Crisis

"Hydrocortisone is Life" Babs

If you've got Addison's, the above statement is absolutely, positively no exaggeration.

In my story about Fran dying from complications of Addison's, I mentioned crisis. Erin asked this question in the comments:

So do you Addison's folks think these "stomach bugs" people get are actually bugs/viruses? Or are they triggered/originate from heading into an Addison's crisis? I've done a ton of reading about people's experiences with crisis, and "stomach bug" seems to be the most common beginning of a crisis. Just wondering if it's actually a bug, or if it's just the first symptom of the crisis.

It got me thinking about the Addison's crisis. We act as if, wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, we go into crisis with no warning what so ever. One minute perky and happy, the next minute passed out on the floor needing an ambulance. Realistically, I think the truth is somewhere in between.

In my case, my crisis was preceded by a migraine, too much alcohol, a two week stomach ache that I ignored or thinking that herbs and positive thinking (as opposed to antibiotics) were going to cure the feeling of peeing glass that was actually a kidney infection.

In each and every case, I knew a crisis was coming and probably didn't abide by the mantra, "Hydrocortisone is Life" and worked well within the detrimental boundaries of "Steroid Guilt". All it got me was an Addison's crisis and an expensive trip to the ER. I think if I had been rational, I would have doubled or tripled my HC as recommended by my mentor Wanda on several of the above occasions, and avoided the trauma and expense of the ER.

Signs of under replacement that can lead to a crisis:

• nausea and/or vomiting
• weakness
• heavy arms and legs
• fatigue
• low blood pressure/head rushes upon standing
• salt craving
• joint and muscle pain
• headache
• craving salt

When you're not feeling well for any reason, stop being tough or worried about taking too much steroid. Double up and avoid a crisis and trip to the ER. If you can't hold down fluids, give yourself the damned shot and head to the Emergency Room!!

Streaking again! Day 75 and counting

Streaking again. A minimum of one mile a day walking and three pullups most days. That adds up to seven miles a week and 75 miles over the course of the last 75 days. It's really a great feeling to have done this and continue to do it. I urge you, plead with you, do it too. Make a commitment to getting a minimum of exercise every day. Set your distance.

What? Did I hear you say you don't have time? If you have a treadmill, put a 1" X 10" board across the handles and put your lap top on top or your phone or your book or turn on the radio and drink your coffee. Be productive and exercise. Walk to the mailbox. Move your body.

Go out today and measure out .5 miles from your front door in various directions so you can go outside and walk a mile without having to think about it.

The reasons I'm pushing the streaking so hard:

1) Great sense of accomplishment

2) Easy way to motivate to get into shape and maintain it

3) Bragging rights

4) Americans are lazy and need a kick in the butt

5) Getting into good shape starts with baby steps, or in this case, a big commitment!

6) Because you can!!

I know of one person from the forum who started her streak yesterday. Yay you! I'm not mentioning your name cause I didn't get permission. If you want to post to the comments and out yourself, please do!!

Shelley, keep up your streak too. I'm really proud of you for fighting the roadblocks that are in your way. You're doing great!

Time to buckle down for some buckles

Buckling down for more of these buckles.

A broken hip has not dampened my enthusiasm for ultrarunning. If anything, it's made me even more enthusiastic and excited to run a few hundreds. When you complete a 100, you get a belt buckle.

I've decided to do the Big Horn 100 in June. The Swan Crest 100 in late July and either the Grand Teton 100 or the Bear 100 in September.

I've walked a mile a day minimum, every day for 72 days now (thanks Steve Tursi for the inspiration to streak again!!). By the way, walking a mile a day is a challenge that I encourage everyone to try. In addition to the mile a day, I've been walking and doing a little running. I've had several 50 mile weeks and a 26.2 mile day in the last 2 months! Right after the 26.2 mile day, I felt some (possibly misplaced) confidence that inspired me to sign up for Big Horn about a month ago.

Last week, I realized that Big Horn was 2 months away and decided I need to buckle down on my training. I need to start running more and walking less.

Here are some pictures from my outdoor training.

Running is never boring in Idaho and Wyoming, look what I found on the side of the highway an air gun.

Still lots of snow at the top of Teton Pass

I needed to use the restroom but it was a little inaccessible

Snow is melting!

I love this sign

My super fun friend Meara and I tackled the Aspen Trail today. We are definitely optimistic people because we kept thinking the farther we went on the trail, that there would be less snow. No dice. Lots of snow for over four miles! We took the road back around to the car.

Meara is standing in the spot of trail with no snow.