Monday 1 February 2010

Ten months after surgery

It's been ten months since my adrenalectomy. As I mentioned in my last post, things have radically improved, although that arch-enemy of mine, "fatigue", still rears its ugly head from time to time. That said, there is an overall feeling of balance for the most part... even when faced with a stressful "fight or flight" situation, I feel far more prepared to deal with it then I have been in at least six years. There is much less reaction and far more action during times of stress.

Noticeable improvements in ten months post-surgery include:

- Continued low blood pressure each time I go to doctor
- Better sleep habits, no more cortisol rushes or heart palpitations to keep me up
- Ability to do complete work-outs (45 minutes - 1 hr) vs. the 20-25 minute ones I struggled through for the last two years
- More energy for the entire day
- Less memory issues, although I swear by Omega-3 for help with this
- Naps are no longer necessary to get me through the day
- Normal urine color and flow
- No more kidney pain or "flank" pain
- No more bloatedness, which is noticeable in a thinner face and body
- No more tingling or paresthesia in the hands and feet
- A general feeling of balance and calmness

One thing that remains a concern for me is the long-term outlook for those with one adrenal gland. I've had no, and I mean NO, doctors that have been able to tell me what to expect with my mono-gland as I age. I still can't believe there is so little information for us regarding surviving Conn's disease. My dream remains to have more education and exposure for both patients and doctors. Maybe I'll write to Dr. Oz someday. We are a small group, but after going on NORD and Yahoo groups-Hyperaldosteronism, I believe there are more of us out there than we realize, and we need to reach out to each other, even if we've recovered. It can be a brutal disease for so many.

As always, I hope this helps those considering the adrenalectomy or those who are in recovery from surgery. There really is life after Conn's, and from where I'm standing, it's looking really good for the first time in years.