My poor adrenal glands! Since September of last year, I have been taking varying dosages of prednisolone, a form of steroid – one of the joyous outcomes of the immunotherapy I’ve been receiving. My immune system has been going completely nuts (thank you immune system, no seriously thank you!), which is why I’ve been experiencing such an incredible array of side effects. However, it also needs to be kept a lid on to some extent and steroids are the way to do that.

Many people take steroids for a whole host of reasons, some stay on them their entire lives. Yesterday, I had an appointment with an Endocrinology consultant. I’ve got to say, I’m really enjoying learning more and more about different medical specialties. Watching highly skilled people, who have studied and trained so hard to become experts in their fields, is humbling and inspiring. Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system, primarily the system of hormone secreting glands (adrenal, thyroid, pituitary). Naturally occurring steroid is produced in the adrenal glands, and because I have been taking this hormone ‘artificially’ over the past however many months, my adrenal glands have decided they don’t need to make any of their own. Therefore I’m stuck on a low dose steroid for the foreseeable future. Probably until I finish immunotherapy, potentially longer if the adrenal glands decide not to kick back in.

Something I hadn’t realised is how important naturally occurring cortisol (steroid hormone) is to the functioning body. Almost every cell contains receptors for receiving and processing cortisol, and in return effects include controlling the body’s blood sugar levels and regulating metabolism, acting as an anti-inflammatory, influencing memory formation, controlling salt and water balance, influencing blood pressure and even helping the development of a foetus.

When levels of cortisol are ‘off’ you can become seriously ill, and quite quickly. This became all the more obvious to me yesterday when I was told I would need to carry an emergency injection around with me at all times, in case I couldn’t keep the pills down. In that instance I would experience a huge cortisol crash and could become unconscious. It’s all a bit overwhelming, and another new normal to come to terms with. Of course I ultimately don’t mind, if it keeps me well and functioning! Back to hospital next week for a one on one lesson with a nurse showing me how to self inject in an emeregency…