Lynsey's Story: The Pickle Photoshoot Part 2 Following Lynsey’s diagnosis with Addison’s disease, she used her skills as an interiors and still life stylist on a personal project. To raise awareness of Addison’s and its symptoms, Lynsey turned her pickle and salt cravings into a photoshoot. The images were a great success and Lynsey kindly shared her story with us in 2021. Now Lynsey’s created part 2, inspired by 1970’s cook book photography. We catch up with Lynsey and share her beautiful colourful photos with our community! Thank you for speaking with us Lynsey! Tell us more about Pickle Addictions Part 2. This photo series shows how I view pickled food, based on typical sweet foods. I wanted to look at my relationship with salty foods and pickles and how these cravings can compare with people with a sweet tooth. With my love of vintage food photography, this inspired the lurid colours, sets and styling of the series. These images, along with my first Pickle Addictions series, are produced to help raise awareness for Addison’s disease. How were you diagnosed? At the end of July 2019, after a suspected near crisis on holiday in Corfu, the crazy heatwave in the UK sent me into near adrenal crisis number two. I tried in vain to keep hydrated through my three days of vomiting, but nothing worked. I almost had to cancel my GP appointment as I could barely get out of bed. The GP couldn’t do a blood pressure reading as it was so low so an ambulance was called to take me to hospital for IV fluids. However, it was only after follow-up blood tests that my clever GP spotted something was still wrong and tested me for Addison’s. I immediately went online and read as much as I could. Everything seemed to suddenly make so much sense - all these (so I thought) unconnected symptoms fitted into place! One of my light bulb moments was reading about, amongst other symptoms, the salt cravings. For the last two years it had been an ongoing joke amongst my family and friends how much I loved pickles (especially salty gherkins in brine and hot pickled peppers). As a busy interiors and still life stylist, how do you manage work and Addison’s? I am very lucky that my Addison’s is very manageable and I live a mostly ‘normal’ life with my replacement dose. I rarely have to updose, and I know my symptoms well in case I ever need to. At work, when on very busy photoshoots or long filming days, I sometimes will take a cheeky little extra 5mg of hydrocortisone as a preventative or if I start to feel like I’m flagging. Also, on hot days, I’ll updose my hydrocortisone and have a Dioralyte or add salt to a cold drink. I go to the gym regularly to do different classes and I take a 5mg updose and extra fludrocortisone before my classes if I ever feel a little tired beforehand and this works a treat. And I always add a teaspoon of salt to my water bottle which I drink during the classes. What would your advice be to the newly diagnosed Lynsey? To listen to her body and that the fatigue feeling she might get is usually a low cortisol symptom. Also to make sure she gets enough sleep and stay super hydrated on hot days. Nobody makes salted or pickled food look more appealing than you! But what is your favourite snack? Feta cheese, Polish pickles in brine, pickled turnips (the bright pink ones), olives (and the juice) and spicy pickled peppers! Why Salt? So why do people with Addison’s crave salty, acidic and sour foods? Prof Pearce explains the connection between aldosterone, fludrocortisone and salt cravings. . Medication Learn more about the life-essential steroid hormones people with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency take every day! Online Forum Struggling in the heat? Want to swap salty food tips with others who "get it"? Join the conversation on our online forum! What is your greatest wish for the Addison’s community? My greatest wish for the Addison's community is more awareness. This is for medical teams (it breaks my heart to read about sufferers who sometimes feel scarily ignored in hospitals) as well as for the general public. We ask Lynsey our most asked "Addison's Admin" questions here at ADSHG! How do you remember to take your tablets? I take my first dose when I wake up along with my vitamins and other meds. I have a reminder alarm on my phone for the rest of the day. How do you carry your injection kit? I ordered two bright red pouches with all my details on to store my injection kit in. One is always in my handbag, and the other is in my car. I keep spare hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone in them both, along with some Dioralyte and salt sachets. I also have a seatbelt alert in case I’m ever in a car accident. What type of medical alert identification do you have? I have a rubber alert bracelet which I never, ever take off. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LYNSEY FOX - S T Y L I S T (@_lynsey_fox_) Author, concept and styling: Lynsey Fox Instagram: @_lynsey_fox_ Website: www.lynseyfox.com Photographer: Sheradon Dublin Instagram: @sheradondublinphoto Whether you're newly diagnosed or have lived with the condition for years - please join our community and support our cause! You'll receive the latest expert advice, guidance and ADSHG news, whilst being part of our inspiring and supportive community. Become a member today! Join the ADSHG Connect on social media! Follow us on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and YouTube. Manage Cookie Preferences