My self-diagnosis was correct: I have Adrenal Fatigue

This is going to be a short post because I'm trying to cope with extremely low levels of energy.

I had an Adrenal Fatigue crisis 2 weeks ago, then last week I had the most abysmal migraine with very unusual presentation (more about that next time).  

First off, I'm really proud that I was able to diagnose my own medical crisis and seek help before I had serious consequences.  

My blood test came back: 'Further exploration is needed for possible Addison's Disease'.  

I told you that if the doctor confirmed it, he would prescribe steroids and the last thing I'm going to do is take steroids.

My blood serum reading was way below the very lowest point on the register of what's 'normal'.  

As soon as I knew what was wrong with me (light-headed upon rising or lying down, extreme muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, blurred thinking etc) I downloaded Dr Wilson's book, then skipped to the chapter dealing with medication and found 'Adrenal Cortex Extract', then ordered a bottle by Thorne Research of these capsules from amazon.

The bottle states '3 capsules a day', I'm sticking to the dose rigidly.

On top of that, I started taking:

DMAE

DHEA

L-Carnosine.

Plus LOTS of Vitamin C.

Anyone with this complaint, has to take TONS of vitamin C, the equivalent of 19 oranges a day, as per the advice of Dr Lee in his book 'What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about menopause'.  

On top of that, I'm taking Agnus Castus, Zinc and applying Natural Progesterone Cream twice a day, half a teaspoon each time (which is double the dose recommended but you need to 'find your own dose', as I've read in two books recently).  As well as a whole load of other stuff but I've especially named these medications, in case anyone is coming to this blog for the first time.

The DMAE and the DHEA didn't seem to be doing much, while I was really ill.  But now that I'm getting stronger, I can see they are having an effect.

You should note that: DHEA does not work while you're fatigued!

Now the funny thing was, that even when I was in the chronic stage, I still looked this side of normal.

During adrenal episodes, my appearance can deteriorate dramatically and that can add to the depression associated with this health crisis.  But this time that did not happen and I put this down to my taking the combination of DMAE, DHEA and L-Carnosine.  (They're all anti-ageing and boost your concentration and energy levels.)    

My eyes did not become that awful dark yellow and lifeless colour, in fact they remained bright white and shiny.  As far as my hair and skin go, they look better now than they have in about 7 years.  My hair is full and strangely glossy and my skin really looks amazing.  Zinc has done wonders, but I think DHEA has a lot to do with this improvement too.  In fact, you wouldn't know I was ill from looking at me!  This made my symptoms seem hallucinatory to my family, which was a drag, but who cares, because now its on a doctor's chart just how ill I was, so they no longer look at me funny.  

Conversely, this gradual, but definite improvement in my appearance, has given me the courage to believe in what I'm doing for my longterm health and has also restored my faith in the possibility of being well again.

Last time I had this health crisis, when I was 35, it lasted 3 months and was a living hell.  Mainly because it first presents as anaemia, which I didn't know and consequently didn't treat!

This time Thankfully, I recognised the signs of anaemia, treated it quickly with liquid iron (Floradix), and now, as I'm taking the Adrenal Cortex, I can feel an improvement already in the deeper fatigue issues, even though I'm only half way through the tub of capsules.

It no longer kills me just to stand up, and I actually have some reliable strength.  This weekend I spent the whole weekend cleaning, washing and ironing.  I had a pile of ironing that was 6 weeks deep!  That proves how long I'd been really ill, because usually I like to keep on top of the (damn) ironing.  

I started taking L-Carnosine about a week ago.  I noticed an effect after 24 hours.  I take two capsules a day (one after breakfast and the other after lunch).  Something very positive has happened inside my head since taking this substance, and I think its got something to do with all the accumulated metals that were sloshing around my brain?  

I think I mentioned before that in perimenopause, we become extremely low in ZINC, due to low progesterone and this means that Copper builds up in the brain to the levels that cause depression.  Its my personal view that L-Carnosine is cleansing me of the copper build up and consequently, my head feels a lot 'clearer'.  Either that or its helping my 5-htp to work harder?

DHEA, DMAE and L-Carnosine are all anti-Alzheimers.  Its my personal view that Alzheimer's/dementia is predominantly a nutritional disease, by that I mean, something is being missed from our diets as we age, that we badly need increasing amounts of, in order that the ageing brain stays healthy.  

Ideally I would like to post lots of relevant links but I'm going to bed now, as the hours from 10pm till 1.00am are when our bodies detox, especially our brains!

