MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 So I have posted before about adrenal issues that came up at my last visit with the new Doc. I have almost read the whole book "Adrenal Fatigue" that her office recommended and I am just amazed at how much this fits me. I am really beginning to wonder if severe hormonal issues have not caused my dysautonomia. When you read the book you can see how much it all goes together. Has anyone else actually read this book and found the plan to be helpful with their dysauto symptoms. The new doc started me on some adrenal builder. I love the fact that she is a "regular" doctor that practices homeopathic medicine when practical! I surely hope this is the beginning of a recovery! Hugs to you all today and everyday!KC :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieze Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Can you share a bit of info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Can you share a bit of info?Sure! What would you like to know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoe ashcraft Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Can you share a bit of info?Sure! What would you like to know? How about the basics of adrenal fatigue or dysfunction and how it relates to Dsyautonomia? I know I've done enough reading to be considering doing just what you are- but it requires my making that first step to see someone like a Natropath or whatever- that tests the adrenals more accurately than a regular MD. My daughter had adrenal fatigue and a lot of times we have had similar issues (much to her dismay) and she was btw. helped by a natropath and is doing quite well now. Have you also looked into the pituitary gland in this combo of hormones and adrenal function? I have settling of the cranium and signs of hormonal imbalance as well- with all these factors it's difficult to know where to start. Thanks for whatever you can share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Well when I actually read what all the adrenal glands do I was very surprised. The are vital in so many aspects. The play a part in blood pressure regulation, blood sugar regulation, sex hormones, anti-inflammatory responses, and there's alot more that I cant remember right now! :-) When I saw this new doc she looked at my cortisol test (saliva testing) and then saw my female hormone testing (also saliva) she said this is why you feel so terrible your adrenals are shot! My night time cortisol wasnt even on the chart for normal. Too high of cortisol causes as much havoc as too little. So she explained it to me like this: cortisol is the stress hormone and that is why your body is having a hard time dealing with stress whether it be from food, environment etc. Progesterone is the calming hormone...you have very little of either! Nothing to handle the stresses of life and nothing to calm you...recipe for disaster. I think that this has been going on for probably years. When I told her I had taken one of my son's ritalin pills once in a mix up of medication and that I was never the same since she said that was because the adrenals couldnt handle the stimulant. It was the last straw for them. I tend to agree since that was really when my life went to **** in a hand basket! The book recommends diet changes, alot of sleep and supplements. I believe that if my adrenals and female hormones were so low for a very long time it just fried my nervous system. I will only know when I get through the treatment. It will be a long time I'm sure. I will start bio-identical progesterone here in a few days. I just have to be patient....it's been 15 months so I'm getting pretty good at that! I have read in other places on the net that dysautonomia can sometimes relieve itself with in 1-3 years of onset. I believe that really it's probably the adrenals get rested and you start to feel better...for SOME PEOPLE. I know there are plenty of people on here that have other, more serious issues. I would try to find a naturpathic doc who will do the cortisol and female hormone testing. You can even buy some of them off the net and then send them in your self. The book is by James L. Wilson and it's called "Adrenal Fatigue-The 21st Century Stress Syndrome" if you want to check it out. Feel free to message me if you want to chat more about it! KC :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I know I have mentioned to you before that I have delved in this route before. I am interested in how you progress with your therapy. I firmly believe that my problems are adrenal related--just don't know what part!! The adrenal puts out cortisol to help you handle stressful conditions AND it puts out the catecholamines(adrenaline) that CAUSES a stress alert in the body. I swear I am only putting out the adrenaline!! However, when I have my 8 am serum cortisol tested, it is in the normal range. When I had the stimulation test that sees if your cortisol doubles when the pituitary tells your adrenals it needs to put out more cortisol, I did pass the test. BUT, I've had salivary cortisols done probably 7 times over the last ten years, and they all show some low levels. So, I am torn between conventional medicine telling me things are fine with my adrenals, and alternative medicine telling me I am depeleted and need to take cortisol.How I FEEL tells me that alternative medicine is possibly correct. I have literally been living a stress-free life, as I can't stand up long enough to work or sit up when in a stressful situation. I have been "nurturing" myself for 4 years, and nothing has improved. So, I am not so sure that that alone would help my adrenals magically start functioning. So, I am up in the air as to what is real and what isn't. That is why I want to hear accounts of your upcoming