Adrenal Failure

[jmni]

I found some articles linking emotional distress to adrenal failure. There are many ways to induce stress in order to commit abuses. One thing that stands out to me as especially stressful is yelling, obscenities, and then pretending to be friendly, or being very creepy.

This article about menopause describes adrenal failure which sounds like exhaustion. Maybe it's an explanation for why, after experiencing some kind of abuse or depressing situation for a long period of time, I always feel exhausted and need so long to recuperate. I really feel as though my mind and body shut down.

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[falling]

My T has suggested that I may be experiencing Adrenal fatigue. I'm currently reading a book on the subject and I think that dealing with PTSD for a long period of time could cause AF for sure. But then again depression can leave you feeling exhausted also. Maybe they are all related in some way. I'm interested to know what others think of this topic. Good thread.

 

[Flyaway]

THANK YOU!!! It's so good to finally understand whats been going on! Makes perfect sense! My Doc hasn't been able to put her finger on it...

So, it's telling me I should give up chocolate!?! :nailbiting: That is a problem for me! I'm definitely willing to compromise and eat raw macaroons etc with agave syrup instead of sugar... That should be ok right?

 

[EverOnly358]

I have suffered from adrenal fatigue and the more chronic adrenal exhaustion... I could tell when it was happening, because I would make an enormous big deal out of smaller things... like doctors appointments for myself or my daughter, school meetings I had to go to, projects I needed to finish or parties we were throwing at the house. Before these events, I would have to work myself up into a total panic, like, the world is going to end if I don't do these things... and then I would be able to get through them running totally on adrenal energy (at this point, I was having lots of thyroid problems already, but the doctors weren't having any luck fixing them with prescriptions). I went through years like that, until I crashed... having little regular thyroid energy and nothing left in the adrenal tank either.

Since then, I've tried to eliminate most carbs (much easier said than done especially since I have a sweet tooth), I've taken lots of vitamins (four times daily), spent as much time as possible resting (sometimes I'm depressed... which is almost good, because it forces me to stop and rest). I've used natural progesterone creams (but sometimes worry... there is some evidence of them being cancer causing, but of course, the stuff I use (cream) is different from most trials they've done (pills, which aren't as effective, and don't work the same way)) and taken Iodine supplements. I tend to eat plenty of red meat (in smaller amounts) then would maybe be the best for a woman my age (40), but I'm iron deficit, too. I eat lots of fruits, veggies, nuts, yogurt. Lots of protein. Lots of spinach, dark greens, kale. I still eat dark chocolate a lot, because, really, what's the point of life without chocolate??? ;D Drink lots and lots and lots of water. And, over time, I have gotten better.

But, y'know, they never really tell you... I mean, you hear people say you have to take care of yourself... but no one ever says what happens if you don't take care of yourself. Well, my friends, this is what happens... first you use up and deregulate and exhaust your thyroid system, then you might switch over to using your adrenal system (like I did), then you fatigue the adrenals, and if you're like me (Irish and Polish, a.k.a. stubborn and stupid! (*joking* *joking* - love all Irish and Polish people... I love everyone, it's just a joke, okay??)) you completely exhaust your adrenal system, and then BAM! You're shit outta luck. It takes years of babying yourself, eating right, sunlight, vitamins, exercise to even get back to something approaching normal. Add in some fun mania and depression, constantly being triggered because of Complex PTSD, flashbacks, dissociation, lack of emotional support from the husband ... it's a fun life. Well... I've gotten a little crabby here, sorry. ;D I have lots of information on this if there are any particular questions. Seen lots of doctors about this, done lots of research. I'm not an expert... but I for one do believe in this stuff... many doctors will just laugh if you say you have adrenal fatigue. I don't, I take it seriously.

 

[Flyaway]

I still eat dark chocolate a lot, because, really, what's the point of life without chocolate??? ;D

LOL @D123 exactly my point!!! Here's my fave choc raw food recipe (Soooooohoho daaam good!) Link Removed I use half a cup of agave syrup instead of the maple- it's healthier. I refuse to feel guilty at all eating these!!!

