Aa
Does this sound like anyone’s experience with Adrenal Insufficiency?
First off, let me say that I’m not looking for a diagnosis – and obviously no one here can diagnose me – but I’m trying to do some research for my own sake.
In any case, here’s a brief synopsis of the last few years of my life:
For the past three years or so, I’ve dealt with what I can only describe as an overwhelming sense of fatigue. For the first two years, it was basically the sensation of never feeling rested, always tired, sluggish, etc.
Then last year, everything went downhill…really fast. My health simply deteriorated. I started having difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, seizures, exhaustion, and so forth. At first, my doctors though it was a psychiatric issue, then a neurological, and now they are not sure what it is. This is vague, but the jist of it is that my symptoms that I experienced nearly a year ago don’t fit into a psychiatric issue nor a neurological problem. Fortunately these problems have stopped.
In addition to those problems, I’ve had a few more that no has been able to explain (nor attempted). For instance, before I started experiencing the “big” problems (i.e. hallucinations, seizures), I had this feeling of shortness of breath. On two occasions, I went into the ER for this problem. The first time it happened, it was because I had the shortness of breath, plus my arms went numb. After a blood test, they said my sodium was low, and the potassium was out of whack (forget if it was high or low). Regardless, they gave me a saline solution IV, and told me it was probably because I had a panic attack (despite being a very calm person). The second time, they again told me my sodium was low, and did the same thing.
Since then, everything has seemed to worsen. Last year I weighed 180 pounds at 5’5”, all muscle. I used to work out every day. I’ve dropped to 140lbs last time I checked. I have no appetite. My blood pressure is abnormally low – it varies between 90/58-110/70 (it used to be consistently 120/72, and no one has any explanation). My heart rate is now 83 (used to be 50). I wake up every morning feeling extremely nauseous, sometimes with a headache, and it usually wears off in the afternoon. My stomach is usually upset, plus constant diarrhea. Lately, my muscles ache as if I’m suffering from the flu.
The worst part, at least in my opinion, is that I’m beyond tired. I don’t mean like I need a brief nap and I’ll be refreshed. Say I wake up at 7:00AM and take a Modafinil (aka Provigil). I leave for work at 8:30AM (by somehow getting myself out of bed). I get there at 9, but before I go in, I have to rest in my car because the drive wiped me out. I work till 1ish, and take another Modafinil. By 3 I want to go to bed, but I somehow push through until 5. Then I go home and go to bed between the time I get home (6ish) and 9 at the latest. Oh, and when I get home, I’m so tired I feel physically sick. And it’s only Monday! I found that it gets harder as the week goes on. For the past 2-3 weeks, I’m done by Wednesday, and I unfortunately have to call in sick Thursday and Friday. It doesn’t matter how much sleep I get; I’m perpetually tired!
I’ve had a sleep study done, and nothing’s come of that.
Sorry for the long post, but I’m trying to figure out what is going on. From my research, adrenal insufficiency keeps coming up, so I figured I’d post a question here. My doctor says I’m too young to have any form of adrenal insufficiency (I’m 21), but a quick google search pretty much disproves that.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
In any case, here’s a brief synopsis of the last few years of my life:
For the past three years or so, I’ve dealt with what I can only describe as an overwhelming sense of fatigue. For the first two years, it was basically the sensation of never feeling rested, always tired, sluggish, etc.
Then last year, everything went downhill…really fast. My health simply deteriorated. I started having difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, seizures, exhaustion, and so forth. At first, my doctors though it was a psychiatric issue, then a neurological, and now they are not sure what it is. This is vague, but the jist of it is that my symptoms that I experienced nearly a year ago don’t fit into a psychiatric issue nor a neurological problem. Fortunately these problems have stopped.
In addition to those problems, I’ve had a few more that no has been able to explain (nor attempted). For instance, before I started experiencing the “big” problems (i.e. hallucinations, seizures), I had this feeling of shortness of breath. On two occasions, I went into the ER for this problem. The first time it happened, it was because I had the shortness of breath, plus my arms went numb. After a blood test, they said my sodium was low, and the potassium was out of whack (forget if it was high or low). Regardless, they gave me a saline solution IV, and told me it was probably because I had a panic attack (despite being a very calm person). The second time, they again told me my sodium was low, and did the same thing.
Since then, everything has seemed to worsen. Last year I weighed 180 pounds at 5’5”, all muscle. I used to work out every day. I’ve dropped to 140lbs last time I checked. I have no appetite. My blood pressure is abnormally low – it varies between 90/58-110/70 (it used to be consistently 120/72, and no one has any explanation). My heart rate is now 83 (used to be 50). I wake up every morning feeling extremely nauseous, sometimes with a headache, and it usually wears off in the afternoon. My stomach is usually upset, plus constant diarrhea. Lately, my muscles ache as if I’m suffering from the flu.
The worst part, at least in my opinion, is that I’m beyond tired. I don’t mean like I need a brief nap and I’ll be refreshed. Say I wake up at 7:00AM and take a Modafinil (aka Provigil). I leave for work at 8:30AM (by somehow getting myself out of bed). I get there at 9, but before I go in, I have to rest in my car because the drive wiped me out. I work till 1ish, and take another Modafinil. By 3 I want to go to bed, but I somehow push through until 5. Then I go home and go to bed between the time I get home (6ish) and 9 at the latest. Oh, and when I get home, I’m so tired I feel physically sick. And it’s only Monday! I found that it gets harder as the week goes on. For the past 2-3 weeks, I’m done by Wednesday, and I unfortunately have to call in sick Thursday and Friday. It doesn’t matter how much sleep I get; I’m perpetually tired!
I’ve had a sleep study done, and nothing’s come of that.
Sorry for the long post, but I’m trying to figure out what is going on. From my research, adrenal insufficiency keeps coming up, so I figured I’d post a question here. My doctor says I’m too young to have any form of adrenal insufficiency (I’m 21), but a quick google search pretty much disproves that.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Have you been tested for Lyme disease? Your symptoms sound a lot like those of a biotoxin illness. Such as Lyme, toxic mold exposure.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Adrenal Insufficiency Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
