ADSHG Social Meeting House Rules

Social meetings can provide a valuable source of comfort and guidance for people with Addison's Disease. However, to ensure that these meetings are safe and supportive spaces, it's important that all participants follow our house rules.

Confidentiality: Respect each other's privacy and confidentiality. Anything discussed in the group should remain within the group.

Listen actively: Listen to each other with an open mind and without judgment. Avoid interrupting or talking over each other.

One person speaks at a time: Allow each person to speak without interruption or interjection. Everyone should have an opportunity to express themselves.

Respect diversity: Everyone comes from a different background and has different experiences. Respect everyone's beliefs, values, and opinions.

Avoid giving advice: While sharing experiences and insights can be helpful, refrain from giving unsolicited advice. Every individual's situation is different. If someone asks for advice about Addison's do share ADSHG website resources that might help. Our website materials have been approved by our Clinical Panel and can be shared with confidence. Before taking any action as a result of an ADSHG social meeting, attendees must discuss the advice with a healthcare professional. Please don't discuss alternative / holistic therapies at our social meetings.

Be mindful of time: Allow each person an opportunity to share their experiences within a reasonable time frame. The facilitator can help ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.

Be supportive: Offer support and encouragement to each other. Show empathy and understanding for each other's struggles.

Stay focused: Keep the discussion focused on the topic of the group. Try to avoid getting sidetracked or discussing unrelated issues.

Maintain a safe space: Everyone should feel comfortable and safe to express themselves. Bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Respect boundaries: Respect each other's boundaries and avoid discussing personal topics outside the group, unless explicitly agreed upon.

Latest

40th Anniversary Addison's Roadshow

Please join our Addison's Roadshow to celebrate 40 years of the ADSHG! Anyone affected by Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency, and those that support them, can come along.
Ingrid's Story: Exercising with Addison's

Meet Ingrid who has recently taken up a new hobby, going to the gym. Here Ingrid hopes to inspire others to get exercising this New Year while also reminding us of the importance of managing your Addison’s too.
Shona’s Addison's Afternoon Tea Fundraiser

I'm raising money for the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group so that they can continue to support people with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency. Addison’s is a rare endocrine condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones and can be life threatening. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people, meaning an estimated 300 - 350 new cases are diagnosed each year across the UK, this makes it roughly 300 times rarer than diabetes.
Behind the Research: Implementation of perioperative guidelines & steroid emergency card

Congratulations Louise Breen on receiving the Annette Louise Seal Memorial Award! Louise shares more about her work as an Advanced Endocrine Nurse Practitioner & first Chair Elect of the Society for Endocrinology Nurse Committee

Sick Day Rules

Minor ailments can affect anyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition very differently. Things like vomiting, diarrhoea, colds and flu could cause an adrenal crisis. It’s important that you spot the early symptoms of a bug or cold and adjust your steroid replacement medication.
Adrenal Crisis - Emergency Help

Adrenal crisis is a time-critical, life-threatening emergency and must be treated immediately. Read the guidance on treating a steroid-dependent patient in adrenal crisis.
What is Addison's Disease?

Find out more about Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency and and how they are treated.
The Emergency Injection for the treatment of Adrenal Crisis

Understanding what an Emergency Injection kit is, how to inject and how important it is to use the injection during an Adrenal Crisis.
Why Salt?

Why do people with Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency crave salty, acidic and sour foods at diagnosis, and then salt remains our “pick me up” when diagnosed? Professor Simon Pearce explains the connection between aldosterone, fludrocortisone and why you should always listen to your salt cravings.
Coronavirus Vaccines and Adrenal Insufficiency

Everyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition should get the coronavirus vaccine and boosters to reduce their risk of getting coronavirus. This is because people who are steroid-dependent are at increased risk of needing hospital care if they get coronavirus, due to the risk of adrenal crisis.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 02/10/2023

Our medics have been keeping an eye on pandemic developments. This page is up to date but we will continue updating it regularly as we find out more information from the government.
Updated NHS Steroid Card Released

Following the early release of the new NHS Steroid Emergency Card back in March to keep patients with Addison's or adrenal insufficiency safe during the COVID-19 crisis, the NHS steroid card has been updated and physical copies will be available to order from Tuesday 18th August 2020 for hospital teams!
Addison's & Adrenal Insufficiency: Advice for Dentists

The ADSHG guidelines offer illustrative guidance for major and minor dental procedures. It is important to recognise the physical stress of any invasive dental procedure and to ensure that adequate glucocorticoid cover is provided for steroid-dependent patients.
Surgical Guidelines

The ADSHG surgical guidelines are intended for the information of your medical team or your dentist and have been developed by our Clinical Advisory Panel.

Research Grants

Our charity is at the forefront of medical research into Addison's Disease. Help us fund medical researchers working in this important field of endocrine research. Read more