Immunotherapy enduced Addisons disease

Hi everyone. My very brave husband is enduring extention to life immunotherapy just now and has been diagnosed with Addison disease now as adrenal glands no longer working. Have a call with oncologist tomorrow but has anyone who has dealt with this any advice? Breaks my heart how weak he is just now and fyi he has been dealing with many mets of renal cancer for over 10 years so he doesn't give up easy. TIA xx

  • Hi Butterfly.

    I was diagnosed with Addison's 2006 your husband most likely will go into hydrocortisone, some tests will probably be done to get dosage right (mines three times daily varying amounts) and fludrocortisone in morning, and calcium and vitamin D for bones, osteoporosis likely (brittle bone) hence that tablet,.

    Remember I'm only talking from experience.

    I'm also on palative care with cancer diagnosed Feb 2016. Prostate cancer gone to lymph nodes spine ribs pelvis and a lung.

    As long as tablets are taken around proper time,no side effects at all it's possible he will need a vial (not sure of spelling, little bottle of med)to keep in the fridge just incase, I've never used mine in over 14 years life span of vial is about six months so take to chemist to get rid of, probably need script for new one from Dr or endocrinologist, remember just incase case ,.one side effect of Addison's if things go wrong is going into a coma hence the vial.

    Good luck to your husband, and best wishes for the future.

    Billy

  • I thought I had responded to your post billy but not showing up my end so apologies if I am repeating myself here but just wanted to say thank you for your response it is very informative and very much appreciated  Hydrocortisone was mentioned at our last meeting so I hope our call tomorrow will allow us to understand the process more. I wish you all the very best. Anne xx

  • Glad I helped to give you some Idea of treatment, but not much different from other problems where meds are neaded, apart from its for life,.odd ones can be missed safely but not to often.

    I forgot that vial is hydrocortisone.

    Best wishes

    Billy 

    Ps please keep in touch so I know how things are going,

     

     

     

  • Addisons is an absolute nuisance, but can be managed, I've had it for 3yrs because of cancer treatment, make sure that if your husband has any procedures, including dental treatment that it is well know, as medication needs to be doubled or hydrocortisone injections before,