Can Addison's Disease be Cured?

by Delia Reed
(Herlong, CA)

JFK Had Addison's and Was Supposed to Avoid Stress!

JFK Had Addison's and Was Supposed to Avoid Stress!

I have a Mennonite friend who was diagnosed with Addison's 2 years ago and is coming back with the Weston A. Price raw milk and high protein and enzymes studies. However, his doc told him his adrenal was "dead" and could never recover.


I reject that idea. But am I right? My friend is trying to get off the cortisone, he is buffing up with weightlifting, he sometimes skips a cortisol pill, he makes Kombucha tea and yogurt at home from his own goats' milk and I am very proud of him.


What is the reality about Addison's? Is his adrenal dead or will it recover?

Comments for Can Addison's Disease be Cured?

Click here to add your own comments

Why Does He Have Addison's Disease?
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

So, the question about your friend becomes why did he 'get' Addison's Disease? He obviously wasn't born with it or he probably wouldn't be here today. He 'developed' it somehow and if the CAUSE of his failing adrenals was removed (probably an autoimmune condition, excessive stress and/or nutrient deficiencies) or repaired, then why shouldn't he be able to restore them to 'optimal functioning'?

They may never be 100%, but having them at 50% or 75% is better than half the people living in the US and going to work every day under massively stressful conditions.

I'm a HUGE believer of the Weston A. Price diet and highly recommend the book Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats that outlines how to do it and is a wealth of research and recipes.

Doctor's pretty much believe that every chronic illness is incurable. Type I Diabetes is a 'dead' pancreas (another gland), but people have cured themselves of that, same with Thyroid problems. Heck, there is even a guy named Meir Schneider who was born blind and cured himself with his Miracle Eyesight Method that he teaches.

Doctor's think everything is incurable, and there is so much proof out there that they are wrong. And your friend is out to prove this too.. Good for him..


Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System
that guy is me
by: Anonymous

They said that I contracted Mono. Next thing I know it is Addison's.


So what am I supposed to do Ms. Knox?
Get an adrenal gland test..
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Well,

The first thing that I would recommend it to get an Adrenal Function Test and see where you are at.

Then you'll have some objective way of measuring your progress.


Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System
adrenal function test
by: Anonymous

How would this work when I am taking hydrocortisone and fudrocortisone? Would I have to stop the meds for the test?
stop meds if possible..
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Back again,

Yes, it would be ideal to stop your meds for 2 days minimum and 4 days ideally to do the adrenal test, but it can still give you some good information if you aren't able to be off that long.

The great thing about the salivary tests is that it tests your adrenal hormones 4 times throughout the day. High or low levels at different times of the day can tell us a lot about where the cause is coming from- and that's what we REALLY want to know.


I'd actually suggest that you do a full hormonal panel rather than just an adrenal panel, because that can tell us a little bit more about where your insufficiency is coming from.

Often, Addison's is actually coming from the pituitary - which is upstream of the adrenals and produces hormones that stimulate the adrenals- and not necessarily from the adrenals themselves. In other words, a stream isn't always dry because something is wrong with the stream bed or because there isn't enough water, but possibly because of a dam on the lake that's upstream.

So, that would be a good start and we could go from there.


Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System
Response
by: That Guy

Thanks alot for responding. They did a test where they pumped me full of pituitary horomone and the adrenals did not respond.

I will consider the tests.
Diet for Adrenals
by: NewBabyMommie

I find the Weston a price diet very interesting and seems like a very healing diet, yet I understand that an antiinflammatory diet is important to reduce dietary stress on the body and hopefully heal inflammation created in the autoimmune process. I'm interested in your thoughts on how to have an antiinflammatory diet while on Weston a price. I'm wondering, are grassfed meats and raw dairy antiinflammatory or inflammatory. Thanks for your thoughts
It IS anti-inflammatory
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

It IS an anti-inflammatory diet. If it weren't, it would not be healing at all, it would cause disease. Grass fed and pasture raised meat and raw dairy have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids which makes them anti-inflammatory.


Kerri Knox, RN
is stopping hydrocortisone for 2 - 4 days safe?
by: Sara

I saw your comment to someone else that before doing the test you should stop the hydrocortisone for 2 - 4 days. couldn't that send the person into an adrenal crisis? Especially if they have been on it a long time. I've been on it for 6 weeks now, and wish I had never started it. Ive had all kinds of issues and feel way worse now than I did before. I wonder if I really have adrenal insufficiency or addisons. Maybe I was just in the fatigue stage and could reverse this by taking better care of myself and certain supplements. I have found a Functional medicine Dr in my area and I hope she can help me. I just need to make the call and get an appt. It will cost me more because she doesn't take insurance and it will be out of network. But I'm desperate. i do not want to live the rest of my life feeling like crap. So once again I ask, to get back on track with my original question. Is it safe to just stop hydrocortisone like that?
Consequences
by: Kerri Knox, The Immune System Queen

There are always consequences to one's actions. I do not give medical advice, nor can I tell you what is 'safe' or not. Heck, I can't even tell you whether crossing the STREET is safe or not. Millions of people have been killed crossing the street.

