Posted by KaraS on August 28, 2004, at 3:16:08
In reply to Re: Adrenal Fatigue Treatment Article - Simus » KaraS, posted by Simus on August 28, 2004, at 0:44:50
> > > The visit with the Naturopathic doctor went well. She reviewed my medical history, my meds, and all my supplements. She agreed with the adrenal fatigue based on my symptoms. And she diagnosed me as low thyroid from a previous blood test that my family doctor didn't think was abnormal. She also ordered another thyroid test panel to verify the numbers. She suspected a candida problem so I am being tested for that too. I requested a food allergy/sensitivity test just to know what to avoid to feel better.
> > >
> > I'm curious as to what your TSH level was that your previous doctor decided was ok. You said you were negative on the Hashimotos antibodies? (If not, we would have almost identical problems.)
>
> My TSH was 5.11. She said that most people feel better with a TSH around 1-2. I was never tested for Hashimoto antibodies. I just assumed I didn't have Hashimotos because my doctor didn't think my TSH was a problem.
>Your previous doctor should have his or her license revoked! The new guidelines are 3 or 3.5 for the TSH level cutoff. The old guidelines were 5. So even if he were going by the old guidelines, he should have suspected that you were heading into trouble and taken an antibody test. Is the naturopath going to get the antibody test? Not that it makes that much difference in the long run. The treatment is the same but it's still nice to know what is causing the problem. If it's Hashimotos, then I would think it's important to know that you have an autoimmune condition (which is incredibly common for women our age, by the way). I suspect that your naturopath will get you on Armour Thyroid or one of the other natural kinds (thryoid hormone derived from pigs). I wonder if you'd have trouble getting it if you're in a small city or town. Most of the mainstream doctors push the synthetics which don't have T3 in them.
There's an excellent web site on thyroid problems by Mary Shomon, a health care advocate. It's one of the about.com sites. It answers any possible question you have on the issue (assuming it's answerable).
> > Most of us probably have candida problems because of the antibiotics and lots of sugar. If so, she'll probably put you on the diet. You'll feel better and you'll lose weight. I did when I went on it a few years back.
>
> I think you are right.
>
> > I also had a food sensitivity test done then. I was really surprised at the foods I tested sensitive to: squash/zuchini/cucumber family, yogurt, strong cheeses, yeast (but not wheat) and I can't think of the rest. Wonder if the results would be the same today or if I'd have a whole different set or maybe just additional ones.
>
> Hmmm... that isn't too bad... I can give up summer squash - but I am hoping chocolate doesn't show up on my list!!! LOLThat's the spirit! So willing and able to give up summer squash! (Unfortunately chocolate is already off of your list (and mine, sigh) for the adrenal fatigue.)
> > > She liked the basic supplements I am on now. (Really good quality multi-vit, calcium/magnesium/zinc, C, quercetin, P-5-P (B6), B5, and borage oil. She wanted me to add flaxseed oil to the base supplements. She said that in the future she is going to have me add selenium and chromium too.
> >
> > How come flaxseed oil rather than fish oil? Didn't "you know who" say that the latter is better?
>
> I remember reading something at one time that said that fish oil wasn't the best option for my condition... but it was a while ago and I can't tell you for sure which condition it was referring to. I just made a little mental note about it. I think it was because of either the pyrolluria or the adrenal fatigue though...I've just recently started hearing about pyrolluria but I don't really know much about it or understand it well yet. Maybe if I don't learn about it I won't have to discover that I have it. (LOL)
> > I don't remember - do you get hypoglycemic? If not, I wonder why she wants the additional chromium.
>
> I did (do?), but I didn't talk about it with her. It could be to deter possible sugar cravings if I test positive for candida. (???)Yes, of course that's it.
> > > I told her I drink green tea, ginger tea, and ginseng tea. She told me to avoid the panax(?) ginsengs.
> >
> > Panax gingsengs are quite stimulating. Maybe that's why.
>
> Yeah, and she said that "panax is a man's herb". I assumed that she meant that it boosted testosterone.No wonder my voice has gotten lower...
(kidding of course)
>
> > > She gave me a glandular adrenal support. She is also starting me on licorice - says it is wonderful and she takes it herself. And she gave me a tincture with ashwaganda(sp?), bladderwrack, and coleus.
