Addison's Disease - Treatments
What was the treatment for your Addison's disease?
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How is Addison's disease treated?
Treatment of Addison's disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Cortisol is replaced orally with hydrocortisone tablets, a synthetic glucocorticoid, taken once or twice a day. If aldosterone is also deficient, it is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid called fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef), which is taken once a day. Patients receiving aldosterone replacement therapy are usually advised by a doctor to increase their salt intake. Because patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency normally maintain aldosterone production, they do not require aldosterone replacement therapy. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
During an addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood glucose, and high levels of potassium can be life threatening. Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone, saline (salt water), and dextrose (sugar). This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the amount of hydrocortisone is decreased until a maintenance dose is achieved. If aldosterone is deficient, maintenance therapy also includes oral doses of fludrocortisone acetate.
See what others are saying
My 14 year old son got sick and was diagnosed with adenovirus. Doctors said it was like Mono. He was hospitalized and given fluids even though he had no diarrhea or vomiting. His condition worsened. He could not sit or stand for very long. His blood pressure would drop for no apparent reason. He was very weak, and he craved salty foods. He lost 29 pounds over 10 weeks. His blood pressure would drop for no apparent reason. His skin darkened, especially his freckles and moles, they turned black. His speech was slurred, and he at times was confused. They were testing him for brain tumors and cancers. My friend's daughter (Brandi) passed away a few years ago and she thinks it was undiagnosed Addison's. I informed the doctors, and my son has it! He has been taking hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone for the past week. He is doing great!!!!
I have been suffering from nausea, vomiting, very fatigued, paleness, kidney infections, sinus infections and just recently started swelling in my face hands and feet this has been going on for about 3 years I have not be diagnosed with anything but I am 40 years old and can no longer be told nothing is wrong, I also have not been having a menstrual period for six months then all of a sudden start bleeding but was told in the emergency that it was not my menstrual period so why am I bleeding they seem to think that I am a hypochondriac which I am not please what should I do and where should I look to begin to see if it is possible that I have Addison's disease. I have been suffering since I was a child symptoms have been more prevalent for about three years now need answers need to know tired of doctors thinking I am making this up or that I am a drug addict thanks sincerely.
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