ICYMI: Adrenal Insufficiency Knows First

Debby begins by telling us about an episode she had recently. She was just sitting in a chair, playing a computer game when she suddenly had a buzzing in her ears, became dizzy and momentarily blacked out. The next day, she was sick.

Her adrenal insufficiency flared long before any other "normal" symptoms of the illness occurred.

If she ever starts crying for no reason, or is very sleepy, she knows an illness is brewing. Other people struggle with brain fog or slurring of speech. Personally, I struggle with coordination and an increased dizziness. Whatever these symptoms are, it is very important that you learn how to recognize them. It is our early warning system.

Upon noticing any of her symptoms, Debby immediately updoses. Please check with your doctor and determine your own course of action for updosing. For Debby, she'll take 5 mg of HC and then wait 30 minutes before she re-evaluates. For me, I set a temporary basal rate on my cortisol pump that allows me to increase my medicine by a certain percentage.

Also, women, be mindful around your monthly cycle. Some women (I fall into this category, by the way) notice low cortisol symptoms kicking in a day or two before they begin their cycle.

Why does this happen? Why does Adrenal Insufficiency always seem to know first that something is going on in our bodies? Our immune systems are compromised. They do not respond to infections and stress in a normal or typical way. Clinical presentations of infections may be atypical. Also, the severity of the infection may be masked, which allows the infection to become advanced before being recognized.

We will feel the low cortisol symptoms long before the actual symptoms of the virus or illness show up. I can definitely relate to that statement.

Jo, another blogger within the Adrenal Insufficiency realm, just posted her experience with AI knowing first here. Her husband, Derek, had a few off days with his Adrenal Insufficiency before they discovered he had a UTI. Through pro-active up-dosing, she and Derek were able to avoid a hospital stay!