My Addison's Disease Story

Hey guys! This is a video about my journey with an autoimmune disease called Addison's (Adrenal Insufficiency). I was diagnosed on February 28th of 2019. It was a day that changed my life forever. I haven't been very vocal about my disease thus far because I didn't want people to pity me and I didn't think anyone would care what I have to say. However, I've finally come to a place where I’ve fully accepted this as a part of my story and I feel like a lot of people would benefit from hearing my story.

Addison's is a very deadly disease that if not caught early, can very easily end up taking your life. My goal in making this video is first and foremost to raise awareness for the disease and secondly to give hope to others who I share this illness with. Statistically, only 1 in 100,000 people have Addison's. I hope that this video finds the people who need to see it and that it helps others recognize the signs and symptoms early on so they don't have to get to the point that I did. Even if this video helps just one person, it will have been worth it.

Thank you all so much for watching, it really means a lot to me. Please share this video with family and friends so that together we can raise awareness for Addison's Disease!

Please don't forget to share, like and subscribe!

Follow me on Instagram: @lvaagie

My Gear

[levifilmmkr]

I have an Instagram page called @addisonsadvocate, be sure to head over there and check it out! Going to start hosting Instagram Lives in the coming weeks with many of you to create a place for us to share our stories with each other in hopes of providing hope and encouraging the community. See you over there!

[tammydenmark]

As a current nursing student I wanted to share that this disease is covered over and over again, its on so many exams and boards. I'm just so shocked that such a heavily taught/studied disease was missed by so many medical professionals around you.

[rickybrazzell]

I have had it since I was 13 years old. Did not find out until I was 38 and the level of cortisol was 1. The Lord Jesus kept me from dying young and now I have a great family.

[hafsabouchekouk]

The worst part of this disease is that the others see you walking and doing you daily stuff think that you are okay and if you got tired or sleep all day think that you are just lazy, they don't know that we are fighting to do the most simple things 😢

[ryaneb]

This is a great story. I was in the Marines at the time of my diagnosis. I spent 6 months in other dealing with addisonian crisis and they just kept telling me I was dehydrated. It wasn’t until I almost died while on predeployment leave that a civilian doctor was able to find out I actually had addisons disease.

[hilaryrichardson]

Loved seeing your video; I was diagnosed almost 66 years ago at the age of 10; I've had a wonderful life and done everything I wanted to do; wishing you a long and happy life also.

[levifilmmkr]

I'm overwhelmed by the support of all of you! Addison's Disease is a super rare disease and not a lot of people know about it but together we can change that. Please share this video with friends and family so that we can raise awareness and ultimately save lives!

[nikkibunnyluv]

I'm a med student and I can't believe that's how they approached u on your first consult.. thank u for sharing your story. I'll make sure to raise awareness about this and be aware myself.
You are a miracle. thank God

[KellyParker-ddgh]

I have secondary adrenal insufficiency I basically had radiotherapy around 2 years ago to treat a brain tumour and was prescribed a very strong steroid called Dexamethazone and once I’d weaned off this my adrenal glands totally shut down with a cortisol level of just 22! I was actually in hospital last night for the emergency hydrocortisone injection and placed on a drip due to having adrenal crisis symptoms the salt cravings and constant dry mouth are a pain and the fatigue I feel is on another level I’m 36 but feel 90! Amazing you’ve done this video as it is so rare and an illness you never heard spoken about sending well wishes!

[carinakaron]

Reading through these comments, I wonder how many people die undiagnosed ? Perhaps it is not as rare as people think. What a wonderful video, thankyou.💖✨️

[MARZ-FM]

I have all of this stuff happening right now. I’ve been sick for 4 years. Last trip to dr they gave me antidepressants. I can’t eat any food. I can’t sleep. I can’t work. I’m not allowed to drive. I can’t think. Diagnosed with “gut” issues. Sibo. Diverticulosis (diagnosed with colonoscopy). Pots. Low bp. Vasovagal syncope. Underweight. Ibd. Leaky blood brain barrier. Currently going to die while waiting for an mri. If I get the energy to roll out of bed I’ll go to the er. I have a deep disrespect for medical “professionals”. Just giving me fluids and telling me to wait 6 months for an mri.

I’ve never been tested for addisions. I’ve been in the ambulance from blacking out in public 3 times in the last year.

Ontarios medical system is a joke. It’s 700 bucks for an mri just across the border. So I asked to pay to have it done here…. No no no. You can’t pay. Wait to die. Thanks “pensioner”. (That’s a drone who only has a job for a pension). I see fat ppl eating 700 dollars worth of Uber eats a month…. But I “can’t” spend 700 bucks to get an mri. Shit I’d spend whatever I could get.

Or at least do more then just basic tests.

[erikkpritchard]

General doctors have fallen for the lie that "happy pills" are a good substitute for real medicine. Not only is it sloppy diagnosing, but those psychiatric drugs are also more dangerous than most people realize. I'm so glad you made it to a real diagnosis and that you're still here! It's so true what you said about advocating for yourself. Thank you for making this video.

[joevharless]

I have secondary Addison’s and was on deaths door too. There definitely needs to be more awareness about this life threatening disease!

[Forevermonet]

I have type 1, hypothyroidism and Addisons. Diagnosed 1 year after the other.
I had a doctor blow me off as well and he luckily recognized he could have killed me, then went back for further education.

Your story is inspiring. I hope the best for you and that God blesses you abundantly in this new year.

[lisamoran]

Jesus isn't done with you yet--he's got big plans for you! Thank you for giving God the glory. I am crying through your video. Thank you so much for sharing your story. My son's best friend (who is like a second son to me) had every single symptom you described and today he was finally diagnosed with Addisons disease. He sent this video out today to the people close to him to spread the word. He is 32 and almost died a few months ago because the doctors couldn't figure out what was going on. God bless you. Stay strong! See, even 2 years later your message is reaching the people who need to hear it.

[kevinmckay]

Thanks for the video. My experience was much more gradual. For 10 years I struggled with recovering from exercise - having to go to bed like I had a cold. It gradually got worse until I stopped exercising all together. Luckily my bloods showed i had hypothyroidism. When that medication didn’t work my wife pushed me to see an endocrinologist who diagnosed me. I have never had a crisis but now have a 3rd autoimmune condition. Grateful that it all worked out but have had doctors tell me that I couldn’t have had the condition for 10 years. There is so much they don’t know. Your comment about looking after yourself is so true.

[sarahaswoods]

I just got diagnosed with Addison's Disease a month ago after being in and out of the hospital for the past 4 years. I have had 3 near death experiences in the last 6 months and have lost an extreme amount of weight (causing me to be diagnosed with unintentional anorexia.) It is so relieving to finally have an answer and I am grateful to be alive. Listening to your story made me feel less alone and showed me that I have so much more time to my life than I thought I did! thank you (:

[mariahmcbride]

I could cry listening to this. This was my life before my addisons diagnosis. I was told for 3 years after symptoms started that I was just anxious. The story about the shower hit home for me. I would just lay in the shower floor because I couldn’t get my heart to slow down enough to stand

[kidzhub]

I am from Bangladesh, and I have Addison's disease and diabetes also, i am 40 years old, now I am taking cotson 10.
Thank you very much for sharing your story

[madelinemachado]

I also have Addison’s disease and I think it’s really amazing how you’re sharing your story and inspiring others!