How Addison’s Disease Changed JFK’s Appearance
A telltale sign of Addison’s disease is the distinctive alteration in physical appearance prior to treatment, marked by an orange tan, hyperpigmentation, and weight loss. There is also for many patients an alteration in physical appearance following treatment (ex. weight gain).
My own journey with Addison’s disease began with the gradual onset of hyperpigmentation across my face and gums. Soon, my skin took on a distinctly orange hue, with patches of hyperpigmentation remaining on my knuckles and joints. Within a span of two months, I had lost 20 pounds, reaching a level of thinness I had never experienced in my adult life.
Before his diagnosis, JFK was noted for his yellowish complexion and extremely slender frame. After his diagnosis, in an effort to mask his health struggles, he would spend time sunbathing, aiming to project an image of vitality to the world.
In my case, a suntan now elicits a different response post-diagnosis. While my tan has deepened, accompanied by the emergence of dark spots in new areas, I wonder whether this may simply be a natural part of aging or related to my adrenal disease.
Yet, when examining photos of JFK, the unmistakable "Addison glow" can be evident.
Delving into his biography, I was struck by JFK’s aversion to the medication’s impact on his appearance. He lamented how the extra hydrocortisone would cause his eyes to swell, expressing disdain for the resulting roundness of his face. His candidness about these struggles resonated deeply with me, as I too grapple with similar side effects.
“Nothing worried Kennedy more about his appearance than the effects of the cortisone he took to control his Addison’s disease. He was reluctant to take his pills, which made him look puffy faced and overweight. Evelyn Lincoln took responsibility for making sure that he adhered to the regime prescribed by his doctors, keeping daily account of whether he had taken his medicine” (Dallek, p.322).
The prospect of needing more medication which can lead to swelling and blood sugar spikes in my body is not pleasant. Him being reticent in taking additional medication echoes my own concerns.
Yet, faced with the necessity of extra medication to sustain life, I have come to reluctantly accept these side effects as inherent to my treatment regimen. It is best to over replace with corticosteroids than to under replace and risk an adrenal crisis.
Looking ahead, I hope for advancements in medication management that offer a more precise approach, minimizing adverse effects while ensuring optimal health outcomes. Perhaps in the future, technology will provide a means to accurately gauge medication needs, mitigating the impact on appearance and overall well-being.