However, stopping hydrocortisone would be one of the only ways to measure whether you truly have adrenal fatigue or not. You will have to talk to your doctor and weigh the pros and cons of stopping any medications.

Unfortunately, I cannot help you determine whether doing such a thing would be either safe or desirable for you since doing so would be giving medical advice and I cannot give medical advice nor help with medical conditions or help with medication dosages.


Kerri Knox, RN
adrenals
by: that guy

I have no adrenal cortex at all. If I forget my meds I know by the afternoon. My main issue now is the arthritis I am getting from the medications. I lift heavy 3-5 days a week to combat it. I notice when I cut back on sugar it helps joint pain.
Addison's Cure?
by: JoJo Bay

I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease 12 years ago and have been taking prednisone (and initially fludrocort) daily. I have also been treated by a naturopath. She believes that my addisons is a result of a major injury to my vegus nerve as a child. I recently took a bad fall and injured my head somewhat severely. The injury is just above my forehead on the right side of my head. My body immediately went into crisis which required extra meds. That was over 2 months ago and my head injury is healing slowly. The "mystery" is that I am feeling so much better, have reduced my medication by half with no ill affects, and am gaining weight. I almost feel as though I don't have Addison's disease anymore. Could that be possible?
Addison ??????
by: keith uk

Hello every one just found this site and found some interesting points . I have had addisons for over 20 years and everything has been OK til the last 4 years or so ??? With light headed ness being the big issue . I have tried altering my hydro and fludro and sometimes it might seem like its OK and other times its done nothing .with out rambling on I have come to the conclusion that it is when I am taking hydro it is sending me all wooooosey so don't no if I need it anymore ! So just reduced my dose and will keep you all updated thanks Keith uk
Saliva cortisol test
by: Anonymous

I saw you recommended the saliva test and said he had to stop the pred but I have one and there's a questionnaire in it where you tell the lab exactly how much you're taking and they factor that in to the results in order to get an accurate cortisol level.

I'm not a nurse but I'm coming back from the brink of an adrenal crisis myself because I reduced prednisone so the thought of him stopping scares me.

Also I have RA as well and am able to control my swelling and pain by staying away from gluten. It sucks but it works, it only took me 15 years of torture to figure that out, sheesh.

Hope that helps.
Primary Addisons
by: Kenzii

I have Primary Addisons for 8 years, however my blood pressure in the morning without medication is normal 121/73 and on standing I take it again and it goes up by 5..

I take my meds and re do my blood pressure a couple of hours later, my blood pressure goes up a bit to high I am also feeling woozy after taking my evening meds ??

Really confused as I feel the meds make me feel worse now in the last 6 months. I have never taken extra meds even when I broke my foot, Im sure my adrenals are making some cortisol.
13 yr old granddaughter addisons disease
by: Anonymous

my 13 yr old granddaughter was recently diagnosed with addisons, autoimmune type. She is very much underweight and extremely picky eater. Too many carbs. Her mom and I feel that diet could change this. The medicine makes her act impulsive which she never did before.

I think the big thing is getting a 13 yr old on board with very different eating habits. I notice that you talk about the Weston A. Price diet. That's a great idea to start.
Medicine
by: That Guy

I'm the guy the post is originally about. If a person has low functioning adrenal glands there may be thing they can do to boost adrenal health. Food, supplements etc.

However if you are like me and have had your immune system completely destroy the adrenals, medicine is what keeps you alive.

Be very careful my friends.
Primary Addisons
by: Anonymous

I reckon some can heal even with Primary Addisons, disease this is what I was diagnosed with 8 years ago. My doctors always checks my BP laying down and then standing and the last 2 years it has changed and now rises by 11 points upon standing and this is before my medication, meaning the adrenals are working.. I had changed my diet to a healthy one 5 days a weak and have a cheat on weekends.
A better option
by: Anonymous

I would certainly love to see one person cure something like this.

But yeah always eat to balance the immune system regardless. But if the gland itself is gone need adrenal hormone. The key in that situation is which is best with least side effects outside the steroids. I read a site awhile back that claimed to do what steroids did without the side effects. Unfortunately I can't find it.



Addison's Disease is a lifelong chronic illness
by: Anonymous

I have a terrible case of Addison's Disease and my doctors expected me to die. Today I am doing well. My Addison's Disease was caused by an autoimmune disease and greatly exacerbated by stress. I take hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. The key to recovering from Addison's Disease is lifestyle management. Become a peaceful person and stay away from negativity because negativity robs you of precious energy. Simplify your life!! Meditate and do yoga. Your diet should follow the rules for a Hypoglycemic diet combined with b vitamins, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, zinc,B-12, l-lysine to ward of viruses, fish oil and multivitamins. You will need to take additional electrolytes in order to balance glucose levels and stabilize your salt and potassium levels. Turn off the news and watch happy movies!! Try using sublingual hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, the fast acting tablets for emergencies. The key is to take as little steroids as possible so that you encourage your adrenals to work with out suppressing them but always take as many as your body needs. God luck and think happy thoughts!!

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Adrenal Gland Fatigue.
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

 

Search this Site
Custom Search

 


Vitamin D Fact Sheet
Free Vitamin D Fact Sheet by Getting
My Newsletter