Anyone recovering from hypoadrenia (adrenal fatigue)?

I am currently 28 years old and believe to have been suffering from Adrenal Fatigue my ENTIRE life. As a child I would often have black-outs in the morning. As a college student, I would study for hours due to extreme brain fog. I have gone from doctor-to-doctor explaining that something was wrong. They did the typical sets of blood-work and always told me I was "normal". They never looked into it further being that I was young, healthy and athletic. At age 20 I diagnosed myself with Hypoglycemia and changed my diet which helped but I was still suffering quite a bit. Later, I failed the "tilt table" test at the Cardiologist...and they told me I had a rare condition people over 65 get and put me on steriods (a few wks later I stopped). I then got my hormornes checked, and the doctor told me my levels were like that of a 45+ year old.

Seriously.... I finally started seeing a chiropractor who was the one that suggested it may be my Adrenals. I then went to a "Natural Medical Doctor" who has me on Hydrocortisone. This helps...but I notice it more when I "stop" taking it. While I'm on it, I have extreme brain fog. I'm also taking Vitamin D (which was really low for me), B12 liquid, Nattokinase, fish oil, and a vegitable suppliment. Everything is Natural and I suggest to keep it natural. You don't need more metals and foreign things to stress your body with. I took an Achinacia shot instead of the Flu shot as well this year. I am still recovering, but it's nice to know that I have more good days today than I had in the past. If you think you might have this, the best way to have it tested is with an Adrenal Saliva test. I don't know how well blood tests work. And also see a doctor who will listen to you. ** this is key because a lot of doctors don't see this as a big problem. It has taken control of my life and my thyroid and everything else always came back fine.

In a nutshell, my symptoms are: Low blood sugar, extreme brain fog, slight-ring of ears, falling asleep after heavy workouts or eating a high carb. diet, feeling very tired throughout the day even though I slept 8-10 hours, low-no sex drive, sensitivity to alcohol & caffeine, depression, black-outs due to stress (lack of sleep, working out, high anxiety moments such as "test anxiety").

I hope my story will help others and I will post again with my progress.

hi , could anybody on here with any helpful advice email me ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
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ive got a f and im struggling big time , thank you

HAVE BEEN IN THE ADRENAL FIELD FOR VERY LONG TIME - AND THE ONLY SUPPLEMENT THAT REALLY HELPS RECOVERY IS ISOCORT !!! JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE IT - NEED TO STAY ON IT FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR - ITS A VERY STRICT PROTOCOL...

Though I have had signs of adrenal fatigue all my life (hypoglycemia and allergies are big clues!), after getting Lyme disease 5 years ago I was unknowingly sent into terrible adrenal stress. They caught the Lyme early, but the recovery was tough and was followed by many physical and life stressors.

Just over a year ago I got an adrenal hormone saliva test and the doctor asked, "How do you get out of bed?" more than once because my results were so low.

Over a year later I am doing FAR better. So, I can attest to the possibility of some level of recovery!! But, I know this recovery will be in terms of years, and not months or days.

Dr. Lam has gotten me on a good supplement regimine for me.

I wish I had known from the beginning that, in large part for me, "It's the blood sugar, stupid!" I had been eating an EXTREMELY healthy diet for years (about 100g excellent carbs only), but it really didn't matter. No one picked this up- they just saw my diet and thought, oh, THAT'S not the problem. The consistent hypoglycemic episodes were the alert that my diet WAS still a problem. When I cut the carbs way down, the hypoglycemia went away and my adrenals got a nice rest. They REALLY need to not have to pull up blood sugar in order to recover.

Going into ketosis gave me more adrenaline and insomnia, though. I am still learning how to balance this issue.

