Adrenal Insufficiency Support Group

Well, just when I was getting better and stronger after the sciatica (which lasted a good two months) I went and fell. I was going into the drug store to get a script and they have this part of their sidewalk that is rubber and nubby, I think they did that because the sidewalk reclines down a slope. My toe caught the nub and I went flying - I was in a forward momentum so I tried to take a few steps to catch my balance, but with my right leg still being kind of weak it was just no going. I realized I was going down and it was like I was in a nose dive. I saw the concrete curb-bumper (for cars) coming toward my face and I thought for sure I was a goner. I hit it, hard with my face and head, I think the hardest hit was on my cheekbone because that's where most of the bruising and pain is. But the way I fell, the speed and full impact of it, it doesn't even make sense that my face wasn't entirely demolished or that I didn't have a serious concussion. I didn't lose consciousness though I was very dazed. I do think I have a slight concussion because both my ears have not stopped ringing since I hit. I also seem to have a broken rib though I didn't even notice that until I rolled over in bed tonight. They x-rayed my face and nothing broken there.

What I want your feedback on is, when it happened I nearly immediately started having low cortisol symptoms. Cramping, shallow breathing, stomach pain/nausea, and then after about 15 minutes I started that tremors/shaking thing. This has happened to me before, it is definitely a cortisol-low situation in a shock or high stress situation for me- I get so cold I literally start shaking. I know that the "fix" is my prednisone, which I carry with me. But the pharmacist that was there with me wouldn't let me take it, said to wait for the ambulance. And when the ambulance got there the paramedics said they weren't allowed to let me take anything! I kept trying to explain the situation to them but it was hard for me to concentrate and I couldn't get the focus/energy I needed to talk more than a few words at a time. I didn't get given the predisone until about a half-hour after I arrived at the hospital. So what the hey? If people prevent you from giving yourself what you need, what can you do? If I had had a shot with me, would they have given me that?? I thought about getting a card typed up with symptoms and whys of giving the med, maybe even getting a doctor to write a script for that that I carry with me? But if I had been unconscious, they would not have even known to look for a card or a script. The bracelet, which I showed them when I could't talk, was no use. They took it off and gave it to the ER when we arrived - which actually maybe did make them take me seriously and give me the prednisone faster than they might have. But in the emergency situation with the paramedics, it was useless.

Any ideas on this? I'm too sore to sleep tonight so thought I'd ask all of you.

Deb

Yikes! I'm so sorry you had that nasty fall, but it blows my mind that they wouldn't let you take the emergency medication that you needed! My medical alert tag says "Adrenal Insufficiency, For Shock or Trauma, inject 100MG Solu-Cortef Urgently & Saline Drip". But I bet they wouldn't have allowed that, either. It's one thing for them to say THEY can't give you anything, but to prevent YOU from doing so is just not right! Was there any chance that you could have taken your medicine anyway, despite what they said?

You really didn't need this trauma on top of everything else you have been dealing with! Do you need to follow up with your doctor or the ER about your broken rib or concussion? I sure hope you feel better soon. Hang in there!

So sorry to hear about your fall, sounds like you were very lucky not to be hurt worse. I have a great Endo n the first thing she gave me after my Bilateral Adrenalectomy was paperwork from THE NATIONAL ADRENAL DISEASE FOUNDATION INC. This can be downloaded at this site. I carry this info in an emergency kit my Endo and i put together, it has the paperwork, and emergency phone #s, my Endo's # and a vial of solu-cortef and syringes, extra meds. I am never without this stuff, I also have a kit at work. I guess I am lucky that I live in a small community and found a great Endo 30 min. away. Even though I have no adrenal glands I have to be treated the same as Addisons and Adrenal insuff. my body reacts the same as yours. I am new at this but I hope I was some help, have been to the ER 2 times since my surgury in Oct. 2011 and am always learning and looking for help. Rahni

My opinion Debs? You are in a far better position to determine whether you need emergency meds than any bystander or paramedic. That they "didn't allow you" makes them culpable of causing you major harm. Of course if you had body trauma that prevented taking the pill then you would administer the shot instead. Your own rational judgment of course has to be good. (ie care with head injuries)

I doubt there is any point trying to produce a document or any formalized information to these people. Their polices and "do nothings" will always override your wishes. On their plus side if you administer your own meds they can't be held responsible. Its also worth noting that if they prevent you then they could be liable!

Tough approach I know, but its your life.

Bob

I did submit my emergency paperwork to the EMT's and also the emergency room DR. and they did follow my paperwork. I guess that's what's good about living in a small community.

Post edited by: gmaaaj, at: 06/21/2012 02:28 PM

Yeah, I don't have the solu-cortef. My doc seemed to think I didn't need it. But after this I think I do and I'm wondering if I should wait till my next appt. in August or if I should email him.

Yesterday morning my husband got worried because I had trouble waking up, he kept coming in to wake me for over an hour and that's not like me at all. I missed an appt. with my physical therapist, also not like me. So he insisted I go in for a follow-up and they insisted I had a cat scan. As I thought, all was normal but at least I can go about my healing process now and my husband won't worry if I want to sleep in. I've been through a lot the past couple of months, my body just needs to heal.

I doubled up on the pred and I have to say, I've never had bruises heal so quickly before. Pre-diagnosis I would have a bruise for a month or more. These terrible, nasty bruises are receding quickly and I'm chalking it up to the fact that I have cortisol replaced in my system now!

Deb