Somewhere in this thread there was a link to Dr Lams website to do a questionnaire on adrenal fatigue, maybe you could start with this Paula?

I have been seeing my naturopath for at least 6 yrs now and she already knew I had adrenal issues (she does iridology among other things and it showed up there as well).  She just didn't realise how bad things were until we got the results from the HTMA.  I think she kinda sat up and thought "ok, this explains some things"  

So what I am trying to say is she is seeing the big picture over quite a few years which helps a lot.

Good luck with this, if you score high on the adrenal fatigue test then I would definitely recommend looking into it further.

Quoted from Caz B

Somewhere in this thread there was a link to Dr Lams website to do a questionnaire on adrenal fatigue, maybe you could start with this Paula?

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/adrenal_fatigue.cfm#2

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/adrenal_fatigue.cfm

I did a search on how important Vit C is to adrenal repair and found this link. It is short but interesting. I learned a couple of things I didn't know.  

http://www.drmurphreestore.com/adrenalfatigue.html
(hope that's right........copy/paste is not working for me     - this is an issue on my computer not this site)

an excerpt from the above link:

The decrease in DHEA levels correlates with the general decline of cell-mediated immunity and increased incidence of cancer. DHEA protects the thymus gland, a major player in immune function.
During adrenal insufficiency, there is a deficiency of sodium and an abundance of potassium, and this imbalance causes an inhibition of the sphincter muscles of the eye. These muscles normally initiate pupil constriction in the presence of bright light. However, in adrenal fatigue, the pupils actually dilate when exposed to light.

This at least somewhat finally explains why bananas should be avoided w/ adrenal issues.

IB, that's an interesting point about the eyes.  I have noticed that my eyes aren't nearly as sensitive to bright light as they were before I started treating my adrenal fatigue.

Quoted from TJ

IB, that's an interesting point about the eyes.  I have noticed that my eyes aren't nearly as sensitive to bright light as they were before I started treating my adrenal fatigue.

yes, light sensitivity is really a tell tale sign.  

I  mentioned it before on a different thread, but I was very  happy to learn from the eye dr. last week that my pupils constrict very nicely in the light!  It was good news.

Quoted from Ribbit

I  mentioned it before on a different thread, but I was very  happy to learn from the eye dr. last week that my pupils constrict very nicely in the light!  It was good news.

Ribbit, that's great!!! nothing that boosts our spirits like knowing we're getting better.

Great news, Ribbit!  Healing the adrenals is fundamental to improving our health!!  

My hair analysisis back. His comments:

Pat,
I received your test today.  In comparison to your last sample things are better.  The results continue to show a sluggish thyroid and adrenals.  You are extremely low in potassium.  This is compromising both thyroid and adrenal.  Copper looks better.  A few quick suggestions:  Increase potassium 500 mg per day, increase magnesium 500 mg per day, avoid supplements with zinc, calcium and vitamin D for now.  Eat frequent meals/snacks.

In addition, I asked him about B5.......he recommended 50 mg. I asked if he meant 500, he said no.  I did some research on the RDA ........ 10 mg. I was shocked. He doesn't recommend high doses of this for me right now. I had been taking 500-1000 mg a day, most days.  
I looked up B5 toxicity symptoms, just in case. I'm okay there, but did find this nice chart that I thought I'd share:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=87

I am going to schedule an appt w/ him soon, so I can get some more answers. Like why the potassium. I understand I'm low and the consequences, but that goes against 'all the rules'.  I'm keeping an open mind. I have to put my trust in him because he's been really good w/ me ......... always.

Ribbit, glad to hear you're doing better.  

I read something about licorice last night re: adrenals I think. I must find that info and post.

I'm such an idiot!!!!!

Ok I'm posting this as a warning to others and a reminder to myself........

I know I have adrenal fatigue and yet I said yes to a coffee at my MIL's around 7pm or so tonight.  My reasoning was this, Hey it's only half a cup and it is our 17th wedding anniversary, why not??  WHY NOT, I say.   I know that I need 5 hours after a coffee before I can go to sleep!  

So now it's midnight, I'm sitting here because I feel sick and half my body wants to go to sleep desperately and the other half is jittery and my heart feels like it's racing and I feel totally weird - it's horrible!!!

Then I started thinking - ok, I am noticing my bodies reaction because I am tired and want to go to sleep and can't.  But it must be quite detrimental to my adrenals even if I have it during the day (not that I do very often) but I'm just not as aware of it because I'm busy.  Now I already know this but I just keep forgetting - what a dope!

So a note to self and others - stay away from the coffee, it's just not worth it!

Ok, I'm going to go back to bed and try to go to sleep - wish me luck  

So sorry, CazB.  We sometimes need these reality checks to help us remember why we try to live and eat for our health.

The more balanced our bodies become, the more we are able to notice the harmful effects of the things that we used to be blind to.