And yes you're right- it's definitely something to take seriously! Poor health just makes us that much more vulnerable... And the PTSD triggers worst- in my case anyhow.

 

[redflashlight]

I have had adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism all my life.

 

[Lucycat]

Adrenal insufficiency ( Addison's) is a very real disorder. However there is huge debate about adrenal fatigue. Some websites refer to it as a myth with no scientific basis.
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[Seasounds]

Despite differing research, a person can make the recommeneded dietary and nutritional changes, for a month, and see if they notice a difference. Many of the recommendations are pretty sensible. I had fun experimenting, and found my energy and moods were evener.

 

[EverOnly358]

Yup... totally hear you. Lots of doctors just laugh if you talk to them about adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion (maybe because there isn't a prescription they can write to treat it for you, and most doctors are all about the prescriptions). But I've managed to find a couple who did believe and have their own theories... and really, it's just that not taking care of yourself can catch up with you. For the most part, the recommended course of action is harmless... eat better, eat more protein/less carbs, rest more, get moderate exercise, get more sunlight, take vitamins, reduce stress. So, hey what's wrong with that? The whole question of progesterone... yeah, the doctors all have a different theory. I've kinda left it to the way side... it didn't seem to make a big difference, and the doctors had too much of a difference of opinion. So, who can you trust?

I think it all comes down to deregulation of the body... you're not dealing with trauma, it's sticking around too long, taking up too many resources, and then your body just can't run at peak efficiency. How your body deals with this is different... ache and pains, migraines, messed up sleep schedule, exhaustion, depression, etc. There's a ton of different things that can go wrong when your entire system is out of balance and stays out of balance for years. Of course, there are conditions (Like redflashlight - sorry you have all that to deal with plus PTSD... it's just too much! I am sorry!) where the adrenals or thyroid just aren't working at all. Those are easier for doctors to test for and treat, I think. But really, I'm no expert. If you take anything away from this thread... just take care of yourself.

Now, to the important stuff... those ginger chocolate macaroons sound amazing! I have to make them. I make a lot of energy bites like those... but not with ginger! Chocolate, of course. Almonds, yup. I tend to use dates instead of any sort of sugar (honey, maple syrup, agave)... I wonder if I could tweak this recipe? Maybe add some almond extract, too. I LOVE almond extract. But, just as is, sounds delicious and I'll have to try it soon! Thanks for sharing. :D

 

[squireparty]

I bought a book at a thrift shop about adrenal exhaustion and when I read the symptoms I had most of them and I could relate to the case studies of sufferers in the book. I think that was D123 posted above is so true - things can stay out of balance for years. And I definitely feel as if I have pushed myself to the point where there is precious little reserve left in the tank.

Something that I am trying to see as positive in all of this is something my counselor said to me a couple of appointments ago. She said that it is going to take time to heal but the upside to this is, if I want to get better, I have to speak and live my truth. That struck me very deeply and I can see where that is something positive. Now to just get to that point lol.

 

[PearBlossom]

Ongoing stress and anxiety throw off the chemical reactions in your body. Excess adrenaline and cortisol not only deplete your adrenal system, but they tend to disregulate the other hormones in your body--insulin, etc. This happens to be my career and every time I'm in an educational lecture I am cringing about what my PTSD is doing to my body.

Agreed--the treatment is harmless enough. Add "sleep" to the list D123 gave (like full-on sleep, not just resting). It's huge.

As for the doctors, part of the problem is that bloodwork is reported in a way that only catches a full-blown problem instead of the precursor problems. So, many people whose bloodwork clearly reads "pre-diabetic" are missed because the lab puts them in a "normal" reference range... for diabetes. And most doctors don't really know how to scan those reports for the red flags--they rely on the lab to flag problems. I'm seeing a small but promising shift in medical practitioners through my training seminars. More of them are trying to find root causes of problems (it's a type of practice called "functional medicine") and there are more and more seminars providing them with evidence-based research on natural approaches to treatment as well as how to deal with insurance companies when providing lifestyle medicine counseling.

It's coming...