Exhausted -adrenal Fatigue Mind Body Connection

[Mim28]

I had been diagnosed with Anxiety years ago. Then came the Hashimoto's diagnosis years later. All was seeming to be managed well. The PTSD diagnosis came last year, but the exhaustion and feeling of only running on adrenaline had persisted for months before. I asked my doctor and was sent to an endocrinologist. Cortisol levels were a bit now but then normal, but I couldn't get my energy up. Sodium levels were low, so Increased my sodium. Then I got hit with several back to back major stressors and one that lead to the PTSD diagnosis. Rest and a strong desire and need to be healthy pushed me to take time off and get well.
So now I am back here again. I put myself back into a majorly stressfully situation, which I actually enjoyed doing but stress is stress and my mind likes to push me to do more. We had to lower my thyroid meds because my numbers were off, and I think that I was living on adrenaline and extra thyroid hormone for months. So my body fell apart this time, which in turn affects the mind: anxiety and then depression, exhaustion. I have never been more physically exhausted in my life and this causes even more anxiety and then depression. What if I don't get better? What if I can't work? What if I don't have money to pay my bills? the big bad land of what if.....

I've been reading a lot about adrenal fatigue, exhaustion, Addison's disease. Whatever you want to call it. It seems to feel like me. I don't like being this person, but I also know that my mind pushing me got me here and will keep me here longer if I don't learn to love myself and let myself heal.
Has anyone else felt this way?

 

[Iamsensative]

Wow, yes struggling everyday. I just want to wake up without exhaustion, body pain. Sitting right now, trying desperately to get in the shower to go to work. The tears are right there, will i ever be normal. What ifs circle through my head. I can't fall down again. I worked so hard to get back up. Medication pulled because if side effects. Be well.

 

[C.M]

Adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidsm may go hand in hand. Hormones are such interconnected important functions in our bodies for physical and mental health and wellbeing. When one of them such as thyroid is disturbed there may be a domino effect with adrenal and vice versa too. Doesnt take much to have them come unbalanced by a wee bit least of all a more significant impact and having to go on medications (been there done that came off them after many years and thyroid again recently slightly hypo, trusting no meds are needed-see how I go). Easy to live on adrenaline (done this too) and this takes huge toll on body and mind with exhaustion, immune system (CFIDS is a personal example) and no doubt does not help ptsd related symptoms. Short bursts of adrenaline are okay(ish) within reason it is the longer term that becomes an issue and detrimental for health and wellbeing. I have found it takes inner self discipline (and a great reminder to self as I type this) to chillax, live in the moment; easing stress, sorting out priorities, lessening overload and healthy boundaries; doing what I am able to do mentally and physically and letting others know as appropriate (easier said than done some moments yet with gentle firm self discipline it needs to be done).

 

[PTSDfree]

Are you taking Synthroid (aka levothyroxine) by any chance? I feel like crap when I'm on anything other than Nature-Throid, even if my TSH is lower end of normal.

I thought I had adrenal issues for a long time until my doc diagnosed my fertility issues (very important even if you aren't trying to conceive), low vitamin D, and high iron. I also get super moody and start crying all the time without Omega 3's. Oh, and as for doctors... Mine was diagnosed and is currently treated by a DO. Most endocrinologists that I've seen don't know shit about things other than diabetes. In fact, I saw one awhile back for my fertility issues and she tried to charge $9000 just for an appointment and a couple different labs that I had done before. My insurance brought it down to $200, but seriously what an asshole. :laugh:

 

[Mim28]

Are you taking Synthroid (aka levothyroxine) by any chance? I feel like crap when I'm on anyt...

Yes, I am on Synthroid. I have many friends who have switched to Armour. Also, no one has ever checked my t3 and cortisol was only checked in the morning. It was low but nothing was done about it. I received a referral to a holistic MD and I am going next week. My gut tells me there is an imbalance somewhere.

 

[PTSDfree]

Yes, I am on Synthroid. I have many friends who have switched to Armour. Also, no one has ever checked...

Ah ok. My doc told me that there's often shortages of Armour (at least in my area's pharmacies) and he isn't a fan of the T4/T3 ratio in it. :tup:

Good luck! I think you'll definitely prefer the holistic MD over others. :hug: They might lean towards the hippie side, but they participate in close to zero drug pushing compared to typical doctors. :laugh:

 

[Mim28]

Ah ok. My doc told me that there's often shortages of Armour (at least in my area's pharmacie...

Thanks. I'm just trying to find balance. I've also heard really good things about Nature-Throid and was telling a friend she should investigate it. I'll ask when I go see the doctor! thanks for your advice!

 

[PTSDfree]

Thanks. I'm just trying to find balance. I've also heard really good things about Nature-Throid and was...

You're welcome! :hug:

 

[VioletButterfly]

Hmmmmmm, we're in sister boats. I, however, have an off-the-charts cortisol level. On day 2 of testing where you take the suppressant tablets the night before and then have a blood draw, my last checked level was 6.4 (it's supposed to be below 1.9). Houston, there is one big, freaking problem! My other numbers were off accordingly-- ACTH and DHEAS whacky. So, an MRI was performed to rule out tumors on my adrenals. Nope, no tumors. This seems to be totally stress induced. There is no cure. I have to find a way to distress my entire being. Yep, good luck with that given what I have on board.

My cortisol has been high for many years due to ongoing stress, but it was back in 2014 when my doc checked my numbers that my TSH went whacko and my cholesterol also broke the frame. Wow. I have gained 30 pounds, am spaced, have increased anxiety and depression and a kind of out of it feeling (disconnected/can't concentrate), etc.... My BP also jumped from 90/60 to 138/90. Yeah, not good. It's impossible to lose weight and I'm eating next to nothing. The whole adrenal/hypo-thyroid scenario is playing out.

I tried a thyroid med, but it made me feel worse, so the doc took me off of it and we're just monitoring. I am taking a cholesterol medication to protect my arteries. Also, I've been doing research and am trying to put together a list of herbals and vitamins to help heal my body and hopefully help with my symptoms. I'm also working on my emotions and anxiety - I just seem to stay on hyper-alert and I've started to shake. It is no fun.

When I get the list pulled together, I'll put it out here. There are a good many books at the library on this subject, however, so you might want to give that a shot in the interim. There's also a thread out here about herbals and vitamins - I think it might be under the Medicines tab. Not totally sure.

It's very frustrating and scary, and uncomfortable. I hope you find something that works. Best to you. VB