Hi I’m a 43 year old female, and I have been battling so many different symptoms, like pain, lose of energy, rashes, blood levels, anxiety, stress, I could just go on and on. I have a lot of GI problems and 15 months ago I was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital. I came to find out that I had an ulcer that perforated on my stomach. I had to have emergency surgery and was fighting for my life.
I had been feeling worse with all my other signs and symptoms since that surgery. I landed back in the hospital again after several visits where they finally discovered I have Addison’s disease, as well as lupus. My life of a 43 year old that used to do many things like traveling, boating, and working, no longer was the same. My Addison’s (adrenal insufficiency) has caused me many problems as well as my lupus. Taking so many medications has its side effects as well.
Addison’s needs to get more awareness like every other disease. Us women, younger women, and children need to fight this like a girl! We need help to get awareness out there to the world, the people need to know. Nurses need to be trained and be more aware, as well as other health care providers so us women, or girls, can have the knowledge of this terrible scary disease. We can fight this ugly terrible disease “like a girl!”
Thank you for taking the time to read
Monica
Arizona
Submitted 09/04/2013
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Hi Monica! I also have adrenal insufficiency (secondary). I was diagnosed in 2001 and Had never heard of this disease before that. I learned a lot over the years including how to listen to my body, when to call the doctor and when to get the ER. Hoping you are coping well and fighting like a girl!
Thanks for sharing your story. Here is my story that is on this great site.
http://www.fightlikeagirlclub.com/2011/09/maureens-fight-like-a-girl-story-addisons-disease/#.UilK38akp8-
Hello, Thank you for letting me know about your story. At first I felt as if I was reading myself… Your right it does consume your life. The disease sucks. Just as the others. I think it’s led it even harder when you have other stuff going on like myself , & you. But I don’t really know because I wasn’t lucky enough to just start off with one disease. I really hope you are doing well. I’m at a real struggling point right now, & I’m fighting like a girl! I refuse to let all this garbage take over my life!
Blessings
Monica
Hi Monica, I am so sorry to read your story. I have had a perforated colon and I am secondary AI. Can I ask if you hemorrhaged at childbirth?
My Best
Lisa aka HypoGal
Hi:),
I’m sorry to hear that… It’s a rough recovery, and very hard to adjust to. I hope that you are doing ok. I still have problems , my colon just hasn’t worked properly after the Ulcer perforated . To answer your question, I’m not sure. My biological mother & her twin passed when I was very young. Blessings:)
Regards,
Monica Larsen Davis
Hi Monica! I’m Rachael, thanks for your great post. I’m 17 and I have Addison’s and Lupus as well, good to know there are other people fighting with me 🙂
Monica,
You are not alone there are a few of us to fight!:-) I have Addison’s disease primary and secondary with hypothalamus failure, with Lupus. I also miss so much of the world out side the window glass. I use to run, hike, run fundraiser’s, Camping with fishing! All things change, fundraising I still get to do!!
I walk with a Cain ,one sometimes two. I am determined to to be wheel chair bound. Keep fighting.
As to research Stockholm Sweden has done the most research and also the most recent investigation into Addison’s disease!
Monica,
My wife was diagnosed with lupus in 2009 and was diagnosed with AD just a few weeks ago. In 2010, a mass was found on the head of her pancreas that was about to turn into cancer. As a result, they did a Whipple procedure which gave her a new digestive system. It is a very radical surgery that people will never fully recover from. I hate to see her suffer. Is there any support groups for husbands?
Thanks,
Brad