Adrenal Fatigue has led to my first ever Kidney Infection

'When it rains, it pours' as they say...

My DH was so concerned about my health he forced me to visit the GP.  I'm glad I did, because after a clinical examination, he confirmed I had a kidney infection (on top of everything else!).

I had no idea my condition had deteriorated as much as that, as I presented with no fever or burning upon passing water, just lower backache.  It was only discovered upon clinical examination.  He put me on 250mg of antibiotics and sent me for a blood test.

As I said last time, I fully understand what's happening to my body.  Its trying to cope with TWO new eventualities:

1.  Adrenal Fatigue - probably caused by excessive bleeding and poor diet.  Anaemia was the first part of it, but now its a different kind of fatigue.

2.  Ovaries Stopped Ovulating - It's my belief that if my ovaries hadn't packed-up working, my endocrine system would not have put the extra burden on my adrenals to make 40% of my sex hormones, and in turn, this would not have compromised my general kidney function.

Adrenal Fatigue & Kidney Infection - Rolled into One
Looking back, I think I've been ill for about 6 weeks or so.  It was sort of, worse, than anaemia because it made me fall backwards, which I've never experienced before!

I felt really cold and even became a little incoherent.    But the really weird thing, as compared to typical anaemia, was that mental concentration was not as difficult to achieve as was physical  concentration.  Even maintaining my posture was almost impossible during the very worst of it.  Also, I kept fretting about and things I felt unable to do.  But looking back, I think the very worst symptom was that my legs just refused to do what I said.  I would try to stand up and it was like they were not getting the message from my brain.  I now realise it was chronically low adrenaline/cortisol that caused this.  It actually felt as if my legs were like lead or concrete, made of solid matter rather, than flesh and bone?  I was totally washed out!  

I never want to experience that kind of fatigue again, if I can at all help it!! 

So I decided I needed to get wise quickly to know how to get well, in the shortest available time.  I quickly found two things that have helped me a lot.  

1.  I started taking Adrenal Cortex Extract capsules (of Bovine origin), 50mg.  I take three a day.  I'm taking them as per the advice of Dr James Wilson, in his book Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome.  His book does not specify whether you should take extract from Bovine or Porcine origin, but I note interestingly, that on his website, he sells the medication of Porcine extraction, only!  

The point of taking this medication is that it is supposed to help you recover from Adrenal Fatigue much faster than lying around resting, which is out of the question for most people.  It's recommended for moderate symptoms.  But for acute symptoms, you would need to take a much stronger composition in liquid form.

I wanted the liquid form but its not available in the UK and they wont permit shipping from the US for this product on amazon.com.    

From what I've read so far, if I visit my doctor with adrenal fatigue, he'll no doubt give me steroids - which I have NO intention to taking.  So, I'm self-medicating upon Dr Wilson's advice.    

2.  I also started taking Vitex Agnus Castus, two capsules of 400mg each, twice a day.  I'm taking this because, interestingly in contrast, it targets the pituitary gland and helps you to make more of your own progesterone as well as lowering prolactin levels.  A lot of women take this substance for fertility problems (presenting typically as low progesterone) and PMS, but also for menopausal symptoms (yippee!).  

Agnus Castus wont be a forever thing, but for the next few months, hopefully, it should help to level out progesterone levels, especially at night.  Because I'm finding that Natural Progesterone Cream is not really getting me through the night and I need to get up, pass water, then apply the cream, before I can go to sleep again.    

I've noticed two things happening while taking Vitex Agnus Castus.

a.  I perspire again!  Remember, I said I wasn't perspiring ages ago and that it worried me that I may be overheating because of this?  

Well, Agnus Castus seems to be correcting that situation.  It means I get less of those strange pulsating twinges across my head, which always remind me of a brewing migraine.  

b.  I've also noticed the reinstatement of slight panic attacks type anxiety symptoms in the afternoon.  

Its a wild guess, but I think Agnus Castus is helping me to make more testosterone again?  I need to read further into this, but always during my cycle, when I was making more testosterone, I would get quite anxious and have panic attacks.  This was very much part of PMS for me.

I'll monitor the situation regarding the increased anxiety, but I intend to persevere with Agnus Castus because I've thought for a long time that my pituitary was possibly not performing properly? even when I was really well, like 10 years ago?

