Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the link and the information,Holly! Keep us posted in what you find

out.

I'm not sure if your doctor is open to the idea of adrenal fatigue, and I'm

pretty sure mine won't be. He's very mainstream. Anyways, I wonder what I would

do if I did find out I had adrenal fatigue. Do I go to my doctor about it, or

what course of action would I take to correct it?

Do you think that if you find out that you have adrenal fatigue that you will go

to your doctor with that information, or do you plan on taking care of it

yourself?

I'm curious how other people handle situations like that, because I feel your

doctor should be aware of all the supplements/drugs that you are taking. So if I

get tests outside of my doctor's office, how do I deal with taking care of the

issues without having my doctor on board. (Hope I'm making sense.) Anyone have

suggestions on dealing with this? I don't know of any alternative medical doctor

around here, and I'm not sure how to go about finding a reputable one.

Thanks!

Amber

> >

> > I've read a few articles on adrenal fatigue and skimmed through the posts

here. I'm still confused, because it seems like the symptoms can be very broad

and vague. I have a few questions.

> >

> > Here's some background info-

> > I was diagnosed with Crohn's last June, so it has almost been a year. The

few years previous to that I was extremely active running marathons, plus extra

cardio and lifting (I only tell you this because it seems that may have already

been taxing my adrenals). I was definitely over exercising and not getting

enough rest. Then the Crohn's came on, and obviously since then, things haven't

been the same. I have only had my period once since my diagnosis.

> >

> > My weight has been up and down a bunch within a 40 pound range which I know

can affect my period. I've had a few times where I didn't fuel enough, I lost my

period, but it was only a month or two and it came back. Normally, I was always

regular.

> >

> > Since my diagnosis, my meds have been Remicade and Methotrexate. My last

flare was the beginning of March. The meds were not working, and they doubled my

Remicade dose. That only lasted for a few days out of the hospital and my fevers

(one of my main symptoms) started coming back. So they put me on Prednisone, 40

mg, which actually worked for me this time. (When I was originally diagnosed,

they put me on Pred, but I got a lot worse until I got my first Remicade.)

> >

> > As far as symptoms and testing, I tried the Iris Contraction test and

failed. My pupils wavered a lot. Is this test legitimate?

> >

> > Other symptoms I have are :

> > • fatigue, but I know this could be from Crohn's itself

> > • low blood pressure

> > • startle easlily

> > • food cravings

> > • gain weight mostly in my belly

> >

> > The thing is, I don't know if I'm just normally like that. I've actually had

those symptoms well before Crohn's.

> >

> > Also, one other strange thing I noticed is that I lost weight when I was on

Prednisone. Granted, I was flaring at the time, but when I flare not on

Prednisone, I didn't lose as much weight. It kind of makes me think that

something else may be going on.

> >

> > Sooo...(I thank anyone who took the time to read all that!), my questions

are:

> > • Do you think I have adrenal fatigue?

> > • Is there any way to confirm this? From what I've read, conventional MDs

don't believe in it.

> > • What do I do besides rest and eat well?

> > • I exercise quite a bit (not nearly as much as I did pre-Crohn's), so

should I back off, and how much?

> > • I know thyroid issues can also go along with this, but I get very confused

with the different tests. I had a thyroid test done a few months ago due to the

lack of a period, but my gyno said it was OK. However, i know the test they run

are not usually enough to tell you if you have a problem, from what I

understand. I just don't know what to ask for.

> >

> > Can anyone please help? Sorry this is so long. I just kind of feel stuck.

> >

> > Thanks in advance,

> >

> > Amber

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Amber,Sky (a member in this group) found one for me as I actually live in the UK. She belongs to another yahoo group for adrenal/thyroid problems. I found one for my mother at http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/ look for doctors who have several recommendations and also mention adrenal care. You can search by state.AmeliaFrom: fossil.color

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 4:03:29 PMSubject: Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

Hi Amelia,

I'm glad you found a doctor who can help out with your issues, and you're on your way to feeling better. I would love to find one, but I don't even know where to start. How did you find yours?

