LIFE for little Megan Phelps is a constant struggle with the everyday fear that she could die at any minute weighing heavy on her 11-year-old shoulders.

The Cirencester schoolgirl suffers from a rare condition called cortisol deficiency which can be fatal if her levels of the hormone cortisol drop too low and she does not receive a hydrocortisone injection in time.

Cortisol is a chemical hormone produced by the body to manage stress by providing a boost of blood sugar.

But when Megan becomes stressed or unwell she is unable to produce enough cortisol and has to rely on an injection.

She was diagnosed with the condition four years ago and since then has had to rely on regular injections. Simple activities such as going to the shop or to a friend's house have to be heavily regimented as an adult has to know how to administer an injection safely.

Teachers at Megan's school Watermoor Primary also need to be trained to give a jab and the youngster cannot leave the house without a life-saving kit that contains a syringe, needles and vials of hydrocortisone.

Now Megan's mother Julie is campaigning to the Department of Health to allow cortisol deficiency sufferers to have 'Epi-pens' which would enable Megan to administer her own injection in an emergency.

Julie, of Fairfax Road, urged readers to sign Megan's petition.

"Megan can deteriorate in a matter of seconds and if she doesn't receive this injection she could die - it's heartbreaking," she explained.

"It's very stressful because one minute she looks a bit ill and the next she's turned blue and has gone limp and I have to remain calm to put the injection together.

"I fear about letting her outside on her own in case something happens - it really is life-limiting.

"As a family we try to keep day to day life as normal as possible but having to ensure she has her injection with her at all times and that an adult is willing and fully trained to administer the injection can be very difficult.

"Megan is a brilliant, loving little girl who has had to come to terms with the illness. She really needs people to sign the petition."

Pat McBride, spokesman for The Pituitary Foundation which is backing the petition, said epipens were simple to use, unlike the injections , which patients said were "extremely difficult" to prepare and use.

"They would be feeling dizzy and unwell making the intricate process of loading the syringe and injecting themselves almost impossible," she added.

To sign the petition go to gopetition.com/petition/41065.html