So, you can see, I'm trying desperately to cope with several health issues at the same time:

1.  Adrenal Fatigue

2.  Perimenopause (last stages)

3.  Thyroid dysfunction (due to low progesterone production and low Iodine intake)

4.  Dieting (often at starvation levels)

5.  Possible pituitary dysfunction (since birth, no doubt)

6.  Oestrogen dominance (for the last 10 years)

7.  Low progesterone (definitely for more than 10 years)

8.  My first ever kidney infection

9.  Migraine (really bad last 14 months)

10.Ongoing stress (work and home)/

About the stress.  Remember I said I was suffering uncontrollable stress - mainly due to our dog's health?  Well I found out recently that the real reason I couldn't stop the stress, may have been because I was actually chronically deficient in magnesium.  

Since I read recently that 'magnesium puts the brakes on the flow of adrenaline'. 


I found that information out coincidentally, and was surprised that it was a subject that hadn't been covered in the book on Magnesium that I download a couple of months ago, called: The Magnesium Solution for Migraine Headaches
Well I suppose the emphasis of that book was really about pain relief from Magnesium.

Its a shame it wasn't covered, as the need for us all to have enough magnesium to prevent us becoming chronically stressed, is a wonderful preventative piece of advice, surely?  I wish I'd learned that when I was in my mid-thirties and going hammer and tongs at everything in my life: such as, organising charity events, bringing up children, working long hours, studying part-time, house renovations and alcohol consumption, to name a few...

Quite honestly, the life I've lived the past 15 years has really come home to roost during these perimenopausal/menopausal stages of the game.  I've had to ask myself: What kind of an old woman do you want to be?

1.  I want to remain slim
2.  I want to be fit - be able to walk 5 miles a day, if needs be
3.  I dont want to get Alzheimers - if I can supplement and avoid it, because I think it probably is a dietary disease.  
4.  I dont want Osteoporosis - my aunt had it, she died in a hundred little pieces, her deterioration was the most devastating thing to observe  - the poor thing, God rest her soul!
5.  I still want to do millions of things and have the energy for all of them
6.  I dont want my face or hair to deteriorate to the point of invisibility
7.  I want to balance my hormones and not end up an emotional wreck that buys crap from the internet to fill emotional holes.

(My GP confirmed: it is medically possible to come off HRT suddenly.  But reiterated that I should never have been prescribed it in the first place (by my private doctor), due to my history of migraine! - how comforting!!)

About DHEA
I've read that because I'm currently suffering Adrenal Fatigue, I wont be able to really notice the effects of DHEA until that's under control.   

I've Self-Diagnosed and Confirmed that I'm Suffering from Adrenal Fatigue

My migraine yesterday lasted 8-9 hours.  I had it all through the funeral I attended and it spiked twice, the second time was my cue to leave.  I felt dreadful, although the headache I would class as painful but never really reaching the point of being 'agony', the adrenal fatigue however was the most horrible part.  

I was very concerned about how I was coming across and in those circumstances, this makes me more anxious in a way, because you can end up being 'too friendly' in order to appear more normal? 

I spoke to my the widow as if we had not lost touch, which came naturally and I know would have pleased the deceased husband, had he lived.  She mentioned the will and how nothing was decided or written down.  I knew she would be anxious about that part because when I was in touch with her last, she was having difficulties with other members of the family in that regard. 

I noticed that I happened to be the only one of her 'friends' there.  I found this touching but also a positive indication as to how difficult it is to get on with this woman.  Anyway, without wishing to sound effusive, it was the saddest funeral I've ever been to, in that most of the room was full of men and they were actually sobbing all around me!  Unforgettable, because after all this was England!!!

Adrenal Fatigue is Up there with Pernicious Anaemia and I'm not sure which is worse?

The thing with anaemia is that you find it so hard to concentrate on anything, you hold your head in your hand and pant for breath.  But with this Adrenal Fatigue business, the bottom half of your body especially, is rendered practically paralysed.  I've known for a long time that I've been producing too much Cortisol but I'm only now realising how BAD that is.  

I think subconsciously I knew I was getting worse because of all the pills I kept buying.  I know I have to get better, while on-the-go, but I just don't know how long this is going to take?? My DH suggested we go on holiday.  I freaked, I said 'you have to be kidding, I couldn't pack a bag or stand around in airport lounges in this condition'??

My legs are so incredibly heavy and without energy, its like there's lead in my veins and muscles instead of blood??  I have a lot of trouble changing from doing a fast activity to doing a slow one.  I get constant 'head-rushes' and 'feeling faint'.   When I stand up I feel my legs are going to give way beneath me, but usually they just tremble.  I've also noticed my legs are very thin now??  

