posted
Lisa, I don't have much to offer in the way of helping but I wanted to let you know that I have exactly the same symptons. Two doctors have told me that I'm in Adrenal Exhaustion. And, my fatigue is overwhelming along with leg and back pain, plus insomina.
Also, have you been tested for coinfections along with Lyme which might be what is keeping you in Adrenal Dysfunction.
Nutritional i.v.s, supplements, try to control stressors are some things I'm doing to build my Adrenals up to normal.
Hope you can get this turned around.
Good Luck, Gaye
Posts: 97 | From Tennessee | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Your adrenals need a rest. The only eay to do that is to take a low dose steroid like Cortef to make up for the cortisol that your adrenals are too weak to make. I think that the lyme and coinfections damage the adrenals also, because almost all lymies have this problem whether they know it or not (at least to some degree). DHEA suplementation is a good idea also. Of course all of this should be done under a Dr's guidance. He needs to determine how much you need, and monitor your results for adjustments.
Small doses of cortisol are not only safe, they are required for you to get better. They are called physiological instead of pharmacological (higher) doses because they are only taken in high enough doses to replace the cortisol that your body needs and isn't able to make.
Some Dr's might tell you that you only need to take specific supplements that will help to repair your adrenals and make them stronger, but that's like whipping a dead horse. Your adrenals NEED a rest in order to get better. I hope that you can find the right Dr to help you.
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Florinef is a steroid like Cortef is, but I'm not sure how they differ. They do give you more energy, and can wind you up if you take them toom late in the day. They are usually taken 2 or 3 x's a day. First thing in the morning, noon, and usually no later than 2 PM. Taking them too late in the afternoon can make it hard to get to sleep.
Cortef or Florinef can be bad for lyme patients if they are given in too great a quantity. They are not only safe, but needed in adrenal deficiency to replace the cortisol that your adrenals are not producing. Large doses of steroids that are given for pain management are what is to be avoided for lyme patients. I suppose that Dr's differ on this point just like they do concerning vitamin supplementation. I look at it like a thyroid problem. Should you take synthroid to help with an underactive thyroid? Darn right you should. The body is not functioning properly when the thyroid and adrenal glands are in trouble, thereby making recovery more difficult.
You should have a test done to see what your cortisol levels are to make sure that this is really your problem. Diagnos Techs has a saliva cortisol test that is good...very easy to take.
I have been up nights for the past couple of weeks researching leptin, the master hormone that controls both cortisol and insulin. I'm only posting this because even though it's been a short while that I've been experimenting I am amazed at the results.
I won't go into all the stuff here, and I'll also say that I know nothing about the prescription meds for cortisol regulation, but certain foods seem to really influence its balance in a *positive* way.
Basically by balancing leptin you balance insulin and cortisol. And also the diet is waaaaay more fun and I felt better after only one day of just changing my eating and adding some superfoods.
and check out the superfoods listed on the website and the articles...I know it seems weird that food can help but I have been so surprised that certain foods seem to help a lot.
Ali
P.S. I am not specifically doing this diet, I'm doing an amalgam of this one plus a couple other leptin ones. But I give you this website because it lists the superfoods.
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The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
AllisonP
Thanks for the website. I have book marked it as one to refer back to again and again.
I was raised to believe we are what we eat and what we eat can make us healthy or make us sick. We ate balanced meals made of whole foods and cooked from scratch. When I hit my teens, I would eat a lot of fast food, but after so many days, I would practically crawl home begging for a home cooked meal. Then I would spend an hour in the bathroom with the most awful intestinal cramps while my body eliminated all the toxic junk I had been consuming.
I really believe a healthy body can fight off disease much better than a weakened body.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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It was a 6 hour saliva test. It showed his levels are all at the low level. He is on 3 different supplement s fro this suggested by his llmd. He just staretd these so time will tell if it helps with the fatigue issues.
Posts: 488 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2004
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i had adrenal exhaustion too, so know how you feel. i tried cortef - only low dose but reacted badly to it. so go careful if you try this.
i then took adrenalaide - a natural adrenal extract (taken from bovine adrenals). it worked great & got me out the exhaustion stage. i took it full dose for 2 mths then a lower dose for 2 mths & now no longer need it. it comes in liquid form & full dose you take 6 drops 3xday under tongue.
i'll PM you the website where you can buy it from
Posts: 47 | From SP | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
re Florinef vs Cortef, there is a big difference. Florinef is a synthetic corticosteroid whereas Cortef is bio-identical cortisol. Milligram for milligram, florinef is much stronger than Cortef.
Cortef is what integrative practitioners prescribe if they are addressing a low cortisol problem. They usu. don't prescribe more than 20mg total/day. The idea with the Cortef is to support the adrenal with physiological doses.
Posts: 211 | From NC | Registered: Dec 2005
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
hey lisa.....if you're seeing an LLMD, then why do you deal with alternative LLD's? I don't quite follow this....?
Please enlighten me.... Do you not follow up on treatment with your LLMD?
thanks for the advice. i'll be following up on these suggestions w/my docs.
boomerang:
my llmd is pretty much an abx only type of treater.
i haven't had much success with this type of treatment so have seen some docs who use abx but also incororate more alternative type things into the treatment plan...supplements, homeopathy...etc.
so there you have it : )
Posts: 92 | From berkeley, ca, usa | Registered: Jan 2005
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I suffered with adrenal fatigue for 5 yrs until it disappeared 6 months ago. I took Systemic Formulas Bio Function Ga Adrental support for about 3 months. My chiro also works on my pressure points for all my glands and hormones. He's a muscle testing doc.
I did the Cortif and all the other hormones with Dr C for about 9 months and had no improvement. I always felt uneasy about all those hormones & steriods. That's just how I felt for me.
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6479 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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