"Adrenal Crisis"

I want to share to help spread the word on the importance of all teams in hospital having an understanding of adrenal insufficiency.

Staff skills

Sadly, even when giving A&E the protocol of what to do with me presenting with adrenal crisis they did not follow that guidance. This resulted in further admissions and further adrenal crisis. Everyone was very friendly, but openly admitted to knowing very little about adrenal crisis. While on a ward, in the middle of the night, I went into adrenal crisis. The nurse took my BP and said it was very low. I had lots of other symptoms too and explained I was in adrenal crisis and needed hydrocortisone. 

Medication

The nurse checked my chart and said that I was not due to have hydrocortisone until 8am on my chart. I tried to explain that this was not routine and it was a medical emergency. I had my hydrocortisone tablets and injections locked away on admission. At around 6am, they finally let me have my hydrocortisone as I had deteriorated so much.

When the doctor came to see me later that morning they said that they thought my adrenal glands just had an off day and I'd be fine and to go home and do 15 minutes of vigorous exercise to get my system going. I had to explain to them that I was adrenal insufficient and steroid dependent. This took them by surprise and they said they didn't have much knowledge of it and just do what I normally do and speak to the endocrine team. 

Treatment

Doctor

The care staff and nurses were lovely and all wanted to know more about adrenal insufficiency and crisis after what happened. They felt it was something they should have had training on.

Nurses

Care staff

Food

Just an aside that hospitals seem to find it very difficult to cater for gluten free. I have had many meals consisting of stale cornflakes either as breakfast, lunch or dinner.