Thanks,

Amber

>

> Amber,

>

> I just found a good integrative medicine doctor (thanks, Sky!) and he did blood and urine checks on my TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and reverse T3. He also did a blood check on my D3 levels. He did a saliva test on my DHEA and Cortisol levels. My regular GP did a good blood work-up as well and confirmed that my B12 levels and Ferritin levels were great, so that wasn't complicating things. Probably the three most important things in my diagnosis was the D3 levels (off the bottom of the chart -- go figure in sunny Scotland!), my cortisol levels (spiked high in the morning, then dropped to very low and basically flat-lined the rest of the day), and the reverse T3 (way too high). In short, with good ferritin and B12 levels and 'good' TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels (also done by normal GP), my GP deemed me just fine and all looked fantastic, I should feel fine. However, the integrative doctor discovered that the Free T3 and Free T4 were 'good' only

because

> I had high reverse T3 which is inactive and blocking the receptor site for the normal T3 and therefore I wasn't have the benefit of the active/normal T3. He also discovered that because my cortisol was so low most of the day, I wasn't getting into the cells what little T3 was making it into the receptor sites. These things together explained my hypothyroid and adrenal fatigue symptoms inspite of 'normal' lab results. And yes, my GP did do a cortisol check, by blood and only in the morning -- which is when I spike and so allowed her to think I was 'normal.' And that the very low D3 was really complicating things as well. He has put me on adrenal cortex supplements to help regulate the cortisol levels along with vitamin supplements to support the adrenals and thyroid. I am also taking D3, but I don't think it is enough but as we will permanently (well for the next 4 years anyway!) be in a much sunnier climate in about 5 weeks time, I am not

too

> fussed about it at the moment. After I have gotten a bit sorted on this regime and gotten better cortisol levels, he will see about addressing the high reverse T3 and check for yeast issues (was required to take antibiotics every time I wanted my teeth cleaned for 25 years due to a misguided medical community response to my so called prolapsed mitral valve). I am doing better, not perfect, but I can tell a difference in energy levels, attitude, mental clarity, and sex drive (whoo hoo!). I have only been on the supplements about 2 weeks and my progress is up and down at the moment, but definitely see improvements.

>

> I cannot stress to everyone enough that getting your adrenal and thyroid systems in good working order is imperative to good health -- not just good output of hormones but good response to those hormones. My body was just barely coping and according to test results had been for a number of years and to all the doctors I looked to be in perfect health. Great teeth, lots of hair, looked young for my age, normal weight, good lab results, etc., yet I was barely keeping my head above water coping with cooking, laundry, kids and homework. My husband (the UC sufferer that started us down the road to good health) was having to take up more and more of the slack. It is amazing how far and long the body can cope with imbalances, and how far we sink and settle for sub-optimal living before someone says something and rattle our cages a bit to get us to realize that what we think is 'normal' isn't and that life and health can actually be much better.

>

>

> Amelia

>

>

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: fossil.color <fossil.color@ ...>

> To: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com

> Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 8:06:51 PM

> Subject: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

>

>

> I've read a few articles on adrenal fatigue and skimmed through the posts here. I'm still confused, because it seems like the symptoms can be very broad and vague. I have a few questions.

>

> Here's some background info-

> I was diagnosed with Crohn's last June, so it has almost been a year. The few years previous to that I was extremely active running marathons, plus extra cardio and lifting (I only tell you this because it seems that may have already been taxing my adrenals). I was definitely over exercising and not getting enough rest. Then the Crohn's came on, and obviously since then, things haven't been the same. I have only had my period once since my diagnosis.

>

> My weight has been up and down a bunch within a 40 pound range which I know can affect my period. I've had a few times where I didn't fuel enough, I lost my period, but it was only a month or two and it came back. Normally, I was always regular.

>

> Since my diagnosis, my meds have been Remicade and Methotrexate. My last flare was the beginning of March. The meds were not working, and they doubled my Remicade dose. That only lasted for a few days out of the hospital and my fevers (one of my main symptoms) started coming back. So they put me on Prednisone, 40 mg, which actually worked for me this time. (When I was originally diagnosed, they put me on Pred, but I got a lot worse until I got my first Remicade.)

>

> As far as symptoms and testing, I tried the Iris Contraction test and failed. My pupils wavered a lot. Is this test legitimate?

>

> Other symptoms I have are :

> • fatigue, but I know this could be from Crohn's itself

> • low blood pressure

> • startle easlily

> • food cravings

> • gain weight mostly in my belly

>

> The thing is, I don't know if I'm just normally like that. I've actually had those symptoms well before Crohn's.

>

> Also, one other strange thing I noticed is that I lost weight when I was on Prednisone. Granted, I was flaring at the time, but when I flare not on Prednisone, I didn't lose as much weight. It kind of makes me think that something else may be going on.

>

> Sooo...(I thank anyone who took the time to read all that!), my questions are:

> • Do you think I have adrenal fatigue?

> • Is there any way to confirm this? From what I've read, conventional MDs don't believe in it.

> • What do I do besides rest and eat well?

