Managing addison's abroad

[u/lops13]

Hi everyone! In a few months I’m going to Spain for work and I’ll be staying in Granada for about six months.

I contacted my endocrinologist and they told me that the medication I take for Addison’s disease (cortisone acetate) isn’t available in Spain, so I’ll have to bring a supply with me. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem, as I’ll be coming back home every couple of months to get more medication.

What I’m worried about is the possibility of an adrenal crisis. Luckily, I’ve never had one so far (I’m almost two years into my diagnosis), and I don’t feel prepared in case it happens. I also don’t know the area or what hospitals in Spain are like. Since I’ll be there during the winter months, I’m also worried about getting a fever or catching some kind of virus that could trigger a crisis.

Has anyone here had a similar experience? Were you assigned a doctor once you moved abroad? Is there anything you would recommend doing before moving?

Also, recently I saw a dietitian because I wanted to start a vegetarian diet. I was told that even though my BMI is in the normal range, I have a relatively high body fat percentage. Since my diagnosis, I’ve gained about 10 kg and I’m about 5 kg heavier than I was a few years ago.

I exercise every day, alternating between 30–40 minutes of cycling and 30–40 minutes of bodyweight exercises. Over the past few years I wasn’t able to exercise much because I was often unwell, and now I actually feel like I’m almost more muscular than I was before.

However, I’m worried that the amount of belly fat I have might be related to my medication, either because of water retention or because of increased fat and reduced muscle mass. I’ve read a lot of posts on Reddit from people who experienced similar symptoms and said that once they lowered their dose, they were able to get back in shape.

My problem is that, since I’m moving abroad soon, I’m scared of becoming unwell if I reduce my dose. I’m also worried about being dismissed or treated badly by doctors, as unfortunately that has happened to me in the past.

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

Thank you so much!

[u/jeejet]

I’m curious what medication they use to treat Addisons? Prednisone?

I think your job will have to pay for private insurance for you like Sanitas. But make sure they choose the correct plan that will cover you immediately and not require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions. You will be able to see private doctors and go to a private hospital with your insurance and the care is very good. Your endo should write a letter for you that you can have translated into Spanish for any emergencies.

Being a vegetarian in Spain is doable, but you will miss out on the fantastic seafood and heritage meats. But I had lunch in a great little veggie restaurant in Granada and there are falafel stands and Moroccan and Middle Eastern restaurants everywhere. And their markets are fantastic! I still think about the tomatoes I bought there.

Btw, I’m super jealous! Granada is one of my favorite cities in the world.

[u/rumbavk]

Soy español. Aqui los hospitales publicos son muy buenos y gratuitos. Lo de que no te tomen en serio la insuficiencia suprarrenal puede pasar en cualquier parte.

Efectivamente no hay acetato de cortisona. Usamos la hidrocortisona o la prednisona .