I think I'm more worried about my health with this complaint than with anaemia, because at least with anaemia you know its going to end.  With this, I just cannot sense from any part of my body how long this will take to improve??  

I've had a lot of stress for the past 24 months, but particularly the last 15 months.  I had a long chat with my DH last night because he saw me almost collapse twice yesterday and I could tell he was getting worried.  

We went over what's happened in our lives that's driven me to this point?   We concluded that every new problem that came along was resolved, Thankfully, but there has been an unending stream of 'unforeseen circumstances', which has given me a lot of stress.  

I'd warned everyone I was getting worse, but no one really believed me, and because I look so much better with all the supplements I've been taking.

I had to remind my DH that my migraines have been occurring twice twice a month for about 6 months and I've been very anaemic and stressed, before, during and after.  

Obviously for the two weeks a month where I'm not in pain, I've been pushing myself too hard.  On top of that the dog had been very ill, culminating in a grand mal seizure and on top of that there have been property refurbishments and exams.  The whole thing has driven me to the point of near- complete depletion.  

No wonder I've been so sad about rubbish dump donkeys, its because I have (a relatively small) insight into how exhausted they must feel!     

There are three important tests that you can do to find out if you have Adrenal Fatigue.  I've failed two and the third I've half failed, in that one of my pupils dilates much more slowly.   

Here's a link to the best article I've found on this evaluation:

Recovering from Adrenal Fatigue: How your body can overcome chronic stress and feel energised again.

and this one, which gives me a diet to follow which is basically, low in *potassium (hence I stopped the supplements), high in protein (too many skipped meals) high in Vit C supplements (but not fruit).  

Adrenal Fatigue Diet

Its really interesting to note that in these circumstances I should increase my salt intake, as I had worked out by a process of elimination that salt made me feel better.  In fact I've noticed that for about 4 months.  If I think about it, that's how long I've been really low.  

Now here's a weird thing.  I think I should have felt the adverse effects of Adrenal Fatigue a lot sooner, were it not for the fact that I was taking 5-HTP.  Because remember, my mood is fine now but my energy levels are low.  Before I took 5-HPT, if my energy levels were low, my mood would plummet, and that was invariably my cue to rest-up.  Reluctantly I have to admit that supplements may in fact turn out to be a self-perpetuating scenario??

Plus there are several really good YouTube videos that are extremely informative and comforting to watch:

I've chosen these two videos because I've just started to take DHEA - today is day 3.  

In the first video he describes the feeling of going 'further and further down in your energy levels'. 

I know exactly what he means, and I'm at the point where I have next-to-no strength left. 

I'm extremely worried about my health at this time due to my overwhelming physical weakness.   

* With Adrenal depletion, your body will not cope well with high potassium levels and for this reason I've stopped taking Potassium supplements - for the time being.

Natural Progesterone Cream applied directly to my forehead is giving me pain relief from residual migraine ache & sensitivity!

This is a very quick post that I hope to expand on, as events unfold.

Remember when I said that always after a migraine, my scalp is incredibly sensitive for days afterwards and if I apply any pressure to that region, it kills me?  Well this time that is NOT happening, since using Natural Progesterone Cream, 4 times a day, and also applying some directly to that side of my forehead.

Obviously this is not what manufacturers direct us to do, according to the printed label on the tub, and it probably sounds more than a bit zany?  

I don't care if it does or not, what I care about is that IT WORKS where other things have failed for me!

The reason I tried this is because I married-up two pieces of information I'd gleaned recently:

1.  Bio-identical (Natural) progesterone is administered in cases of severe head trauma, in order to protect the brain.  (From that I deduced that the brain 'expects' and is 'receptive' to the healing/anti-inflammatory properties of this hormone and if I am to apply the cream to my chest area, that's not that far from my head, so why not just target the head??

2.  My Oestrogen Dominance condition is actually hurting my brain, hence twice a month my head explodes with migraine pain.  It feels like my head is screaming out for an antidote to these dangerously high levels of Oestrogen that keep whirring round my system, especially my brain.  (Its the same part of my head that hurts if I eat too much chocolate, drink too much alcohol, or drink too much coffee.)  The cream manages to calm this region right down.  Paracetamol does not!

Furthermore, I've observed that it takes only about 5 minutes for the effects of the cream to reach the site of migraine injury.  A single application (1/4 teaspoon), rubbed in till it is completely absorbed, lasts about 2-3 hours.  As the day progresses, the interval between applications can be extended, as its obviously building-up in my bloodstream.  

