Adrenal activation test

[Priestess]

I was supposed to have an activation test this last wednesday, but then my doctor said she can no longer obtain the required injection. So I'm supposed to go to an endo at a special clinic, the consult is in 10 days. What are the chances they should be able to do this test during the visit? The results are needed sooner rather than later.

I've had symptoms distubingly like sv cah since childhood, though in recent years the adrenal insufficiency aspect has become more pronounced, which has started slipping into dehydration in the last few months.

The last endo who ever mentioned adrenals just pushed a prescription at me, and if they did such a test, there was without the injection. Though I know from other testing that I'm much more of an oddity than can be explained entirely by CAH.

[zenditz]

I've had quite a few adrenal crisis' in my life,

One only a few months ago which, luckily after the vomiting calmed down, I was able to keep my super dose of Hydrocortisone (Coref) down, so I didn't have to go to the ER and get a wonderful injection, but I did end up passing out for 36+ hours, though my, kinda, roommates and my girlfriend were watching out for me, just in case. Luckily though I haven't had one in a long while, and hopefully won't have another.

As for more being wrong than just C.A.H., ditto here... I have Generalized Dystonia (http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/defined/early.asp), a nasty disease that now has me in a wheel chair, so I hope you get things figured out sooner rather than later... there is nothing worse than the wait, especially when it come to blood work... I know that feeling all to well.

Take care,
Katie

[Priestess]

Nothing new for all the longtime CAH diagnosees here, just new things for me.

I had my consult for the adrenal test this morning, and then the test itself soon after that. Originally, my GP only specified enough testing to cover adrenal insufficiency or Addison's, but after the endocrinologist examined me and took my family history, he upgraded it to a (full?) screening for CAH.

I wasn't doing too badly for the first 5 vials of blood they took before the injection, but the injection itself was a pretty bad for me. About 5-6 minutes after they gave it to me, I fell over in the elevator. Fortunately for me, no one else was there and I was able to get back up again without being totally embarassed.

Since then, I've felt worse than my recent usual. I'd have thought the injection should have raised my adrenal levels and made me feel less nausea and dehydration, but it seems just the opposite. It should have at least made me nervous and excitable, shouldn't it?

Anyways, they said the results would come back in a week, so by late next week maybe I'll know something. For now, I feel like collapsing. Till next time -- Melissa :sick:

[Betsy]

Never had one so I have no clue what it entails. I know they give it to people suspected of having LOCAH but I guess it is done for possible SV CAH?

I always thought they could get the diagnosis from a blood test and that the ACTH thing was for measuring severity.

[Betsy]

Don't you keep an injectable hydrocortisone at home? You should be able to get one and it's super easy to give to yourself or have a friend do it.

[Dana Gold]

Well, first of all, I don't have CAH, so I apologize if I am entering "restricted territory"...however, since the medical people sometimes are so wrapped up in "doing", I've found they sometimes neglect to fuly inform patients about that "doing" and after.
Anyway,
About 5-6 minutes after they gave it to me, I fell over in the elevator.
Melissa, I'm surprised that you weren't kept under observation in the clinic/office for a longer time after injection. You apparently had the rapid high dose ACTH test (what analog corticotropin you would know: cosyntropin or corticorelin);
I don't know how little or much they told and/or informed you about this test etc.....so FYI here's some links (for Katie, too....:wave1: )

http://www.labcorp.com/datasets/labcorp/html/appendix_group/appendix/section/ri600400.htm
(Ist paragraph)
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/cortrosyn_ids.htm
(pharmacology)
http://www.ferringusa.com/other_products/acthrel.htm
(adverse reactions, precautions)

Dana

[zenditz]

Nothing new for all the longtime CAH diagnosis here, just new things for me.

I'm not sure what you meant by that, I'm sure nothing like hurtful... but I'm not new to my diagnosis at all... I'm just now on Hydrocortisone, instead of Prednisone which I was on for like all the first part of my life. I just felt a need to say that, since your response was more than like a lil confusing.

Take care & Good luck,
Katie

[Peter]

I don't think that Priestess was trying to be hurtful. If I was to paraphase what she said, as I read it, it might run something like: "I know that this is old hat to many people with CAH, but it is new to me." It seems slightly shy in tone, but not really hurtful.

Peter

[zenditz]

Like no duh,

Thanks Peter. Some of the time like the smallest lil thing triggers something and then later, I'm like so totally like, duh huh, why did that trigger me... even more confusing is like what did it trigger. But that's what growth is like all about. I read her subject like to be directed at me, instead of herself... now things make more sense... I'm just more than like a lil ditzy. Yes I'm a natural blond, ditzy, that like why I have my user name like it is. So yeah what you've heard about blond is prolly mostly true when it comes to me... at least that we have more fun... oh yeah and I like totally forgot, I'm ditzy :)

LOL,
Katie

[Dana Gold]

Some of the time like the smallest lil thing triggers something and then later, I'm like so totally like, duh huh, why did that trigger me...

Oh, gee, I know what you mean...I get like that a lot and sometimes shortly after my ranting/reactions or even later (like hours later or next day) I will feel bad or embarassed about the emotions I "avalanched" and worry about ending up looking stupid or "out of control".:pat: ..it's a wretched thing; I've done it at work and in public....but I am getting better..some.:rolleyes2....I used to be almost hysterical.:cry_smile ....some of my past posts:oops: ...it's a process; ...and the triggers:osigh:

[Priestess]

Hi Katie :wavey:
I'm just kind of getting back out of bed again, hopefully I'll feel better tommorow. Yeah, Peter was right about what I'd intended to say. I wouldn't be hurtful to anyone here, you're too much fun. :thumbs_up I was feeling kind of dopey when wrote that, I'm sorry that it came out sounding wrong.

Thank you for the links Dana, they probably should have watched over me, at least for a few minutes. They didn't even tell me which of the two injectables they gave me, that might be my fault for not asking. I quess the answer to that should be in the report when the results come back.

At times like these, friendly notes are a treasure :heart:

[prince....ss?]

Like no duh,

Thanks Peter. Some of the time like the smallest lil thing triggers something and then later, I'm like so totally like, duh huh, why did that trigger me... even more confusing is like what did it trigger. But that's what growth is like all about. I read her subject like to be directed at me, instead of herself... now things make more sense... I'm just more than like a lil ditzy. Yes I'm a natural blond, ditzy, that like why I have my user name like it is. So yeah what you've heard about blond is prolly mostly true when it comes to me... at least that we have more fun... oh yeah and I like totally forgot, I'm ditzy :)

LOL,
Katie

I would never guess like ditzy. But I guess your like OK.:drool02:

[Priestess]

I would never guess like ditzy. But I guess your like OK.:drool02:

But Vals are like totally kewl ... If I could have my life over again, I'd stay in that time and place fer shure, at least for a while. :2in1:

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/snd/valleygirl.html