As many of you know, a few years ago i spent a lot of time feeling very unwell. I went from someone who spent most days either running, doing bootcamp, boxercise and playing football and hockey, to someone who at times struggled to do the most simplest of daily tasks.

Despite being diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism in May 2014, I still never regained the strength and energy for exercise. However after spending a year feeling how i did, it was an improvement and I just accepted that this was as good as it was going to get! 

Then one weekend in October 2015 i suddenly became very poorly and was hospitalised. It was then i was diagnosed with Addisons Disease, which I had probably had all along.

Addison’s disease  is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands.

The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They produce two essential hormones: cortisol and aldosterone.

In Addison's disease, the adrenal gland is damaged, and not enough cortisol and aldosterone are produced.

About 8,400 people in the UK have Addison's disease. It can affect people of any age, although it's most common between the ages of 30 and 50.

The treatment for Addisons is life long steroid medication. 

People with addisons must be constantly aware of the risk of a sudden worsening of symptoms, called an adrenal crisis. This can happen when the levels of cortisol in your body fall significantly.

Since taking the steroid medication I feel like i have got my life back. I have been very lucky as the last 2 years I have stayed well. 

It's taken a  while to gradually increase the exercise but I'm finally there and on 22nd October 2017, I am running the Great South Run.

This will be the first long distance race I have done since being diagnosed and I thought it would be a good opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and some money for a very worthy cause.

So, if you could donate a few pounds i would be really grateful.

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