I always knew, "It's also the sleep, stupid!" but getting sleep with adrenal fatigue is a ridiculous feat. I get circadian rhythm problems every time we switch the clocks in the fall. I get insomnia every time my hormones drop the last week of the month. When my blood sugar wasn't stable, that could take a free fall at night. This is a HUGE challenge. I still play with different supplements and approaches to help here. Winter circadian rhythm problems, as well as a tendency to lose estrogen late cycle means 5HTP (serotonin precurser?) is most helpful because those problems trigger serotonin problems. Bach's Rescue Remedy helps calm the adrenaline response in the middle of the night *IF* it is not too severe, and get me back to sleep. This is almost better than taking stuff at bedtime since I am never sure exactly what will work, or if it will be out of my system at dawn. When I take GABA late in my cycle, it adds to the extra luteal phase progesterone and makes me feel like the walking dead all day!! Sleep has been the trickiest problem to solve.

As an aside, I think it is a difficult question to answer if emotional stressors contribute to this. A person with adrenal fatigue has so much less in the way of hormonal resources to deal with stressors, that I think it is just a big 'ole circle and just too hard to figure out this chicken/egg question. When I have sleep, stable blood sugar, and summer sun, I handle almost anything with ease. When I am waking at 2am for the day, can't go 2 hours without a blood sugar dip, and have little sun in the winter, anything can make my adrenal fatigue get worse.

Thanks so much for this amazing site. I can relate to most of the stories and added to my store of knowledge. My own story began a year ago. I am lucky that I found a naturopath who was able to diagnose andd treat me in the first three months. I started having panic attacks and anxiety up the wazoo. I always conssidered myself to be a strong person so to suddenly fall apart with pani. Atta ms, sever depression, hormones all over the place, extreme weight loss, insomnia I realised there was a limit. I amself employed so a lot of pressure came from that. Otherwise I had no other crazy stress unless you want to count ongoing arguments withmy mother.

So I started with a homeopath initially and followed that with a naturopath who started me on vit C, l-tyrosine, 5htp, megnesium and p5p. I was on that for 3 months and felt so much better thogugh by no means MYSELF. We then tackled hormone balancing with a protein
medical food and that sorted out my mood swings PMS and cycles. I've been on that for 3 months whilst still taking the adrenal supps. I think it's going to take at least another 6 months to get closer tomy real self.

The main problem I am encountering is keeping my blood sugar stable andeating every 2-3 hours. I means there are onlyso manynuts one can take! I really really wish there was a cookbook out there specifically for Adrenal Recovery - one that is filled with wonderful ideas that is focussed on keeping blood sugar stable, gives the proper nutrients and evenpossible supplements as well. Such as I recently read the chromium help to keep blood
sugar stable as well as L-glutamine. I also read about Glucobalance and have asked the naturopath about them. I could use all the help I can get because when those blood sugars drop I reach for the nearest high sugar carb. It doesn't help at all but I then read that if you suddenly get a drop and take L-glutamine sublingually it'll give your body a chance to burn the glutamine instead. I also recently read that by using full fat coconut milk in your protein berry smoothie instead of yogurt it will give you the energy that you need all day and will therefore minimise blood sugar drops. You don't have to worry about weight gain because coconut anything boosts metabolism.

I have tried the glutamine which does help and wll start on the coconut milk smoothies.

Hope that helps someone.

PS sorry about the typos in the above post. I am typing on my iPhone which can be tricky.

I found this forum recently, it seems to be inactive, however if someone like me finds it I would like to point a great source written by Dr Lam. It is especially useful for learning about connection of adrenals, thyroid and ovaries, as well as recognising different stages of adrenal insufficiency. It is important to know what stage you are in, as early stages react well to some supplements but for later stages of exhaustion, the same supplements (or functional foods) can become toxic. I am still on my learning path, recovering from complete exhaustion. Hope this will help (just search Dr Lam website).