When I'm only a little tired coffee is a great thing for me.  When I'm absolutely exhausted coffee doesn't perk me up, it just makes me aggressive and angry.  I guess it's just stressing the adrenals at that point.

Huh??? Haven't you girls seen all the 'medical' reports that say coffee is good for everyone?? Haven't ya?    
If only that were true  

Quoted from italybound

Haven't you girls seen all the 'medical' reports that say coffee is good for everyone??

Yeah, it was in the same issue recommending the use of blood-letting and leeches...

Quoted from Victoria

So sorry, CazB.  We sometimes need these reality checks to help us remember why we try to live and eat for our health.

The more balanced our bodies become, the more we are able to notice the harmful effects of the things that we used to be blind to.

Thanks Victoria

This was the worst reaction to caffeine I have ever had.  I didn't get to sleep until 3am.  I won't be drinking coffee again for quite a while - I just wish I could remember to say no for the rest of my life but my memory is shocking and I realise once I'm having a reaction - Oh Yeah, not supposed to do that  

Quoted from TJ

Yeah, it was in the same issue recommending the use of blood-letting and leeches...

yeah,

Caz, I had a similar experience with coffee a while ago. I drank a cup of cappuchino around lunch time and I could not sleep at all that particular night. I even have trouble with tea sometimes (green or black) so I am trying to stay away from them.
I am using a great supplement you might be interested in. It is called "Astra 8 Immune Tonic" and it gives me lots of energy. It is by Fusion Health, the website is http://fusionhealth.com.au/ it is made in Byron Bay and health food stores tend to have it (at least here, but you can also order online).

Quoted from Ribbit

That's because Nomads don't tend to be home much. Ahem, ahem, Sir Nomad who's traveling again.

My ex was the same way..always traveling. He is a B and I'd bet my life on it that he's a Nomad, like his son. That's one of the reasons we're divorced. I understand if a guy has to travel but he was like, be gone for a month or two, come home for a week or two then leave again. He even admitting that he fell uneasy if he wasn't traveling!   I guess some Nomads travel more than others..

Quoted from Curious

Caz, I had a similar experience with coffee a while ago. I drank a cup of cappuchino around lunch time and I could not sleep at all that particular night. I even have trouble with tea sometimes (green or black) so I am trying to stay away from them.
I am using a great supplement you might be interested in. It is called "Astra 8 Immune Tonic" and it gives me lots of energy. It is by Fusion Health, the website is http://fusionhealth.com.au/ it is made in Byron Bay and health food stores tend to have it (at least here, but you can also order online).

Thanks Curious

I checked out the site, the only problem I may have it that it has Siberian ginseng and I think I recall my naturopath saying that we might avoid that for a while because my adrenals won't be able to handle even the mild stuff.  I will ask her next time I see her.

It was a rough day yesterday - I was an absolute zombie. I also was "teenage-sitting" my friends daughter and have her again tonight so I have to soldier on for now    Looking forward to catching up on some sleep soon!

Quoted from Caz B

... the only problem I may have it that it has Siberian ginseng and I think I recall my naturopath saying that we might avoid that for a while because my adrenals won't be able to handle even the mild stuff.  I will ask her next time I see her.

Caz, that is interesting. There is another supplement called "AdrenoTone" by Metagenics which my doctor gives to people with adrenal fatigue and it has 2.8 gram of Siberian ginseng in it. I personally don't like the AdrenoTone much, because it has something made from corn in it (I rang Metagenics and they told me about it).

I'd be interested to hear what your naturopath says about the Siberian ginseng.

I've been taking Siberian Ginseng for several months now, and I still have some adrenal recovery to do.  I don't think it hurts, and may actually help.

That's something I'd like to look into after Julia stops nursing.  That's one of those herbs they say you can't take while breastfeeding.  I have a lot I want to do with my system after she weans.....

Hmmmmm.....  I'm seeing my osteopath this afternoon who works with my naturopath, so I will see if my naturopath is there today so I can ask her about it.

I just checked out the Metagenics supplement called Stressan that she has me on as part of my adrenal recovery and it has Panax Ginseng in it.  So either I have it wrong and it was something else she said to leave out for now or things have changed since she first started treating me!!  (This isn't the formula she put me on in the beginning)

Maybe I can take the Astra 8 after all, I will see what I can find out and let you all know. I know that one of the ginsengs is supposed to gently support the adrenals but there is a more potent one that just gives me the shakes (I think maybe Korean)  

I am nervous about adding anything else to my supplement regime unless I check with my naturopath because I am already taking a few things and I wouldn't want them to interact the wrong way (does that make sense?)

Also what Curious has to say about the Metagenics supplement containing corn - I think I might phone them to see if it is in the Stressan.  If only there was an affordable way of getting Dr D's supplements here *sigh*

Ok, a quick update - just phoned Metagenics and the Stressan doesn't have any wheat, corn or gluten - phew!  

Caz, in LR4YT, Dr. D says Korean Ginseng isn't tolerated well by some women.