> • I exercise quite a bit (not nearly as much as I did pre-Crohn's) , so should I back off, and how much?

> • I know thyroid issues can also go along with this, but I get very confused with the different tests. I had a thyroid test done a few months ago due to the lack of a period, but my gyno said it was OK. However, i know the test they run are not usually enough to tell you if you have a problem, from what I understand. I just don't know what to ask for.

>

> Can anyone please help? Sorry this is so long. I just kind of feel stuck.

>

> Thanks in advance,

>

> Amber

>

[Guest guest]

I cannot stress to everyone enough that getting your adrenal and thyroid systems in good working order is imperative to good healthHey Amelia! I was just wondering what symptoms I should be on the lookout for to see if I have any adrenal issues. I'm saving all your emails that are dealing with this so that if I ever need to push my doctor to give me some tests, I'll have some info to give her. Peace =)Alyssa 16 yo UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008SCD June 2009 (restarted)Azathioprine 75 mg 1x per dayPrednisone 30 mg 1x per day

[Guest guest]

One symptom I noticed was itchy ears. I have done that from time to time, but

thought it was allergies. I did not see the cold bum one !

PJ

>

> Alyssa,

>

> It sounds like you have enough of the symptoms to seriously consider you might

have a problem. I have always had cold hands and feet. I, too, was surprised

by the 'air hunger' one. I actually experienced 'chronic hyperventilation'

because of that and didn't realize it. You end up breathing from the top of the

chest (which hyperinflates the lungs), instead of lower with your diaphragm.

When I start feeling this, I make a concerted effort to engage my diaphragm. If

you breath from the top too much, you will actually get too much oxygen and

won't have enough C02, believe it or not -- which is why when someone

hyperventilates, the remedy is to give the person a paper bag to breath into and

out of, increasing the amount of C02 taken in. Anyway, the funniest symptom

that I saw in the book was cold bum! ; ) I have that one too -- HA!

>

> I would be looking at all the symptoms and reading about how they relate

because it all feeds back on each other. It sounds like you might be having low

stomach acid issues if you are not hungry in the mornings. If this is

happening, then it is possible that you aren't digesting and absorbing nutrients

and supplements properly. I think the biggest ones to suffer are the absorption

of iron and B12, which might explain the anaemia. If you haven't seen it

mentioned on the site yet, low body temperature has the side-effect of low

enzyme activity -- enzymes work best at normal body temperature -- 98.6 -- and

if it is too low, doesn't perform well which of course means that you are not

breaking down your food well and not getting the vitamins/minerals/salts etc.

from your food.

>

> I posted a link yesterday for Amber of where you can look up doctors by state

who test and treat thyroid/adrenal issues by physiological response, not just

lab results. If you need me to post it again, I can.

>

> Yes, it is so frustrating trying to be our own doctors and advocates. Most of

the time the symptoms are so vague or seemingly unrelated. Then when we realize

it, it is hard to get a doctor to take us seriously. We have to be educated

enough to counter their responses and know if they are doing the right tests!

That just isn't right. I am just glad that there are good doctors out there

that are catching on and clueing in. I am also glad that there are people out

there sharing their experiences so that we can learn and then find those

doctors. And you thought you would be finished with 'learning' when you

graduated college! ; )

>

> Amelia

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: BTVC-SCD

> Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 11:02:44 PM

> Subject: Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

>

>

> The above site is a wealth of information -- almost as good as the book.

> Thanks for the website! I'm definitely reading up on it =) I already looked

through the list of symptoms for hypothyroid; is this what I'm looking for? Or

should I be looking into adrenal fatigue? Low cortisol? I'm not really sure what

specific name/diagnosis/ label I'm supposed to be looking at.

>

> Some symptoms I have that seem unusual (other than the obvious D from UC) are

cold hands and feet, low body temperature, achy joints, haven't gotten my period

yet, sometimes get jittery (though I've always attributed this to the

prednisone; the timing seems to be there), and also " air hunger. " This is the

first time I've actually seen a name for feeling like I can't get enough air,

but it happens to me all the time. Today, actually, I was noticing it a lot. I

also have been feeling like I need naps in the afternoon lately, but that could

be from getting up at 5:15 every morning =) Oh! And I noticed a symptom was not

being able to eat in the morning. I usually just have a smoothie in the morning

because as early as I have to eat (6:30 ish) my body can't seem to handle

anything heavy. It doesn't make me nauseous, but it feels like it could come

back up any second. I guess like my stomach is on edge or jittery or something.

And I noticed the site mentioned

> osteoporosis as a symptom, which I have.

