Adrenal Fatigue?

[BigMommaOf4]

Think I may have this. Have suffered from lightheadedness (constant) and foggy headedness for 5 years now . Also get continuous panicky feelings, carb cravings and am tired all the time (9 week baby's night wakings not helping that ).

I have been under stress for oohh, as long as I can remember! and can't handle it anymore obviously. GP prescibed Prozac for anxiety which made it worse although it did motivate me to start baking for a while!!

From what I have read about Adrenal Fatigue, it all adds up. I am going to my GP next week to see what he says but it seems some GPs will not recognise this as real, so will probably be told it's all in my head again [anger].

Anyone had this and if so, did the supplements with the glandulars work for you (before I order some)?

I read about this in US Vogue a few months ago so have been taking ginseng in an entirely half-arsed self medicating type of way. My nerves are shot to pieces so am trying to get the balance back.

I doubt a GP would recognise it though.

I think that there is a lot in the adrenal fatigue thing - and it is probably the basis or at least a trigger in some if not most cases of M.E. There is quite a good book about it - a bit american but good - called Adrenal Fatigue by Dr James Wilson. I've read it a couple of times.
From memory (can't lay my hand on the book right now) there is quite a bit about the build up to it - stressful events in life (Including things not always thought of as stressful per se - such as dental treatment!) and then about treating it. It has stuff about diet - avoiding refined sugars and refined carbs, the usual stuff really, keeping your fluid intake up, obviously alcohol and caffeine are out, getting loads of rest (especially between 7 and 9 am - probably impossible for most of us mums!). A bit controversially, he goes on quite a lot about salt intake and how you actually need extra salt. Sounds weird, but I've always craved marmite and crisps when I'm tired/low energy.

Meglet I am not sure that ginseng would be a good remedy for this as it is quite stimulating, similar to caffeine.

I don't remember the supplements suggested but a few of us on the insomnia thread on here (and adrenal fatigue can cause insomnia too) have found that vitamin B supplements are helping us, and magnesium. I've definitely been better since taking high doses of vit B and multi vit every day.

Hope this is a bit helpful BigMomma, take it easy on your self with the new baby, you have the hormones to deal with too at the moment!

if you want to chat about supplements etc. I'd be interested to know what you're thinking of taking.

Take care.

BigMomma i forgot to say that I think that I suffered badly from A.F. throughout my twenties caused by constant panic attacks, which I think were triggered by stress and heavy cannabis use over my late teens/early twenties.

I remember being constantly dizzy and lightheaded as you say, it was horrible, I got investigated for inner ear problems etc. I really remember the 'foggy head' that you describe too. All I can say is that it got gradually better.

Do you ever have hot sweats in the night? That can be another symptom.

I think very gentle yoga can be fantastic if you have time! Also gentle exercise such as swimming or walking, rather than aerobics or running.

arcadia The Vogue article said that ginseng can help to re-balance energy levels (or something like that). I will try and dig it out.

Bigmommaof4, Have you seen your GP yet? Wonder how you got on.

I can recommend a great book which covers adrenal fatigue and how to treat it.
Patrick Holfords Optimum nutrition for the Mind. You can probably get a copy at your library.

Licorice is the supplement recommended for adrenal fatigue, but if that doesn't work then you can get adrenal extracts which are ment to work wonders. I guess it all depends on getting a true diagnosis which is difficult in these conditions that are not so well recognised by the usual doctors.
You can get a saliva test from some labs for about £99.
As with all of these type of conditions plenty of B vitamins and Vit C, NO caffine or alcohol, plenty of rest and some gentle exercise is what would usually be prescribed.
I have heard of a private GP who specialises in adrenal fatigue and could root around for his contact details if you are interested.

Robbie Williams has been ill with a condition caused by his hormones for the last 4 years, do we think it could be AF?

Could be Riven, when your adrenals are worn out you feel exhausted, foggy headed, dizzy on standing etc etc. It can be bought on by long term stress or a short intense bout of stress. It is not recognised much by doctors yet as I think it is difficult to diagnose and the treatment is usually rest, good diet, the usuall.