In addition to Addison’s disease, I have diabetes, Graves and Asthma. Even so, I can’t stop being grateful to be alive. I think it’s because of the four long days of coma I was in 2003. An undetected Addison’s that was about to cost me my life.

When I lecture, I tell you that I have chronic diagnoses and that you can live your whole life with them. I both get and can live! Everything is relative and I tell you that many others do not have that privilege. My cousin was told he had cancer one Christmas and passed away a year later. Think then children with this or other fatal diagnoses. Therefore, I myself am grateful because human life is relatively short anyway.

Despite the fact that we have to struggle daily with various symptoms, some feel so well in their Addison’s and are not so affected, while others cannot cope with anything.

Something that obviously affects the situation and well-being is how the knowledge is from the care and what help and support you get. It is fundamental to learning and feeling safe. The cost of cortisone also affects. Some cortisone is extremely expensive and others cheaper and usually the more expensive the better. If it is better, the patient gets a higher quality of life and visits care less often. I would argue that the most expensive cortisone will be cheaper in the long run because contact with care is reduced for many with Addison’s.

/Martin Norrman