Endocrinology Visit

Medical Update: 

Endocrinologist visit today. I have to go for MORE bloodwork. And I have to take an ACTH test. They're checking for adrenal insufficiency. That's Addison's disease. I don't know who Addison was or is. I just know that his messing around in my body means a 2 hour test at the hospital! 

Incidentally, about 20 yrs ago I told my then doctor that I thought I had adrenal fatigue. My comment went nowhere. No test, no questions. Nothing. 

Today, I learned that the actual term is adrenal insufficiency. And it is not a good thing to have. In fact can be life threatening. And if I get sick with anything, I can get sicker than anyone else. I could have told him that because that is what already happens, but most people don't notice because well, because. 

Symptoms include severe fatigue, muscle, bone, and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, back pain, HAIR LOSS! You can lose all your body hair. I haven't shaved my legs in over 30 yrs.

After he told me it could be life threatening if untreated he asked if I wanted to take the test to see if this was the problem. 🫨 

I said of course I do. 

Then he said he's also decide if I need an MRI of my pituitary gland because this can sometime be the result of damage to that gland. 😮.  But he doubted it and if it was a tumor he was 99% sure it was benign. 

Treatment: Steroids the rest of my life. 

He pointed out that it was probably why I always felt great after they gave me steroids. However, the steroid would be a low dose and a different kind. 

I go next week for that lovely long test. Two hours! Crazy. I hope I can read a book while I wait.

In hindsight, it was an entertaining office visit. And hour later I was on my way to get lunch and I was thinking about all this and what it meant. I started laughing. 

No, not hysterics. Really laughing. All I could think was that my life has been awesome, wonderful and so exciting. Every day a new adventure. I have been so blessed. I know people all over the world and have seen things most people never see and done things most people never do. And I'm so grateful for all that I've lived through. 

So, I'm good. God is good. If tomorrow is bad, he'll still be good. And life will still be exciting.

Follow Up

My test went well but I was sick on my stomach when I got up this morning. I had to fast for this test and for two hours I thought I would throw up. After I got there and settled in my stomach settled but i was still not well all day. I came home and went to bed. I'm a little better but am looking forward to going back to bed. 

Thanks for all your prayers! The results are in but I have no idea yet what they mean. We'll just have to wait until he reviews them.