> >
> > I was going to ask Larry what he thought of glandulars. That'll probably make a big difference. She's also using the standard treatments we've read about in licorice and ashwaganda (I've seen it spelled that way and with an "h" at the end after the "d".) I'm thinking of adding both of those.
>
> > I've never even heard of bladderwrack (frightening name, don't you think?)
>
> Yeah. LOL It is like kelp and it supplies iodine.
>
> > or coleus. She must really know her stuff.
>
> The coleus is a new one to me too. I think it is for insomnia - not sure.
>
> > > For the insomnia she suggested taking a calcium/magnesium (without zinc) supplement in the evening. She also recommended lemon balm tea.
> >
> > Did you tell her that you're already taking a lot of magnesium?
>
> Yeah, but she suggested taking part of the daily dose in the evening.
>
> > Our book says to take them separately. I'm not sure why though.
>
> Maybe they compete to some degree...
>Last night I took 2 magnesiums (400 mg. each) at night separate from the calcium for the first time. I really do feel better today. (I took two of them because they're part magnesium oxide, the one that's not supposed to be absorbed that well.) Wonder if it's a fluke or if it's related at all.
> > Wonder if the above will be enough for you.
>
> She is definitely not out of ideas yet.
>
> > > She wanted me to start out on these changes for three weeks, and then come back in for evaluation and to review the test results. There were more things, but she tried to limit the changes to just a few. Since I have been under the weather for the past couple of days, I will probably start with only a couple of the new items tomorrow and give it a go (stomach and intestines willing).
> >
> > I'd probably start like that too and add the really new stuff in slowly so that if you're not reacting well to something, you know which one it is.
>
> Exactly.
>
> > > I sound a little self-absorbed here, huh? How have you been? How is work going?
> >
> > No you don't sound self-absorbed at all! I wanted to know exactly what she prescribed. It sounds like she's attacking the adrenal fatigue first. I wonder if she'll prescribe anything more directly for the brain fog.
>
> I am not having too much trouble with brain fog right now. But she did say that candida can cause it, and getting rid of the candida helps in brain function.
>Yeah, that's true. I ordered some stuff "Candida Cleanse" or something like that from NOW brand. I was planning on starting that and the diet at some point in the future. If I can discipline myself enough, maybe I'll do it sooner rather than later.
> > I'm doing a little better today than the last few days. Don't know why but I'm not complaining.
>
> Hey, "a little better" is at least a step in the RIGHT direction.Definitely. I think I'll also try to find a good uplifting book to lose myself in also. Something that will inspire, yet get me out of myself for a while.
> > Nothing new with work. I almost had an interview this afternoon but it got cancelled because they really liked the person they met with this morning.
>
> Sheesh. Sorry to hear that. I hope I am up to going back to work soon too.Wow, that's a big step. You haven't talked about that before. That's really encouraging. I'm not that upset about the interview. It wasn't a job I was thrilled about anyway.
> > > Gee, now that we know Hoover...Larry Hoover has a girlfriend and children, it kinda takes the wind out of the fanclub's sails, doesn't it? What do we do now???
> >
> > Yes, 2 little Larry Hoovers running around (that we know of). Kind of scary, isn't it? We can still be fans. Afterall, we're not groupies (at least I'm not!!!)
>
> Oh, c'mon Kara! You're not still jealous about the whole vacation incident, are you???
>Oh sure, rub it in, why don't you?
> > What do we do now? We pry for more details of course!
>
> HeHe That goes without saying...
>
> > I'll tell you my final program soon too. It will probably be a lot like yours. I think I'm going to put off taking a lot of the stuff to fortify my brain and concentrate on feeling better first. I think I was trying to bite off more than I could chew because of panic.
> >
> > Talk to you later,
> > Kara
>
> I will be looking forward to your plan. I hope tomorrow I will be up to diving into this new program, and I will keep you updated.Actually, the plan won't be like my other postings that went on and on and on about possible supplements. It'll be so much like yours that maybe I'll just list the differences. (I wonder how your new doctor feels about ginkgo. That's one of the few differences I can see other than that bladder-wrecking herb.) Either way, we're both going to be supporting the vitamin and herb industry!!
>
> Take care,
>
> Simus
You too,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:381614
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040815/msgs/383231.html