A year ago I was very ill, getting more and more ill each day without knowing what was wrong with me... I lost lots of weight, I was extremely weak and I had all the symptoms of Addison's Disease.
However, neither my GPs or hospital doctors noticed that all of my symptoms indicated Addison's Disease and instead suggested my problems were caused by my Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism and kept increasing my thyroid medication.
I am so thankful to be so much better now, a year later, thanks to my Mum, retired GP who saved my life by recognizing Addison's Disease symptoms and taking me to the hospital at Czech Republic where I received the right diagnosis and treatment.
Here is my Addison's story and paintings at
Story of creativity and Addison's Disease
I was just looking at some photos from the last summer and lots of memories came back to me...
Here is a photo with my lovely younger brother Tomas at Prague Airport in August 2015,
the week after I started medication for Addison's Disease.
I was still very ill and weak then,walking with walking stick, but glad to be alive.
And I am adding photo with my brother from May 2016 when I visited my family on 2nd anniversary of sudden death of my Dad.
Year 2014, when my Dad died, was year of many challenges.
It was probably during 2014 when my Addison's Disease began quietly develop without me, or anyone else noticing.
Looking back, I can see that I had many symptoms of Addison's Disease already, but thought it was just my Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism making my life difficult and I kept asking GP to refer me to Endocrinology.
And here is a photo with my husband and daughter in August 2015 at Prague airport when I was still very ill, but already getting treatment at Czech Republic during our holidays.
I was for the first time travelling in the wheelchair through the airports as I was too weak to walk. It was really eye opening experience for me...
A year later, July 216, I am still learning many new things on my Addisonian journey, especially new and challenging learning about how to cope with hot weather.
I very much appreciate support and advice from online Addison's support groups.
And I plan to start support group for Addison's Disease patients in my UK home town,
with the help of excellent Endocrinogy nurse Vicky.
I am happy to be alive, enjoy each new day, even when facing struggles and challenges.
It is a challenge to face situations where my Addison's Disease becomes a barrier and my other invisible disabilities make me feel more disabled, but I try to be positive and hopeful.
Painting and creativity helps me on this journey.
And my lovely family helps me very much too. Here, our wonderful daughter is making rabbit ears for me, to help me not to feel too serious about the life :)