journey.I've owned those adrenal books for a few years now, and they make sense. I just don't know if someone like me has tipped over the edge of recovery through plain supplements and relaxation. Most people I've seen on the Adrenal Fatigue forums are feeling bad, but still very much functioning as far as work, etc. I wish I knew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 One more thing--I would like to ask you about what your doctor said about the progesterone you are about to start. You said you needed to get through the first 3 weeks on progesterone with feeling tired, and then it would get better. Can you explain that? I have tried progesterone a couple of times before and get that REALLY tired feeling, so end up stopping it within 5 days. If I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel, I might push through those rough couple of weeks! Can you tell me how the tiredness goes away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoe ashcraft Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Have you ever taken a beta blocker? I'm wondering what the beta blocker does if you have adrenaline issues and autonomic issues. It's all so confusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieze Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I felt great on the Atenolol.It just scared me cause it felt like my bp was bottoming out on me.As far as calming me I preferred it to Xanax.lieze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Have you ever taken a beta blocker? I'm wondering what the beta blocker does if you have adrenaline issues and autonomic issues. It's all so confusing.If you are asking me I only tried Atenonol when this all first happened and it made me feel horrible so I never tried it again. I almost passed out in my laundry room cause I didnt realize it would lower my blood pressure. At the time I had no clue about all this dysauto stuff either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I know I have mentioned to you before that I have delved in this route before. I am interested in how you progress with your therapy. I firmly believe that my problems are adrenal related--just don't know what part!! The adrenal puts out cortisol to help you handle stressful conditions AND it puts out the catecholamines(adrenaline) that CAUSES a stress alert in the body. I swear I am only putting out the adrenaline!! However, when I have my 8 am serum cortisol tested, it is in the normal range. When I had the stimulation test that sees if your cortisol doubles when the pituitary tells your adrenals it needs to put out more cortisol, I did pass the test. BUT, I've had salivary cortisols done probably 7 times over the last ten years, and they all show some low levels. So, I am torn between conventional medicine telling me things are fine with my adrenals, and alternative medicine telling me I am depeleted and need to take cortisol.How I FEEL tells me that alternative medicine is possibly correct. I have literally been living a stress-free life, as I can't stand up long enough to work or sit up when in a stressful situation. I have been "nurturing" myself for 4 years, and nothing has improved. So, I am not so sure that that alone would help my adrenals magically start functioning. So, I am up in the air as to what is real and what isn't. That is why I want to hear accounts of your upcoming journey.I've owned those adrenal books for a few years now, and they make sense. I just don't know if someone like me has tipped over the edge of recovery through plain supplements and relaxation. Most people I've seen on the Adrenal Fatigue forums are feeling bad, but still very much functioning as far as work, etc. I wish I knew.I was just wondering if you have had your catchecholmines tested? I had them tested like 3 times cause they thought maybe I had a pheochromocytoma. They were all normal so it makes me wonder even more if my adrenals arent to blame. Like I said low cortisol levels are just as bad as high according the book. The new doc said even tho my morning level was in the normal range it wasnt good enough. The naturpath I had seen right before her with those same results said it's not too high so it looks like everything is good. He needs to do a little more reading apparently! All I can say is I'm going to try this and if it doesnt work than it doesnt work. I am only on day 3 of the adrenal builder and I know it's going to take awhile to start seeing results. I had a very stressful situation at work come up and I felt like I went back 3 steps...woke up with racing heart and all that 2 nights in a row. I think I just cant handle any additional stress right now. What are you doing to manage your symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 One more thing--I would like to ask you about what your doctor said about the progesterone you are about to start. You said you needed to get through the first 3 weeks on progesterone with feeling tired, and then it would get better. Can you explain that? I have tried progesterone a couple of times before and get that REALLY tired feeling, so end up stopping it within 5 days. If I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel, I might push through those rough couple of weeks! Can you tell me how the tiredness goes away?The way she explained it was that my receptors are so low on progesterone that once I get some on board as she put it it's like the receptors get drunk on progesterone. It may take me a while to get past that tiredness. I am taking 12.5mg in a lozenge form. I'm supposed to start at like 50mg but that would have made me so out of it I just know it! I wont know until I start it again. I am going to start this Sunday. Just trying to give myself like a week on the adrenal builder to make sure I am not