp/B000XO2LNC
if anyone tries any of these, please let me know how they work, and i'll be sure to do the same.
thanks guys - stay cool!
xo, misa
I hope you're dealing OK with the heat wave, alright.
And I hope all of you here, are taking it slow, and keeping as cool as possible!!