The event is open to anyone (patients, caregivers, family of patients, and others!). Registration closes on Wednesday, October 8th at 11:59 p.m. MST (for in-person attendance in Edmonton, with lunch included) or Friday, October 10th (online attendance).
Speakers include Dr. Andre Lacroix, a leading Canadian expert on Cushing’s syndrome, and the team of Dr. Michael Cusimano, who are working on a project for the early detection of acromegaly by collecting images of the faces of pituitary patients. We will also have experts from the University of Alberta discussing strategies to manage chronic illness and the role caregivers can play, as well as local initiatives for pituitary patients to mentor medical students on living with chronic disease. In addition, we will have patient presenters discussing their journeys with adrenal insufficiency and hypopituitarism.
Questions? info@albertapituitary.org
The video you are about to see is titled “ICE COLD MOM” and was originally a segment on the popular TV series UNTOLD STORIES OF THE ER. We are grateful to the Executive Producers, Bob Niemack and Allan Harmon, for use of this segment highlighting the life or death nature of an adrenal / Addisonian crisis. The video also outlines the challenges emergency doctors face in diagnosing Addison’s disease and/or Adrenal Insufficiency and treating an adrenal crisis.
The woman brought into the ER and played by an actress is depicting the experience of Shannon Meister, a longtime member of our South/Central Ontario Support Group.
The emergency events that unfold are not necessarily unique. Many ER Physicians may have never faced what is eventually diagnosed as Addison’s disease/Adrenal Insufficiency. All of the symptoms exhibited in this scenario are not necessarily typical of an Addisonian or adrenal crisis.
Enjoy the Video!
Spoiler Alert...
The following information will divulge the outcome but the video is certainly still worth watching to see the process that was followed and how diagnosis was eventually made.
In an ideal world, CBC (Blood tests) and Electrolytes would initially be tested. The testing of electrolytes is often overlooked and may dramatically reduce the time to diagnosis and prevent unnecessary tests not relevant to treatment.
Shannon’s treatment path included: IV fluids, raising her body temperature, giving antibiotics. Electrolyte tests revealed low sodium and high potassium results. It was at this point that Dr. Kapoor suspected Addison’s disease. Her sodium levels were raised slowly to avoid complications. His decision to give hydrocortisone before getting confirmatory lab results (hormone testing) may have saved Shannon’s life. Injectable hydrocortisone was immediately given with this suspected diagnosis.
Various shock states: hypoglycemic (glucose gel given), hypovolemic (fluids), hypothermic (“Ice cold mom”), septic/infectious (antibiotics given), drug overdose (confusion / "incoherent") were considered by Dr. Kapoor up to that point. This video depicts a chain of events whereby the suspicion and/or confirmation of an Addisonian or adrenal crisis resulted in immediate administration of hydrocortisone (glucocorticoid of choice) with saline support. Dr. Kapoor states it well: “As an emergency physician I wanted to ‘get it right’”! The THREE rights for an adrenal crisis: right medication (hydrocortisone) at the right time (immediately) at the right dose (adult dose – 100 mg). Hydrocortisone is the treatment that saved Shannon's life.
This video also aligns with our EMS initiative whereby any individual with Addison's Disease / adrenal insufficiency carrying injectable hydrocortisone will require a pre-hospital injection if an adrenal crisis is suspected (before transport to hospital).
This is the positive outcome in this video: "Thank you for saving my life". Unfortunately, many die because of delayed hydrocortisone treatment for confirmed or suspected conditions of adrenal insufficiency.
The Society also has a description of symptoms posted here.
Thank you for watching!
The Canadian Addison Society
August 2018
We are extremely pleased to share the latest EMS news from Newfoundland & Labrador as of Sept 25, 2018. Following are the intros and links to media reports both print and video, all of which announce and/or discuss the implementation of the new potentially lifesaving EMS protocol for suspected adrenal crisis. We are very grateful to all that helped to make this new protocol a reality.
LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION TO BE ADMINISTERED BY PARAMEDICS: Paramedics in the province that now able to administer a shot that could save lives.
["Dr. Brian Metcalfe"]
THE CARTER FILE: A milestone in our health care system today; paramedics will now be able to administer a life-saving drug.
["Dr. Brian Metcalfe"; "Dr. Carole Joyce"; "Paula Courage"]
We are pleased to participate in the global introduction of a short film “The Last Remaining Light”. A link to the film is located at the bottom of this article. The film was produced and directed by Martin Wallgren and co-produced by Addisonian and Team Addison bicyclist Martin Norrman (Martin Norrman also founded the non-profit Swedish Addison’s Association https://www.addisongruppen.se).
Following is a short intro to the film:
This is the most brilliant, touching and phenomenal movie for Addison's ever, letting the world know more about primary Addison's (it applies greatly to all forms of AI) along with breathtaking cinematography and narration. It is the story of the illness, fight and triumphs of co-producer and actor Martin Norrman, in coordination with producer and director Martin Wallgren. This movie was made with the goal of raising awareness of AI diseases, and we can't thank Martin and his team enough for their years of hard work and dedication to this important project, and for this awesome film.
While some people diagnosed with primary Addison's might not feel they can resume the level of activity Martin does in this amazing film, they will definitely see their own story in his.
PLEASE SHARE THIS MOVIE LINK WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW:
https://vimeo.com/martinwallgren/thelastremaininglight
The more we can raise awareness of Addison's and other forms of AI, the more we will increase our diseases' funding, research, treatment options and maybe one day find a cure. This will be the best 15 minutes you will ever have with Addison’s. You can view this film in many languages by clicking the “CC” button at the top.
