My Story

After feeling more and more unwell over several months, I ended up in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford during February half-term 2024 with symptoms ranging from severe light-headedness, d&v, lack of appetite, very low blood pressure and blurred vision. After testing my cortisol levels (which were very very low), the consultant suspected I had a rare autoimmune condition called (Primary Adrenal) Addison's Disease, which was confirmed by further tests over the following weeks.

I hadn't heard of Addison's before being diagnosed which isn't surprising as it only affects 8,400 people in the UK. It is a disorder of the adrenal glands which produce two essential hormones: cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal gland is damaged, so it does not produce enough of either.

It turns out that these hormones are pretty essential for life, so I am now 'steroid-dependent', and will need to take steroids three times a day for the rest of my life. I'm also at risk of having a potentially fatal adrenal crisis (a sudden worsening of symptoms when the levels of cortisol fall significantly) so have to carry an emergency injection with me at all times. 

But the good news is that since starting the steroid treatment in February, I have gradually felt stronger and stronger. In fact, I have joined a gym for the first time in my life, and have gone back to jogging. 

There is one charity in the UK that supports people with Addison's Disease - the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group - and they have been invaluable as I have started to get my head around what this new normal looks like. They have a forum where you can chat to others with Addison's, run conferences, and very useful resources and a shop to order essential medical items. This year is the charity's 40th anniversary and so I am running the Vitality London 10k on 22nd September to help them continue their vital work.

I'd be very grateful for any sponsorship you can spare to help this vital charity. Thank you!!