Re: Crashes are now so severe - this is new to me - is this a crash?

Hey Wired,

Yes - the fact your pituitary isn't 'normal size' - from the scan - it has to have a large implication to your health. Although - the body is clever and whatever element of it's functioning is compromised - it has an amazing ability to achieve balance using another way.
I don't know the mechanisms of how that occurs if the pituitary is hindered - perhaps your hypothalamus is taking on the workload, or amygdala.

It's interesting that your pituitary is smaller than it should be -when any gland is noticeably smaller on scans it normally signifies a natural atrophied state...due to over-use in many cases. The adrenal glands also can shrink/atrophy with advanced AF/insufficiency/Addison's.

I would have thought a tumour would have shown on your scan. Parathyroid glands, when tumourous tend to grow much larger - also adrenals - so would have thought they ruled out tumour by the shrinkage of your pituitary.

Definately worth getting a second, third opinion on your scan.

Like you - all last year was a nightmare to go out - i had to enforce dehydration otherwise i had no bladder control. I've literally stopped the car in the middle of a country lane and had to pee instantly - loss of bladder control is scary when young!
The stress of traffic, people, activities made it impossible for me to drive. I would lose it completely, and lose bladder control. I didn't know at the time about the adrenals while i was going through that hell - but it explains why so many with Addison's are agoraphobics - having very little cortisol production literally makes all normal life activities terrifying.
My family/friends have no idea what it's like and just think i'm stressed 'cause of hard work of late. The doctors think it's all in the head...it's a nightmare...when ill it's kinda impossible to have the will to educate ego-maniacal, god-like doctors.

Like you my pee was always clear - except sometimes when i had bouts of vomiting, diahorrea, night sweats, constant nausea - it would suddenly turn dark orange/reddish.
The aldosterone secretion from the adrenals that governs electrolyte balance (sodium primarily) becomes out of whack - it's something i'm still battling. Sometimes i'm super thirsty - but of late i've had very little thirst - barely managing a pint of water a day. I include many herbal teas a day to at least get some liquid into me.

As you have a doctor who is empathetic and wants to help - it's a good position to be in to ask for tests regarding infections. Ask for immune function tests too.

It's not right you're battling this on your own - it's a challenging road - do you not have any family you could move in with? Or close friends? Despite other people being very uneducated about AF - if they could realise how much you're struggling, surely they would be happy to help. Or have a friend move in with you to share rent costs etc, relieving financial pressure and providing company?
I guess the help has to be asked for as most don't know how to help. Truly - ask for help, even if the situation won't be ideal - ask for help if you feel at a dead-end.

I'm crashing again due to trying to detox and do a parasite cleanse - trying to run before i can walk - big mistake. My liver didn't like my efforts and i feel very low again. Temperature plummeted again to 34-35, hypoglycemia bad..constipation and no strength to do enemas. I've abandoned the cleanses and am just resting, sleeping, taking it slow again - it's a vicious circle...so frustrating. One step at a time, day by day of being careful not to push it - gaining strength - that's my focus. My trouble is optimism - i have one day of feeling some energy - get over-excited and start to push! My face is so bruised from landing splat on it ;-) I'll learn..:-)

I hope you're managing well today *hugs* Tweet