having any weird reactions to that. I know how frustrating this is but you just got to keep searching and keeping positive! You know your body and how you feel better than anyone so do what makes you feel best. Hope that helps some! :-)KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I'm the same. My doctors check my catecholamine levels about once a year, as we keep checking for a pheo also. I MOST fit pheo symptoms out of all the adrenal issues: increased b/p, incr. heart rate, HEAT INTOLERANCE all of the sudden, surge of facial redness, and unrelenting anxiety/panic for no reason. It absolutely feels like too much adrenaline, and then that makes me feel lightheaded. It is definitely worse when standing, thus the POTS issue, but can happen when sitting. And, after researching pheos, they can cause a reduced blood volume=POTS! That's why I keep looking for the answer to my POTS, because I do not have EDS, and I didn't have POTS until I was 46 years old.To manage my symptoms, I avoid stressful situations, which is alot. I take Xanax for sleep, but rarely, if I have a stressful day, such as an appointment, I will take a small piece of a Xanax pill, and that will calm things down.I can't wait to see how you progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I can't wait to see how you progress!Me too Sue! I would just like to be back to walking around not even noticing my heart rate or feeling so out of it! That is how it is to be normal right? LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Sue- Did you have your aldosterone levels checked too? I may have that tested as well. It plays a huge role in electrolytes so I know that's gotta be not good if that is messed up. My old doc said do you crave salt? I was like I have been a saltaholic since I can remember does that mean I crave it? My Mom was concerned a couple of times when I was growing up cause I would drink pickle juice/green olive juice and eat bouillon cubes! Now that is a serious salt craving!KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 I did have my aldosterone checked. The first time it was 3, and the range just said normal was <32(?). So I ignored it until I saw a medical article on POTS and the renin/aldosterone system and their POTS patients had HIGHER levels of aldosterone than I did!!! So, I found other places that put an average range of 4-32(?), so asked to be tested again a year after the first. That second test came back in the teens, so that issue was dropped. But, I wonder...if it was soooo low that first time, what if on most days it is always low? That would leave me in this POTS situation day after day. I've about exhausted all of the recommended "specialists" in the deep South around me and I can't fly(waaaayyyy too much adrenaline for that!). So, I just keep on waiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notgivinup Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Certain times of the month I crave olive and pickle juice too. I drink it straight from the jar. But unless I'm having steak I don't use it much. Oh I forgot I also love pumpkin seeds. With the salted shells.Connection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBlonde Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 This is a really good article on your adrenal glands. It explains why your body is craving salt and why you need to eat more and perhaps take salt pills if recommended by your doctor. I couldn't copy it, but here is the link. I hope the info on salt and aldosterone helps.http://www.goodhormonehealth.com/youradrenal.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2010 Hey there! I just wanted to update those following this thread. I have been on the adrenal support for about 2 weeks now and the progesterone for 1 week. I had taken the progesterone before and such insane drowsiness that I decided to stop taking it. I am amazed that with the addition of the adrenal support I didn't have any of the drowsiness this time around with the progesterone. I will see how it goes for a month straight as I know all too well how hormone fluctuation can change how you feel! I am trying to follow all the suggestions in the Adrenal Fatigue book and so far it's going good. I still wake up with a racing heart and that is one of my most bothersome symptoms. Time will be the teller of this tale and I just have to remain patient. Thanks for your support!KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomindy21 Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Great to hear that there may be some hope! Keep us tuned in to how this things are going with this over the next few weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieze Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Yeah keep up the good work-I'm following your story too.My gut kept telling me adrenal glands/fatigue when all of this started.My cortisol levels were normal when tested at Cleveland Clinic.Also I guess with adrenal fatigue K+ often is low is what my gp told me-and she says every time she has checked mine I am always in the normal range.??? Just big questions.My periods though are all over the place. My last interval was only 2 weeks and it's been a full week and I'm still spotting. I think I'll do a follow up with my gyno as soon as school is out.lieze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsdmom Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Trainboysmomrocks,What type of adrenal support are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTrain Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Trainboysmomrocks,What type of adrenal support are you using?It's called Cytozyme -AD from Biotics 1 tablet 3xdaily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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