Hi, I so relate to all of these comments. I am 29 y.o. and just a month ago I diagnosed myself with adrenal fatigue. My story is very similar to the others in this forum. I have always been a healthy eater and worked out my whole life. It all started about 4 years ago with developing nasty hypoglycemia. If I only knew then what was going on with me...Weak nails, hair loss, depression for no reason, anxiety, a couple of panic attacks, fast heart rate - like my heart will jump out of my chest. Feeling weak, shaky and often dizzy out of nowhere. For the last two years I was also dealing with breathing problems(very uncomfortable feeling). I did a lot of reasarch on internet and studied some of the books mentioned above. I am now for almost a month on these supplements: VitC 1000mg(3x a day), Bcomplex50mg(2-3x a day, magnesium 500mg(3x a day), the only herb supplement that I have tried is ASHWAGANDA(there are other that replenishes adrenals). All this together saved my life, I am already feeling 100% better, its like the old me again. Even my husband told me how different I am. You have to believe that you will get better because you will. Your body can heal if you give it the right treatment. Its not about eliminating the stress. Stress is a part of all of our lives. It wont just disappear. It is about how you react to it. And if you have healthy adrenal glands you will be able to handle everything much better.I have to say that Ashwaghanda is helping me the most. It is like a magic herb. It helps me to fall asleep within 30 mins and I sleep throughout the whole nite, waking up fresh. I take the second pill around 9 or 10 am, especially if I have a busy and stresful day at work. It keeps me calm and alert at the same time. That is a total of 940mg a day. Hope it can have the same effect on some of you too. I bought my at Whole Foods(Solaray company, dont buy the cheapest one, know your supplements!)Hope this will help.

i too have been diagnosed with a hypoadrenal gland however my doctor put me on metformin and said it should help i have noticed a little more energy and less craving fro random foods!!!

Adrenal insufficiency is VERY REAL, and VERY DEADLY. Unchecked it can go on for quite awhile as long as your body can compensate. At the point you can no longer compensate, you will go into adrenal shock and die. I am an RN,BSN. Not only have I seen it, but I am suffering from it at this very minute. It started way before I had difficulty breathing in July 2010. I thought I had pneumonia. Anyway, I was put on Prednisone--round after round. I developed what seems to be an "exogenous" hypoadrenopathy. But, at this point, there is also evidence to indicate that insufficient adrenal output was what caused me to be ill in the first place. The adrenals control the mineral balance, water balance, metabolism, and allergic/immune reactions in the body. They also are involved with production of hormones. Signs and symptoms are: FLANK pain-very similar to a kidney infection (Rogoff's sign), skin breaking out like acne, red cheeks, cortisol fat--on the abdomen, around the waist, and extending too about mid-thigh, puffy face, inability to concentrate, nervousness and irritability, fatigue, dizziness and fainting--related to the orthostatic hypotension, cold hands/feet with clamminess, ravenous cravings because the adrenals are not metabolizing carbs, protein, and fats correctly. Oh, and, ankle and finger swelling--because you need salt, and your body is holding fluid to try to hold onto what little salt you have, also, salt is a diuretic and carries fluid out of the body with it, but not if you don't have enough. I am doing supplements: DHEA-helps with the "stress". Ginseng-for body repair, stress, mental focus. 1/2 tsp to a TBSP of salt per day. (My ankle and finger swelling are gone since I am not cutting salt, and I eat a banana for potassium--I don't trust potassium pills not to kill me). You need 2000-4000mg of Vitamin C per day, and a concentrated Vitamin B complex with attention to B6 (all vita B is good for adrenal cortex issues). Vitamin E 400 IU (presently)/day. Take your omega fatty acids, and eat a diet rich in natural vitamin C--green leafy foods, red potatoes. Red potatoes have copper in them, and your adrenals need copper trace element. You cannot take it in supplement form. If your adrenals are just tired, or the reason for the adrenal insufficiency is medication induced, like from a corticosteroid/prednisone, with the supplements, resting enough, eating and exercising correctly, you should see improvement and a gradual recovery. Remember, it didn't happen overnight, so it isn't going away "overnight". If it is caused by pituitary, thyroid, or death and atrophy of the adrenals, you may require other interventions, such as hormone replacement for the affected gland so the others will fall in line, or corticosteroid replacement therapy. I am seeing improvement with the salt replacement and the supplements. And the "acute" respiratory distress seems to be improving. They said it was an asthmatic inflammatory response. I am 52 and never had allergies or asthma in my life. That is why I said theadrenals may have been stressed too far to begin with. They control allergic/immune response. I work 6 nights a week, get little sleep, and have a family to care for since my husband died 2 years ago. So, I have had my fair share of "stressors". I might add--get the caffeine, and sugar out of your diet while you are trying to recover. They are considered stressors. At least cut back some. I do black coffee. I can't stop completely for the headache it would cause.

