Adrenal insufficiency

@bfinch2016 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m glad you found this site. I’ll be very honest, I don’t know much about adrenal insufficiency even though my doctor kept telling me that I could have it any day. 8 years later, I still haven’t had any problem with it. A good doctor will tell you about problems that could come up, just so you will be aware of those symptoms causing the problem. You want to be aware and ready to call your doc or go to the ER. Ask your physician what are the most important symptoms to be aware of, and then keep a copy in your wallet. Now that I’ve said that, let’s let the more knowledgeable members give their experiences!

I know a lot about an adrenal insufficiency called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. My adult daughter diagnosed as an 8 year old. Doesn’t produce enough cortisol so takes prednisone. Lots to learn in beginning but gets easier as time goes on. I suspect yours isn’t her disorder but if there’s a more specific diagnosis I might be of help. If you don’t want to share that, I understand.

I read up on Addison’s which is different but more common insufficiency but both require steroids of some kinds for life due to insufficient production of cortisol. The daily dose (along with a second drug you may need to take) covers daily life. But your doctor probably covered stress dosing when you have fever over specific number he/she calculates. Then you take a stress dose because your body can’t make more as it would naturally. We found worst was stomach flu. We would stress dose but then she’d vomit up the pill. That’s when she needed an injection of additional steroid. Didn’t happen often. Assuming you are an adult you can learn how to handle it. She still carries emergency kit in her purse and doesn’t think about it much at 38 with a family and two daughters. Best to you on this learning curve. We called it medical management.