Nichola Purvis - Addison's Disease
Nichola Purvis speaks out about Addison's Disease
"I have my MedicAlert Emblem to notify paramedics of the exact treatment needed to save my life"
Nichola had been ill for quite a while with severe head aches and sickness. After being admitted to hospital Nichola kept collapsing, her blood pressure was abnormally low and she lost two stone in two months. The tests showed that her adrenal gland was completely damaged and she was diagnosed with Addison's disease last September. If Nicola is sick or has even a small injury, her steroid levels can decrease rapidly, her blood pressure drops, her heart beats faster, she gets horrific headaches and in emergency situations can enter a "crisis" situation where, if she is not administered medical treatment, falls into a coma.
Nicola was advised by her consultant to join MedicAlert, "I was strongly advised to seek a MedicAlert Emblem so that in case I am unconscious or unable to communicate my condition, paramedics will know how to treat me. If I have a crisis, I need to be administered with steroids immediately because if I am left for a long period of time I can develop other serious problems such as kidney failure. Addison's disease is still relatively unknown within medical circles which is why it is of paramount importance that I have my MedicAlert Emblem to notify paramedics of the exact treatment needed to save my life"
