39 years old
I am writing this brief medical history for our newsletter from my hotel room in Saigon, Vietnam. Why tell you where I am? Just to let everyone know you can do anything or go anywhere even if you have Addison’s disease or Schmidts disease. I have Schmidts.
I will turned 39 in October and I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in 1989 ( after insisting for years for the test to be carried out even though the doctor disagreed). I have been on Oroxine ever since and even though I became sicker, and more mentally unstable the doctor referred me to a psychologist, ( I didn’t go) and suggested I take up meditation, try yoga, drink carrot juice, re-evaluate my relationship etc. etc. etc.!! As most of you can relate too, I became sicker and sicker, thinner and darker and my personality completely changed, as I became more irrational, aggressive, depressed, angry and plain just horrible to be around.
As a last desperate chance I went to yet another doctor who took one look at me and said I either had Addison’s disease or Bronze Diabetes. I was so far advanced he had me photographed to show all his medical pals!! I take Florinef, Prednisone, Oroxine and Zoloft. I was diagnosed with depression in 1992 and take antidepressants most of the time. I have a constant battle with my weight, I weigh 75/80 kilos, about 10 kilos overweight.
A few newsletter ago someone mentioned they get really hot, well me too, I feel like I’m burning up sometimes and it’s not early menopause! I also really feel the cold much more than I used too. When I was first diagnosed in winter and I couldn’t sleep without an electric blanket and a couple of doonas. Maybe my extra layers of padding keep me warmer these days, as I only have 2 doonas and a hot water bottle and 3 cats to keep me warm!!
I can be very vague sometimes and my mind just goes a completely blank. I’m also forgetful. Does this happen to anyone else? I wasn’t like that before and I don’t think it’s old age, then again!!!
I a team leader at Telstra working shiftwork.. I work nights and have been lucky enough so far to work the same time everyday. My body really goes crazy if I chop and change my sleeping patterns around.
I love to travel and live a fairly active life. I went on a moderate trek in Nepal last October. Needed a few shots of Cortisone on that holiday, the truth being I wasn’t quite fit enough.
I am no longer in a relationship and I’m much happier these days. I live with my sister and we are very close. We laugh lots. I have accepted that I have a disease and keep it pretty much under control but I don’t think I’d be game to stop the Zoloft.
I’d just like to say to everyone, you can do anything you want and be anything you want, don’t let this get you down, you’re not alone. JFK had Addison’s you know.