I read recently that substances administered transdermally, enter us 10 times faster than those ingested and this is because they by-pass the liver. 

The first couple of days that I used this cream I didn't really notice anything.  It was only when I doubled the dose that I began to notice changes.  Getting the dose right is something that can only really be done on an individual basis, according to Dr Norman Shealy, in his book mentioned last time.

(From what I can tell, I must have been very Oestrogen Dominant, because this stuff is only now starting to work.)

I highly recommend the book and will discuss it further next time.

Here's a link to a really great article by a lady who is also extremely Oestrogen dominant, who discusses how she successfully uses Natural Progesterone cream to help her with PMS syndrome.  She mentions migraine sufferers in there too!

Hot Flash: Wild Yam Cream - My Story by Beth Ellyn Rosenthal

Natural Progesterone is a pain-killer, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-ageing and helps us to make DHEA which helps us to feel a lot better - and a lot younger!  

Dr Shealy advises all women over the age of 35 to apply Natural Progesterone cream, and all men over the age of 50.  (He does not recommend you to use this cream if you have cancer, however.)

BE WARNED:  Do not apply this cream if you are taking the contraceptive Pill, as it will interfere with your contraception!

Here's another great link about the role of progesterone in a neurological context:

Progesterone Receptors in the Brain by PubMed

Further Anti-Ageing Substances I'm Going to Try

I've now also ordered: 

• DHEA
• DMEA & 
• L-Carnosine

from Amazon.  (I've spent so much money with Amazon recently, they actually sent me a (whole) £10 gift voucher - lol!)

Stay Young Without HRT

People, this blog is changing.

I started it because my migraines were awful.  As I had always suffered from them, it took me aaaaages to work out that HRT was making them a lot WORSE.

Since deciding to stop taking Pregnant Horses Urine and the horrible Progestin combo, I had a think about why I took it to begin with?

Basically, my mother took it for 15 years and hardly changed during that time.

She started taking it at the tender age of 37!!

So OK, I admit it, I took it because I'm vain!  There you have it.  I didn't want to look like Humpty Dumpty and lose my curves and I didn't want to become emotional over rubbish and basically lose the plot.  

I convinced myself it had to be good.  

Turns out it was AWFUL.  I had a lot of water retention.  I still looked like Humpty Dumpty and I felt like I was perpetually premenstrual.

Basically I was conned.

Now, I'm left in a weird place where I feel (slightly) panic-stricken and alone.  

1. Will I now grow older at an accelerated rate?
2. Will I wake up with totally grey hair - as opposed to about 75 of the little critters evenly spread all over my head?
3. Will I lose my memory and grow several chins?

The answer to all of that is: NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!

So this blog is no longer going to be about headaches and all that stuff, its going to be about STAYING YOUNG and productive, and on top of my game!

I've decided to use Natural Progesterone Cream for any hot flashes that might return - they were a bore!

I've also decided to take liquorice supplements if I think I need some Oestrogen - which I doubt, as I'm still making too much.

I've also decided to improve my general wellbeing and health by taking supplements that slow down the ageing process.

Currently I'm taking:

• 5-HTP (improved my mood tremendously, even when I'm really exhausted, thanks to it being a tryptophan that helps us to make serotonin)
• Rhodiola Rosea (improved my energy and concentration, as well as mood, and helps to prevent us from destroying serotonin as quickly)
• Potassium (has enabled me to shed loads of water retention)
• Magnesium (has eradicated various aches and pains e.g. hip, knee and finger.  Turns out my nerves must have been frazzled)
• Zinc (has utterly transformed my skin and the shine of my eyes)
• Folic Acid + VitB12 (for general health and to avoid a special type of dementia related to VitB12 deficiency

As well as a whole heap of other stuff.  

After taking Rhodiola Rosea and noticing improved mental performance and concentration, I've decided to look further into the health of my brain as it ages.  

As a result, below are the next two supplements I intend to take:

• DHEA (have ordered this today)
• L-Carnosine (have ordered this today)

L-Carnosine is an interesting one, as it also helps to prevent the skin from ageing.  I've seen some dramatic images of the microscopic changes that take place in skin cells, for the better, as a result of taking this stuff.  

I'll post links to what I've gleaned thus far.

I've haven't yet posted about zinc, potassium or 5-HTP because I'm incredibly busy at the present time.

Once that's done, I intend to catch up on here.