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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jazzmine 08/23/2015

Well, I may have figured out what the terrible nausea was. Yesterday I woke up at 5 am with such nausea I couldn't even stand up. also had violent headance and ached all over. By mid day I knew I was in big troule and being concerned about adrenal crash, my husband called an ambulance to take me to E.R. I could not stand by myself. I was really scared because I have not been given the 'crash kit' with the injectable steroids. My blood pressure was not low so part of me felt it could not be an AD crash but I knew I was sicker than a dog
When initial blood tests came back they said it showed a massive infection and said they were going ot admit me. They gave me I.V's with antibiotic and Zolfran through a centra, line as they could not find a vein on me. But after all of the bloodwork came back they decided it was not a bacterial infection but rather was viral. They said I definitely was not in an adrenal crash. I just know I was so sick I thought I was dying for sure.
I am wondering if that virus was working on me for a few days and was causing that awful nausea? It's crazy though because why would it cause morning nausea for 4 days before it made me really sick?
I am just extremely confused about the whole thing. I am still very, very weak and tired. I am wondering, does AD make viruses hit you harder do you think? I have never felt so horrible in my life as I did when I was taken to the E.R. But now you know why I kept saying I was so nauseous. I was really, really illn

jazzmine 08/23/2015

Also, I forgot to ask in the question above, if I were truly in a crash/crisis would my blood pressure ALWAYS be low? I know I've read the people with Addison's Disease have low blood pressuure but I do not. I would love to hear if you have normal or low bp, and if you have ever been in a crisis, was your pressure real low?

Thanks.

Silkakc 09/13/2015

Yes, mine has always been low during a crisis. Besides that symptom, I had slurred speech, vision was all foggy like when you are really drunk, my fingers wouldn't function right and couldn't dial the correct numbers on the phone, legs are all wobbly like when you are drunk.

Increasing my salt has prevented this from happening.

22Lynn 09/14/2015

I have to say that a virus can make you feel like your going into an adrenal crisis. You usually feel much sicker than someone who doesn't have adrenal problems.

Did the doctor talk to you about stress dosing? When you woke up feeling bad, chills, headache, and nausea I would have started stress dosing then. Sometimes you can stop the slide of feeling worse and sometimes you end up in the ER.

Glad your o.k.

fishkybizniz 09/23/2015

You poor thing, that sounds horrible!! A bladder infection put me into an adrenal crisis towards the end of the infection. A virus hangs around longer, so it makes sense your immune system is in a battle . Taking a probiotic would help your immune system, but your nausea sounds too defeating for now. If you're in pain it drives the blood pressure up, so that could be a false call? Also being afraid could elevate the blood pressure. I think you're right to be skeptical. Too weak to get up is what happens to me. The adrenal system off messes everything up. The mild adrenal crisis went away weeks ago but it got my cord spasticity all worked up and still wearing me out. In the calm of your home you should get a better read on your blood pressure. Lastly, because you're on medication for Addison's your blood work is going to come back normal. They need to put you through a stress test to see what's going on behind the scenes. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. Your on my prayer list.

cookiennan 11/09/2015

My BP always tumbles down during crisis. You have to experiment with your stress dosing. I am really bad about it because I don't want to take one pill more than I have to but not doing it puts me in the ER and what could be worse? Also, I have learned to increase my fluid intake when I am stressed/sick or I end up dehydrated after throwing up and having diarrhea for a short time. I have only had one fever since I was diagnosed but it put me in dehydration very quickly.Hope you getting stronger every day. We do know how it feels to be sick, don't we?

cowgirl918 11/09/2015

Any type of fever or dehydration renders me unable to walk and stuck in bed weak as a kitten. That has never changed even with meds. I also take much longer to recover than my friends and family without AD. I am usually on a saline IV to keep me going. The longest period was 4 days during a bad flu case with high fever. I live on Gatorade and that also helps keep me hydrated and salted. My BP is always low when I am ill but will be higher if only mildly sick or at the doctor and nervous. in fact I hate going to the doctor so much I will often have a large drop for 24 hours after a visit as I recover. Hope you feel better soon.

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