How to Overcome fatigue - Do Your Own Research

After my doctor diagnosed me with “adrenal insufficiency” last May (he said I was at the lower end of adrenal function based on my cortisol levels), he prescribed an herbal supplement called “Adreset”. I  was glad that he had not put me on cortisol, because several of my family members who also have adrenal insufficiency have had horrible side-effects from taking cortisol.  So I enthusiastically took the “Adreset” every day, thinking it would “cure” me. I immediately felt more energy, so much so that I was able to walk a few miles one day and put on a bake sale single-handedly at church.  But even from the first day, I felt overstimulated, like I imagine a person would feel if they were on Speed. I remember  jumping two feet when the neighbor’s chihauha barked at me, as freaked out as if a giant bear was about to eat me alive!

 After a week and a half of being on Adreset, I started having horrible nightmares, terrible heart palpitations, and felt like I was crawling out of my skin. I told Pete, I have to get off this stuff, or I am going to explode! I did, and spent about three days having crazy withdrawal symptoms, which he patiently helped me through. I felt like I would die if I didn’t have more Adreset, and he had to hide it from me. I felt, if possible, more exhausted then I had before taking it!

Okay, so Adreset was not the answer to getting over this fatigue. I was really discouraged at first, but after a few days I got tired of moping and decided to at least figure out why the Adreset hadn’t worked for me.  Through some internet research, I came across an article by an M.D. who specializes in adrenal fatigue, Dr. Michael Lam, which said,

“Long term use of stimulatory nutrients can lead to withdrawal problems and addiction. Though they might have other concurrent adaptogenic properties, many adrenal supportive nutrients commonly used are intrinsically stimulatory in nature in a setting of advanced adrenal weakness. These include ginseng, licorice, ashawanda, maca, vitamin B5, and vitamin B12, just to name a few.”

  I looked on the ingredients on the Adreset bottle, and sure enough, one of the ingredients was ginseng. I reasoned that I must have been at too advanced of a stage for it to work, unlike some of my doctor’s other patients who must  not have been as far along, as they reported loving being on Adreset. I was sooo thankful to have found out this information before doing more damage to myself! And to have found out about Dr. Lam. Through his “Adrenal Fatigue Center”, http://www.drlam.com, I have found so much good information about this condition and how to manage it.  I am by no means “cured” yet, but my periods of extreme fatigue are becoming somewhat  fewer and farther between. The last time my doctor took my blood tests, this December, he said my hormonal levels are improving, which shows that something I am doing is working!

Another really good resource I’ve found, while not by a medical doctor, is a blog by someone who has Addison’s Disease, which is basically complete adrenal failure. Since she is able to have an online business through her blog, and homeschool seven children while having this condition, I figured she was worth listening to J.http://anneshealthplace.com/blog/

I plan on going into, step by step, things which I have learned from these and other sources. But this post is already turning into novel, and it is 8:30, and a good night’s sleep is essential to overcoming any kind of fatigue. So goodnight.