Living with CDI in the Phillipines
by Nicholas Jose H. Lluch

I first noticed I had the symptoms of diabetes insipidus (DI) in December 1991. It was in the evening, after dinner. I was watching TV, when all of a sudden I noticed that I've been thirsty and nothing seems to quench my thirst; at the same time, I felt I had to constantly urinate. The next week I saw an endocrinologist, who then diagnosed DI. I had an MRI, which didn't show a result, so my DI is idiopathic, meaning that the origin of it is unknown. I have not met any person with the same condition, which makes it harder because I can't relate or share my experiences.

I had a hard time in school because nobody seems to really understand except my family and friends. I can't just travel anytime, especially when I don't have my meds with me. I get my medications from the United States because my medications aren't available here in the Philippines. That's why it's harder and more expensive for me than for most other people with DI. I'm luckier than most people in the Philippines with long-term medical needs because I have relatives in the United States who get my medications for me for $40 per vial of 5ml DDAVP. But it's hard because the mail sometimes gets delayed. I'm 26 years old now and I've been working since I was 22 (at that time I was still in college). I work so that I won't have to ask for money from my folks-they're helping me out with paying for my medications, but I know it's already a burden to them.

My worst experience happened in February 1993. I was hospitalized because I was having a hard time breathing one morning. They operated on me because my two lungs have collapsed. I was diagnosed with pneumothorax. I was airlifted to Manila, which is more than a thousand miles from our province. I was in the hospital for 10 months because they have to coat my lungs because they kept on bubbling which causes them to collapse from time to time. The doctors doesn't know if it's connected with my DI because the Philippines is not that hi-tech in medicine.

I don't have a maintenance meds for my lungs but I have an x-ray every year to check on my lung condition and thank God it has been alright. I take a spray of DDAVP in the morning and its effect is for 8 hours after that just sacrifice drinking and going back and forth to the bathroom but if I have class in the evening I spray once again. I save my sprays not only because it's hard to get it but also of its price-very expensive.

Nicholas Jose H. Lluch
Camague,Iligan city,Philippines
alglo@mozcom.com