>

> I really appreciate your help on this! It's annoying how we have to try so

hard to figure out whether we have thyroid/adrenal issues, when fixing/treating

them could help so much.

>

>

> Peace =)

> Alyssa 16 yo

> UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008

> SCD June 2009 (restarted)Azathioprine 75 mg 1x per dayPrednisone 30 mg 1x per

day

>

[Guest guest]

PJ,It was at the bottom of one of the charts of symptoms in the book. I have the itchy ears as well, and unfortunately it happens more at night when I am trying to sleep! AmeliaTo: BTVC-SCD Sent: Fri, May 7, 2010 2:05:36 PMSubject:

Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

One symptom I noticed was itchy ears. I have done that from time to time, but thought it was allergies. I did not see the cold bum one !

PJ

>

> Alyssa,

>

> It sounds like you have enough of the symptoms to seriously consider you might have a problem. I have always had cold hands and feet. I, too, was surprised by the 'air hunger' one. I actually experienced 'chronic hyperventilation' because of that and didn't realize it. You end up breathing from the top of the chest (which hyperinflates the lungs), instead of lower with your diaphragm. When I start feeling this, I make a concerted effort to engage my diaphragm. If you breath from the top too much, you will actually get too much oxygen and won't have enough C02, believe it or not -- which is why when someone hyperventilates, the remedy is to give the person a paper bag to breath into and out of, increasing the amount of C02 taken in. Anyway, the funniest symptom that I saw in the book was cold bum! ; ) I have that one too -- HA!

>

> I would be looking at all the symptoms and reading about how they relate because it all feeds back on each other. It sounds like you might be having low stomach acid issues if you are not hungry in the mornings. If this is happening, then it is possible that you aren't digesting and absorbing nutrients and supplements properly. I think the biggest ones to suffer are the absorption of iron and B12, which might explain the anaemia. If you haven't seen it mentioned on the site yet, low body temperature has the side-effect of low enzyme activity -- enzymes work best at normal body temperature -- 98.6 -- and if it is too low, doesn't perform well which of course means that you are not breaking down your food well and not getting the vitamins/minerals/ salts etc. from your food.

>

> I posted a link yesterday for Amber of where you can look up doctors by state who test and treat thyroid/adrenal issues by physiological response, not just lab results. If you need me to post it again, I can.

>

> Yes, it is so frustrating trying to be our own doctors and advocates. Most of the time the symptoms are so vague or seemingly unrelated. Then when we realize it, it is hard to get a doctor to take us seriously. We have to be educated enough to counter their responses and know if they are doing the right tests! That just isn't right. I am just glad that there are good doctors out there that are catching on and clueing in. I am also glad that there are people out there sharing their experiences so that we can learn and then find those doctors. And you thought you would be finished with 'learning' when you graduated college! ; )

>

> Amelia

>

>

>

>

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: Alyssa Luck <luckycharms@ ...>

> To: BTVC-SCD@yahoogroup s.com

> Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 11:02:44 PM

> Subject: Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

>

>

> The above site is a wealth of information -- almost as good as the book.

> Thanks for the website! I'm definitely reading up on it =) I already looked through the list of symptoms for hypothyroid; is this what I'm looking for? Or should I be looking into adrenal fatigue? Low cortisol? I'm not really sure what specific name/diagnosis/ label I'm supposed to be looking at.

>

> Some symptoms I have that seem unusual (other than the obvious D from UC) are cold hands and feet, low body temperature, achy joints, haven't gotten my period yet, sometimes get jittery (though I've always attributed this to the prednisone; the timing seems to be there), and also "air hunger." This is the first time I've actually seen a name for feeling like I can't get enough air, but it happens to me all the time. Today, actually, I was noticing it a lot. I also have been feeling like I need naps in the afternoon lately, but that could be from getting up at 5:15 every morning =) Oh! And I noticed a symptom was not being able to eat in the morning. I usually just have a smoothie in the morning because as early as I have to eat (6:30 ish) my body can't seem to handle anything heavy. It doesn't make me nauseous, but it feels like it could come back up any second. I guess like my stomach is on edge or jittery or something. And I noticed the site

mentioned

> osteoporosis as a symptom, which I have.

>

> I really appreciate your help on this! It's annoying how we have to try so hard to figure out whether we have thyroid/adrenal issues, when fixing/treating them could help so much.

