Annalie comes to terms with Addison's disease diagnosis

Stellenbosch resident, Annalie Scheltema is a landscape architect and mother to three daughters (aged 27, 23 and 16). In 2022 she was diagnosed with Addison's disease - a rare, and potentially life-threatening, illness in which the adrenal glands don't produce enough of a hormone called cortisol. She explains how her diagnosis came about.

COVID-19 and a neck operation

"In July 2021 I had COVID-19 and was ill for three months," says Annalie. "I was taken to the hospital twice with lung infections and dangerously low oxygen levels. By October I was starting to recover but was constantly tired. Blood tests showed that my blood was as thick as honey and I was put on blood thinners."

"In November 2021 I'd lost feeling in my left arm and was in severe pain. X-rays and an MRI scan showed that I'd burst a cushion (one of the discs between the vertebra) in my neck from coughing so much while I'd had COVID-19. I had to have a big neck operation. The wound became infected after the operation, and I had to stay in hospital for a long time, also needing to be on antibiotics."

Annalie's health woes continue

Then, in January 2022, Annalie started experiencing fainting spells. "I would be fine and the next moment I'd feel extremely bad and pass out. The first time I fainted I was rushed to hospital where they found that I had arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) and I had a procedure to put in a pacemaker. Six weeks later, I had to go in for another operation to replace the wires on the pacemaker, because they had come loose."

But Annalie's fainting spells continued. "I fainted 10 times in just over a year and each time I was hospitalised. When I regain consciousness after fainting, I normally have such a severe headache that I lie down and cry."

"My blood pressure also drops each time I faint. My brain scans were fine but blood tests showed that my adrenal glands don't produce cortisol, so I was diagnosed with Addison's disease."
"I've been put on cortisol treatment, steroids, and hormone replacement treatment for a lack of oestrogen. I'm also taking an anti-anxiety medicine, because as soon as my body is under even a bit of stress it just wants to shut down. It can't cope."

"It's not clear what may have triggered my Addison's. It could be from being under anaesthesia during my neck operation, as that can have an effect on the adrenal glands. It could also be caused by the stress of going through quite a serious stage of illness," explains Annalie.

Addison's disease has affected every area of Annalie's life

"I am still struggling to come to terms with the condition. Before I got sick, I worked all the time. I have my own landscaping business and often had teams working on five different sites. I could just hop into the car and drive to wherever I needed to be. I've gone from working my whole life to not being able to work. So I've lost all that income, which changes everything."

Annalie's husband and father have been supporting her through her illness. "I can't drive anywhere without someone driving with me or for me, and I'm constantly asking for help with little, basic things. It's taken a lot of my independence away and I'm not used to that."

"I also used to fetch my children from school, the tennis courts, and the golf course. If my youngest daughter plays golf and I drive along on the golf cart for nine holes, I'm so dead tired afterwards. And I have a one-year-old grandchild and not being able to do things with her is one of my biggest frustrations."

"The weather also has an impact on me. If I spend 10 minutes in the sun, I feel faint. Extreme cold also affects me. I used to easily cope with different temperatures, especially because I've worked outdoors for my entire life."

Preserve your health and protect your future, Annalie advises

Annalie sings the praises of her medical team and encourages others facing health issues to find the right doctors to treat them. "The staff that have been treating me are unbelievable," she says.
"My biggest piece of advice to everyone is to preserve your health. Nothing else, not even money, can compare to your health."

Annalie also has various policies through Discovery, which have been invaluable during her illness. "I recommend that people get a life insurance policy which covers them for death, disability and dread diseases. Everyone always thinks they'll only become ill when they're 70 or 80. But you never know when something like this will hit you. These policies help when you are no longer able to work."

"Make sure you've got a good medical aid and gap cover. I know that my medical expenses have been extremely high. The peace of mind that comes with knowing that I'm a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member and can go to the hospital when I'm not well, is priceless. You go there knowing you can afford it and that you will be well looked after."

Annalie bravely concludes: "Throughout this journey, I have believed that God is in control. There's a reason for everything and I trust that God will get me through whatever comes my way."

Disclaimer: Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.

Disclaimer: Discovery Gap Cover is a non-life insurance policy, underwritten by Discovery Insure Ltd, registration number 2009/011882/06, a licensed non-life insurer and an authorised financial services provider. This is not a medical scheme and the cover is not the same as that of a medical scheme. This policy is not a substitute for medical scheme membership. Discovery Gap Cover product terms and conditions apply.

Disclaimer: Discovery Life Limited, registration number 1966/003901/06, is a licensed life insurer, and an authorised financial services and registered credit provider, NCR Reg No. NCRCP3555. Product rules, terms and conditions apply.