Jack's update >>> Updated again from last night!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I think most of you have known Jack is back to having issues again. We went to the urologist and he was started on  the anti spasm medication for his bladder. It has been about a week and so far no change.. I think in a way, it is worse.

Last night I literally without exaggeration was up with him every hour to hour and half. He had a soaking wet diaper, I took it off and he would go potty outside. I ran out of diapers.. 

Last night I was so tired I knew his diaper was wet but I didn't want to wake up, at least I was half asleep and not thinking clearly because of course I would jump up in a second for him.. Because I didn't get right up he started crying and trying to get the wet diaper off of him... talk about breaking my heart...

He does not do this during the day.. he can go a few hours without having to potty.

Today we got the results of his ACTH baseline test. This is the fist time they did this, He has had the ACTH stim test twice now and each time his cortisol level is low but he does respond just enough with the ACTH injection to move his cortisol up enough.

Now you have to remember, I don't claim to know a lot of things but Addison's disease I know, and I know it well, Primary, secondary and  also ACTH deficiency ... I have Addison's and I went through holy heck to be diagnosed and I had many bad quality of life years (not including my other stuff) that I never should have had if I had been properly diagnosed.

Jack's cortisol is low.. the bottom line is when your cortisol is low you do not feel your optimum  period, We all know Cortisol has a big job in your body's well being. His is low which would explain his lack of desire to play with Molly, his lack of desire to go for a walk when I call him for a walk and his overall decline in ability to jump on things..and could possibly explain his low weight. which is low normal.

These are all subtle symptoms but I am with Jack all the time and I notice them.  In the early stages of Addison's disease your symptoms can wax and wane which is exactly what is happening with

Jack... I notice every detail about him... most dogs are not diagnosed until they go into full crisis because the symptoms are subtle...

So the bottom line is his internist, not his regular vet, who is very kind to me, very sweet and supportive of me, does not know enough about Addison's. Her overall feeling was if he has any ACTH he is good. WHich is totally incorrect. There is a reason there is limits and norms for a test and the normal level for ACTH should be over 20. My sweet son's is 4.2.. No wonder he barely makes cortisol

She did give us prednisolone because she was wondering if his overall non stop urination was due to inflammation.  

The thing that made me know that she was not accurate in her diagnoses is that in the early stages of Addison's, a dog or human can hold their electrolytes. Also, a low cortisol is a low cortisol and a low ACTH at base means at the very least ACTH deficiency. She back peddled a lot in speaking to me and was confused about which hormone did which thing which immediately made me disheartened. Not that she didn't know, but her unwillingness to admit she was over her head.

I hate when people can't admit they don't know something, Big deal, no one can know everything.. Geeze..

That being said.. I talked to my local vet who agreed that we should start Prednisolone and if he had good effects with it then we would go from there.. The dose they prescribed is way to high for a replacement dose and it is more for an anti inflammatory dose.. 

Anyway, me being me, I researched and thank the Lord I found the best endocrinologist in the world. He is out of NYC and his name is Dr Mark Peterson and he own the Animal Endocrine  Clinic. If you are bored you should google it, the things they do there for any type of endocrine disorder are outstanding.

I spoke with one of his nurses today and explained my situation and she can't give advice out over the phone but said if it was my dog I would do xyz including do the replacement dose like I thought he needed.

She gave me Dr Peterson's email and said he travels a great deal. I notice he has been all over the country and is considered not only a USA leader but a World leader in Endocrine disease, He can not do an over the phone consult without your vet being involved because it is illegal in the state of NY to give advice without assessing the patient, unless another vet is involved.

I emailed the doctor with all Jack's information, labs and vital results and I am praying to God he will email back. The nurse said he is a softie and usually does.   if not he will for sure respond to my vet.  

So if I don't hear from him soon, I will have my vet email him a PMH and go from there.  From all his journals and I have spent a lot of days reading his stuff, Jack's next test should be an MRI because he does have adrenal function and it appears his Pitatuary gland is not sending the signal, which is known as secondary Addison's or he could also be in the beginning stages of Primary or it could be a tumor in the brain... 

I will without a doubt bring him to NYC if I don't get enough answers here. after all, that is where I was diagnoses with Addison's myself.. I am so grateful I have Jack because I know enough about Addison's that I can and will fiercely advocate for him to have the best quality of life with optimal levels of hormones in his body. 

For now, we started the Prednisone and he is still on the bladder spasm medication and I am still getting up with him all night.... He is peeing non stop....I am going to need a new house when this is over.....but he is worth it and a million more.

I love my boy to the moon and back...I am so grateful there are doctors in this world that are so experienced in unusual cases and diseases. So grateful

MY GRACIOUS I WROTE A NOVEL LAST NIGHT... SORRY.. SO YESTERDAY JACK RECEIVED HIS FIRST DOSE OF REPLACEMENT STEROIDS......LAST NIGHT HE ONLY GOT UP TO POTTY ONE TIME AND THEN AGAIN EARLY MORNING.... SO HE MADE IT A FEW HOURS AND WHEN I GOT UP WITH HIM HIS DIAPER WAS DRY...... NO CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR OR ENERGY YET...WHICH I THOUGHT I WOULD SEE.. NOT SURE IF THE URINE THING WAS A FLUKE SINCE HE HAD GONE SO MUCH THE NIGHT BEFORE... BUT I AM CHOOSING TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION... .. HE ALREADY HAD TODAY'S DOSE OF STEROIDS.. KEEP YOUR PAWS CROSSED ... 

THANKS FOR THE LOVE AS ALWAYS

[Leslie and Halas]

Oh, poor Jack.  I hope you can get some answers soon so that you guys can start dealing with this.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear of Jack's problems. I hope all is solved soon.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Jennifer you made me cry. You have so much to handle, in God's infinite wisdom he chose the right "parent" for little Jack.

My prayers are always with you, I am praying more now than ever so Jack is a recipient of my new schedule.

Please pick that little boy up right now and kiss him right on the lips (or nose) from me in Ohio.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh Lisa don't worry.. We are okay.... Jack is my baby and it is my privilege to take care of him.... I love him.. even if he peed inappropriately for the rest of his life.. he will always be my baby, always sleep in my arms and always be loved..... 

Jack is doing okay.. I am feeling good.. We will get to the bottom of this......

Thanks for being so loving.... all of you

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Jennifer, I really hope that the things you wrote in the update are true. I know you both need the rest. I'm praying that things will start to get better quickly and keep getting better and better! Hugs to both of you :-)

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Jennifer, how lucky is Jack to have YOU as his doodle mom?  I'm right with you on the diagnosis front... and sending all good wishes that this works!

[Sharon & Monty]

I surely hope that Jack is on the mend!  Paws crossed for sure!  Take care.

[BG and Gavin]

Poor Jack.  I hope things get sorted out quickly for him.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

So glad things were better last night. keep us posted.

p.s. I think it is adorable that Jack wears diapers but I wish it weren't for such a troubling reason.

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD! Jennifer! This is the first I am reading about Jack's troubles. I knew he was borderline Addisons but didn't know that he wasn't being treated before. I am so sorry you and he are going through so much. You are the perfect owner for your sweet boy. Thank goodness he has you as his advocate. Hoping you get an email from the endocrinologist today. xoxo

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am so glad Jack had a better night and hope the cycle continues tonight. He is a very fortunate doodle to have you as an advocate. You have to get some rest so you will remain strong.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jennifer, I am so sorry Jack continues to have these health issues.  He is so lucky that you have enough knowledge to know that you must continue your quest for a proper diagnosis.  We will keep our paws crossed for a quick yet certain diagnosis.