The last 10 years have gone so damned fast. Faster than the first 30 some. Being diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency has made all the difference in my life. I am so thankful to be diagnosed with AI. My health is the best it has ever been. I'm no longer always cold and/or sick. I've dreamed big and far surpassed all of the athletic goals I once thought impossible. I was given many years where I was able to keep up with my son as opposed to making the poor kid cook for himself at the age of 5. I started my own online community for people with AI and it's turned out to be so wonderful for me, full of friendship, love support and information.
Despite the struggles of AI, it has been a wonderful thing for me. It's provided me with a life that I never knew I could live. I've made friends all around the world. Many of them, I will know for the rest of my life. AI has also given me the opportunity to learn about the body and how it works, about pharmaceutical companies, medical studies and hell, I've been sent to Trinidad because of this disease. I'm healthier now overall than I ever was growing up. What a gift!
Thanks to everyone who has become my friend because of this disease. Thanks to friends without AI and my husband for listening to me rant about the injustices of the medical systems around the world and here in the US.
Adrenal Insufficiency has provided me with an opportunity to discover where my passion lies (empowerment, medicine, advocacy) and has given me chances to see different sides of this disease and where I fit into it. I know some form of advocacy, aside from the forum, is where I'm going with this disease.
Thanks to all for being a part of my life with AI!
Dusty
6 comments:
Yes, this exactly! I feel so sad when newly diagnosed Addisonians get on the message boards and are told immediately that they have a horrid disease that they will struggle to manage. Like you, I've never felt better than I have in the years since my diagnosis. I too am glad for the day the doctor finally identified what it was that was going on.
I also have AI and hypothyroidism. I'm training with osteo arthritis in my foot and trying very hard to lose weight. Right now I've plateaued and I'm in a lot of pain.
And I do feel better since diagnosis but I'm having a lot more pain now that we've got my cortex dose levelled. It's getting very difficult to exercise,
Can't say as I was thrilled to find out I had AI 2 years ago. It is comforting to know why I always bonked when pushing it too hard for too long. I often had a feeling of guilt when I declined to join my wife on the days when she and some of our other friends wanted to ride 60 + miles. I knew what it would do to me. I didn't yet know why.
I am pleased to have found this group and your experience is helping me learn to adjust my meds to my level of activity. I've been such a whimp with my HC until lately and am feeling better for it.
Keep it going.
Pip, glad you're doing well.
Holly, I look forward to seeing you on the forum!
Larz, come join us at the forum www.addisonssupport.com There are some pretty athletic addisonian's there. :)
Being a very active type 1 diabetic for 30 years with hypothyroidism and then being so sick and deteriorating for the last couple that I couldn't even ride 10 miles was very frushtrating. Sick and pain and weakness. Just being diagnosed with AI has given me a little hope that I might get some of my life back.
Hi Anonymous! Come join us at the forum. www.addisonssupport.com. There's another Type 1 diabetic and has hypothyroid along with AI there. She could probably help you out a lot!
Have you been checked for celiac?
Dusty
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