Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
My sister just sent me a message last night stating that her blood work found her to be slightly low in cortisol. She has a tumor (likely endo) on her adrenal gland which i'm guessing is causing it. Still, growth hormone deficiency runs in the family and I am worried it is something severe like Addisons. Her e-mail said something about treatment being risky and dangerous and that she would rather her lifespan be shortened and not be in pain then to live a full life in pain. Is she trying to tell me something? She is very heavily medicated and is very much out of it, but still scary. Also, I myself read the symptoms of Addisons and I swear I have every single symptom except for skin discoloration. It describes me to a T. Now i'm worried I could have it. Probably just all in my head, but I know my pain and fatique isn't. Could I have Addisons? And, I am petrified of losing my sister who is ridiculously ill.
I wish I could offer better advice but I know nothing about the condition, I'm sorry. There are far more knowledgable people here who, no doubt, will lend u their wisdom and insight.
I wish u peace and light, kuno, (((Kuno)))
Gargoyle
And if you are worried about the Addinsons why not get tested? You may just be low in a vitamin or mineral or something as simple as that. Worrying about the worst case scenario will only cause you more stress, so why not bite the bullet so to speak and find out whats going on
*hugs*
I agree with Fairy in that waiting until your sister is not so heavily medicated would be the best time to chat with her.
I do know I have had a host of people with different illnesses, pain issues, etc tell me they would rather pass on than live with pain. I don't know that they truly want to die, but I think people have a tendency to think that way (even those of us in emotional pain).
Prayers for your sister and you go get checked if it'll make you feel better! xx
Now about this whole Addisons thing.I read up on it quite heavily last night. Even if it is Addisons, it is easily treated and does not shorten ones lifespan. You simply just need to take steroids to make up for a deficiency. That's it. Also, my sister has a cyst on her adrenal gland which I am almost certain must be causing this. Her doctor said that her cortisol level was only slightly low. If she had Addisons, her body wouldn't be creating any cortisol, right? Now, what IS dangerous is when cortisol is used in the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases. But, if your body is lacking cortisol and you take it to even out the levels, it is rather safe. Pretty sure she is confusing herself with that. She has been on treatment with cortisol for awhile now, and says she feels wonderful. That's GREAT! We found what is causing her pain and it is easily treated! She is just scared because she does not know the facts.
Now, this is where things get complex. My sister is on a RIDICULOUS cocktail of medications which could easily kill her. So, it is not endo, fibro or addison's which would kill her. It is this stupid cocktail of painkillers she is on that is going to do it. She is CONSTANTLY landing in the hospital thanks to these medicines. And, there is no time where she is not drugged up beyond belief. I have been around drugs as Baltimore is the heroin capital of the world and have seen friends die and mess up their lives from this crap. I swear my sister looks exactly like a heroin addict. She needs to stop or she is going to die. This is what has me petrified. This is the list of medications that she is on that I know of:
Methadone, Oxycodone, Zanaflex, Xanax, Ambien, Adderall, and now Cortisol. How does any of this make any sense? At one point, she was on three different SSRI's and went into serotonin shock numerous times until her doctors decided to take her off of them. Are they idiots? Are they just cashing in by putting her on as many medications as possible?
I need to get a car and see my sister. It infuriates me that I can't get to her house to see her and be with her. A zipcar would cost about 120 bucks to get there are spend adequate time with her.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.
the doctor's who prescribed this combo should have their licenses yanked. methadone and oxycontin alone is a brutal combo.