Update (Patreon)

I hate making these posts because I feel like people think I'm saying that I won't be doing anything on here worth sticking around for and that always causes a small exodus of about 30 people. LOL. But that's not the case. I plan to put out some more chapters in the next couple of days. I know I've been slow, but I've had numerous doctors appointments this week. Four to be exact. And I have 4 more next week. Its crazy how many different people are now managing my care. I have five doctors (All women, which is pretty cool)As someone who spent 17 years in the medical profession, I never thought I would spend so much time in the hospital NOT getting paid. Anyway, this post does not contain any relevant information if you are only here for the books and don't want to hear all my personal BS. Feel free to ignore it entirely. I will NOT be offeneded. I'm honestly tired of hearing it myself. I'm using you guys as a diary today more than anyhting. As most of you know, last week (was it last week) in the last ten days or so my blood pressure crashed to 66/55 and I ended up in the hospital. For the last several months my blood pressure has been either super high or super low with no rhyme or reason making it very difficult to treat. At first they thought it was severe dehydration, then they thought I was on too much blood pressure medication, then they thought it was my Vyvanse but recent labs have shown that my cortisol and aldosterone levels are tanking. What does that mean? I have something known as adrenal insufficiency. In my case they suspect it is a fairly uncommon condition known as autoimmune Addison's Disease. I haven't confirmed this diagnosis. I see the Endocrinologist on Monday, but given my labs, this is what they suspect has been my problem for almost 10 years now. I know people probably hear alot about people's burned out adrenal glands and people like to push all these health 'cures' for people who are overproducing cortisol due to stress. Well, I have the opposite problem. My body is no longer producing enough cortisol. Cortisol maintains your blood pressure, heart function, immune system and blood glucose (sugar) levels. Without them it can cause an adrenal crisis like what happened the other day. Luckily, since my cortisol levels are low but not completely gone, I didn't need emergency medications. Which is good because none were offered as nobody thought to look for this. On the one hand, it would be nice to have a diagnosis once and for all, on the other, the treatment for Addison's is a lifetime of steroids which is shitty on a whole different level. Anyone who's had to take steroids long term knows the three page lists of side-effects that can come of it. This is mostly my mindless rambling and processing. If I have this disease, stress could literally kill me. Which feels ironic when I think of what an insane workaholic I am. However, I'm taking things one step at a time. If anyone has Addison's or knows anything about it, I'm all ears. I was an endocrine nurse for 3 years but my patients were predominantly diabetics and people with thyroid issues. Adrenal problems are surprisingly rare given how often people are trying to sell me cures on tiktok and Instagram. TL;DR: I am still sick, attempting to rest, but will be catching up on chapters over the weekend.