12-06-2014, 10:41 AM
Rather than revive the old thread, I decided it would be easier to just start a new thread to let everyone know what is going on with my health (for those who may be new or didn't read my original thread, in the past few years I have developed excruciating pain in both of my hips (I have to walk with a cane and cannot walk at all on particulary bad days), I feel completely exhausted all the time and sleep in average 14-18 hours a day, and no matter how much I eat I cannot gain weight (in fact, consuming in excess of 3000 calories a day, I continue to loose weight; before this began I weighed 220 lbs and am presently 146.6 lbs).
SO...I had my first appointment with the Endoctoronologist, and she has diagnoised me with Secondary Addison's Disease. It was apparently brought on by 24 plus years of receiving corticoid treatments to counter another illness called Sarcardoisis that I was diagnoised with when I was 19 years old. Specifically, the corticoid treatments lead to a narrowing of the blood vessels leading to my hip joints which has caused aseptic necrosis of the "head" and "neck" of my femurs, AND it has also resulted in Adrenal Fatigue (possibly Adrenal Failure), which means my body has stopped making enough cortisoids on it's own.
I go back to the doctor this coming week for further testing, after which I will begin bio-identical hormone treatments. Normally, the condition would be treated with standard cortisol (like prednisone), however, in my case, prednisone is what has caused the necrosis (and pain) in my hips, which means I not only have to have the bio-identical hormones but I have to have EXACTLY the amount my body needs every day. To accomplish this, I will have to go to the doctor for blood work every month and give myself injections every day (really it isn't too much different from treating diabetes). If my insurance allows (and we can afford the co-payment), I will eventually have the inplantable pump surgically installed.
I have already started a pain management program for my hip pain, a combination of neural depressants, 3 day morphine patches, and a low dose of oxycodone as needed for "break-thru" pain. Though I am not enamored with the idea of taking pain medication for the rest of my life, it is really a question of what kind of standard of living I am willing to endure. Since I started the pain medication régime, I am MUCH more mobile and am even able to walk with out my cane sometimes, which has been absolutely FANTASTIC!!!
The doctor says that I will see immediate results as soon as I start the hormone replacement, which I am SO looking forward too! However, due to the LONG period I have suffered with this before I was diagnoised, I will have to start a 3 month physical thearpy schedule to regain my muscle mass and weight. I cannot tell you how excited I am to start the physical thearpy program!
I would like to thank everyone who was concerned about me, and those who were kind enough to send me PMs offering their support and advice. It truely meant a lot to me and made me feel much less alone in all of this!
Xoxoxi,
~Beaux
SO...I had my first appointment with the Endoctoronologist, and she has diagnoised me with Secondary Addison's Disease. It was apparently brought on by 24 plus years of receiving corticoid treatments to counter another illness called Sarcardoisis that I was diagnoised with when I was 19 years old. Specifically, the corticoid treatments lead to a narrowing of the blood vessels leading to my hip joints which has caused aseptic necrosis of the "head" and "neck" of my femurs, AND it has also resulted in Adrenal Fatigue (possibly Adrenal Failure), which means my body has stopped making enough cortisoids on it's own.
I go back to the doctor this coming week for further testing, after which I will begin bio-identical hormone treatments. Normally, the condition would be treated with standard cortisol (like prednisone), however, in my case, prednisone is what has caused the necrosis (and pain) in my hips, which means I not only have to have the bio-identical hormones but I have to have EXACTLY the amount my body needs every day. To accomplish this, I will have to go to the doctor for blood work every month and give myself injections every day (really it isn't too much different from treating diabetes). If my insurance allows (and we can afford the co-payment), I will eventually have the inplantable pump surgically installed.
I have already started a pain management program for my hip pain, a combination of neural depressants, 3 day morphine patches, and a low dose of oxycodone as needed for "break-thru" pain. Though I am not enamored with the idea of taking pain medication for the rest of my life, it is really a question of what kind of standard of living I am willing to endure. Since I started the pain medication régime, I am MUCH more mobile and am even able to walk with out my cane sometimes, which has been absolutely FANTASTIC!!!
The doctor says that I will see immediate results as soon as I start the hormone replacement, which I am SO looking forward too! However, due to the LONG period I have suffered with this before I was diagnoised, I will have to start a 3 month physical thearpy schedule to regain my muscle mass and weight. I cannot tell you how excited I am to start the physical thearpy program!
I would like to thank everyone who was concerned about me, and those who were kind enough to send me PMs offering their support and advice. It truely meant a lot to me and made me feel much less alone in all of this!
Xoxoxi,
~Beaux