>

>

> Peace =)

> Alyssa 16 yo

> UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008

> SCD June 2009 (restarted)Azathiop rine 75 mg 1x per dayPrednisone 30 mg 1x per day

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you have enough of the symptoms to seriously consider you might have a problem.Thanks for responding Amelia! I just did the pupil test, and it started fluctuating within seconds. Boo =( How conclusive is this though? I want to do the temperature test, but I can't test it every 3 hours because of school. Can I test as soon as I get home from school at 3, then at 6 and 9? I will do the every three hours thing over the weekend though. I'll also do the BP test since my dad has a BP monitor. If I fail all those, maybe I'll order the saliva test so I can convince my doctor. But then, how would she treat me? Maybe I just need to find another doctor. Looks like there might be one near me from that list though, so that's good!Thanks again!! Peace =)Alyssa 16 yo UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008SCD June 2009 (restarted)Azathioprine 75 mg 1x per dayPrednisone 30 mg 1x per day

[Guest guest]

Holly,

Thanks for sharing with me what your plans are. It can be frustrating to try and

get the information/tests you want but not to have your doctor be on board with

what is a legitimate test or concern. I hope you can get the thyroid test

ordered without having to pay out of pocket.

Good luck with your GI. I'm on Remicade, but I always thought if I ever was able

to get on Humira and was feeling good and had been on the diet for a long time

that I'd try and not take that med. Unfortunately with Remicade, there really is

no way for my GI to not know if I'm taking it!

Hope you get some answers with your tests and get things straightened out.

Amber

> >

> > Thanks for the link and the information,Holly! Keep us posted in what you

find out.

> >

> > I'm not sure if your doctor is open to the idea of adrenal fatigue, and I'm

pretty sure mine won't be. He's very mainstream. Anyways, I wonder what I would

do if I did find out I had adrenal fatigue. Do I go to my doctor about it, or

what course of action would I take to correct it?

> >

> > Do you think that if you find out that you have adrenal fatigue that you

will go to your doctor with that information, or do you plan on taking care of

it yourself?

> >

> > I'm curious how other people handle situations like that, because I feel

your doctor should be aware of all the supplements/drugs that you are taking. So

if I get tests outside of my doctor's office, how do I deal with taking care of

the issues without having my doctor on board. (Hope I'm making sense.) Anyone

have suggestions on dealing with this? I don't know of any alternative medical

doctor around here, and I'm not sure how to go about finding a reputable one.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > Amber

>

[Guest guest]

Alyssa,I don't know how conclusive the eye test is as it did the same for me, and two of my sons. I think it could also indicate a temporary electrolyte imbalance. I do know that each cell contains sodium and to keep the sodium in the cell, potassium is around the cell. If you don't have enough of each you have an imbalance. If that imbalance is such that the sodium 'escapes', you will have the eye symptoms among other things. I would try to make sure to get plenty of sodium in my diet and eat a banana a day for the potassium to see if that makes a difference. Plenty of water is good, but if you are getting too much or not enough potassium, you will just be flushing the salt from your body.The BP test I have actually failed and didn't even know why they were

doing the check -- done many years ago. That too, can be fixed by making sure you are drinking enough water and having enough sodium. For me, the defining test was the temperature taking 3 hours after waking, then 6 hours after waking, then 9 hours after waking. I could very clearly see that my temps were not reaching normal and weren't even close when averaged. I don't have any suggestions regarding the conflict with school, but I do think the test is worthwhile if you can do it. Maybe you could do it just on the weekends until you have 5 days and then look at the variations that way. It would be an indication at least and you could verify it again when you next have a 5 day break from school. AmeliaTo: BTVC-SCD Sent: Fri, May 7, 2010 9:50:38 PMSubject: Re: OT- adrenal fatigue questions

It sounds like you have enough of the symptoms to seriously consider you might have a problem.Thanks for responding Amelia! I just did the pupil test, and it started fluctuating within seconds. Boo =( How conclusive is this though? I want to do the temperature test, but I can't test it every 3 hours because of school. Can I test as soon as I get home from school at 3, then at 6 and 9? I will do the every three hours thing over the weekend though. I'll also do the BP test since my dad has a BP monitor. If I fail all those, maybe I'll order the saliva

test so I can convince my doctor. But then, how would she treat me? Maybe I just need to find another doctor. Looks like there might be one near me from that list though, so that's good!Thanks again!! Peace =)Alyssa 16 yo UC April 2008, dx Sept 2008SCD June 2009 (restarted)Azathioprine 75 mg 1x per dayPrednisone 30 mg 1x per day

[Guest guest]

Maybe you could do it just on the weekends until you have 5 days and

then look at the variations that way. It would be an indication at

least and you could verify it again when you next have a 5 day break

from school.

I think they really do need five consecutive days, at least from what

I've read. Oh well, it's not THAT far until summer vacation.