Hello there,

 

I have been suffering adrenal fatigue now for about 6 months i have seen a nurtropth who has told me to take super adrenal formula and stamina caps. ive been taking them for two months now and feeling a bit better, ive been getting really bad brain fog and shortness of breath a little. And just a very strange feeling in my body.

 

Ive been following the dr wilsons book for 21st centry adrenal stress which is very good, but cant help to think im not getting better. Is it true it can take a long time to recover from adrenal fatigue? Its such an awful feeling im getting really depressed with it and often worry that i will get worse.

 

Reading what everyone has said is making me feel better and not alone.

 

 

 

I think you have sleep apnea. I had the fast heart beat and
gasping for air. You need s sleep study test. I now use a
Cpap machine.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned acupuncture for adrenal fatigue; I recommend it. After a 1.5 year battle with extreme adrenal fatigue through diet, supplementing, and reducing stress, I've found acupuncture is the most effective and "quick" way to make progress. Albeit, my adrenal fatigue was set off by "accutane" medication, so perhaps my physical stress is different than yours and acupuncture is kore effective for me than it may be for you-- but again, despite a sold 500 days of research, battle, and money thrown at supplements (which may or may not be absorbing at all) I have found the most relief by seeing a 59 year old acupuncture sage from China. Other highly effective methods have been vegetable juicing, which can equally run up a bill, and doing whatever it takes to sleep however long your body asks for. Some days call for 8 hours, others 15 hours of sleep. Listen to your body and give yourself a "season" allowance away from work, college, whatever have you to actually recover. While it is a decision that may cause some life "stress" I think it is the right choice/investment in yourself to make. Just a random stranger's humble opinion. Keep fighting the good fight- and take it easy.

Thankyou so much for all your advice, its so helpful to know im not alone, its such a terrible feeling you get with this.

I will defiantly gice acupuncture a go ive been thinking of doing this.

Thanks again guys.

x

Hi guyz..
i am 25yr old guy can relate to all dese  comments.. i think i hav de same problem.. 3yrs back all of  sudden i waz admitted in hospital for 7 dayz with sever headaches and 104 temp fever..  doctor said it waz typhiod but de problem started 4m den.. i started havin adrenaline problems wherien i started havin too much anxiety  ,shaking and shivering,  heart beating too fast  , headaches due to stress sometimes , severe loss of weight could loose upto 4-5kgs in a single day, not able to concentrate ,  complete change in eating habits i eat a lot of sugar and chicken de only source of cure i found.   but lately i hav found a serious problem after my girlfriend just broke up with me ..which gave me a lot of stress and all of a sudden a new problem started wheirein i get automatic sleep erections everyday unable to stop dem cause dey happen in my sleep.. because of which i lost lots of weight look like a skeleton now .. and i also getin sudden stinging pains in my head and lot of sweating..  i am extremely STRESSED coz no doctor is able to find an exact problem or a remedy.. please someone HELP ME wit some good DOCTORS in BANGALORE whom i can meet and some GOOD REMEDIES .. u guyz r like my last hope.. plz reply to me by email or on dis forum ..