Rant: "Believe one who has proved it."

Believe one who has proved it. Believe an expert.

Virgil, Aeneid

Roman epic poet (70 BC - 19 BC) 

Here is a post where I'm going to sound like more of an asshole than usual.  I've seen many adrenal insufficiency forums over the last decade.  Many of them moderated by sick people with adrenal insufficiency.  The forums are also populated by the sick.

My forum is different (www.addisonssupport.com).  I am well.  I am active.  I study about adrenal insufficiency.  I can point you toward medical references.  Many of the people on my forum are well and active or have the desire to be well and active and are very well educated.  Despite this, there are people who have visited my forum and then gone to another with a sick or uneducated mod and sick and uneducated participants.  I am not offended but don't understand it.  These same people suffer frequent crises, are often on disability and have very dramatic lives.  They often come to me in a frenzy, wondering why the awful, uneducated advice from other forums or from uneducated doctors doesn't work.  I digress.

Once again, I have to say that when you have adrenal insufficiency and/or thyroid problems YOU have to work with and educate your doctor.  It is your responsibility.  Your doctor has about 15 minutes to spend with you every year or so.  You are totally fooling yourself if you think your doctor is spending one minute outside of your visit learning about adrenal insufficiency or normal lab ranges associated with adrenal insufficiency. Hell, about 75% of the time they don't have any clue what needs to be tested (LEARN and let them know!).

How this applies to "Believe one who has proved it."  Although I'm not working right now, I have a very, very busy life.  I'm proud of what I'm able to accomplish despite chronic illnesses.  I do more than people who are eating their healthy bodies into permanent illness.  Why am I able to do so much?  I follow my own guidelines.  I practice what I preach.  I am healthy.  I am well.  I am active.  Sometimes the adrenal insufficiency is a huge pain in the ass.  Sometimes I'm mad about it.  Most of the time, it's no big deal.  

Want to be healthy?  Print out what I've written recently.  Research what I've written.  Talk to your doctor about it.  Optimize your health.  You deserve it.  You need to be well.  Life is shit when you feel bad.  No one should live like that. 

You can come to my forum www.addisonssupport.com for free advice on your specific situation.  If you want personalized assistance in advocating for yourself (for a fee), please shoot me an email at contact@addisonssupport.com.  I can do email, phone, Skype or assist you on site.

Don't follow or listen to sick people who don't emulate the life you'd like to live!!!!!!!!!!!!  STUDY, LEARN, ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF!  Running ultras is not for everyone.  I don't give a flying crap if you don't want to emulate what I do.  Find trustworthy info and fly with it.  Get your life back.