My Wake Up
Call was ...
I couldn't
wake up in the morning. And, I couldn't wait to
go back to bed.
What's Yours?
Adrenal Fatigue
Conversations
You are not alone * Join In
This is a
thread that started on Sept 20th & it is still
going strong.
I know this should be a "blog." That day
will come. Until then it will
just be a very, very long web page! Feel
free to add to the conversation
at anytime. Just email me @
Viveca@GetReadyForLove.com
Put "Adrenal Fatigue Be Gone" in
the Subject line.
When written in Chinese, the word Crisis is
composed of two characters - one represents
danger, and the other represent opportunity.
-John F. Kennedy
Dear Friends,
If you haven't been feeling very wild for awhile
this could be your "Wake Up" Call.
If it isn't you, but reminds you of a friend or
lover please pass it on.
Last week I was stunned to find out that I am
and have been suffering from Adrenal Fatigue.
First I was stunned at my denial. I have had so
many excuses for being tired
over this past year (you'll see some of them
below.)
Next I went into "why me?" depression.
Now I am so thankful that it is not something
worse!!! Thankful that I can correct it before
it gets worse. AF is not a problem
it is a wake up call - a warning that really
bad things are coming my way if I don't make
some
changes ...
Is this you?
Look down this list that I've compiled. If you
answer YES to most then please wake up
and make it an opportunity to change.
Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
*80% of American women will suffer from adrenal
fatigue.
First for women on the go,
September 26, 2005
-
Fatigue
... Fatigue ... Fatigue
(There was always a good reason - I blamed it on
the holidays; on the move, on the wedding, on
the time change, on the party, on the job, on
the weekend, on my fiancé, on ennui, on PMS,
Peri-menopause, my mother, my period, getting
old, being lazy, bad attitude ... the fact is
I have felt fatigued over most everything this
past year.)
-
Feeling Fatigue in the morning despite sufficient hours of sleep - difficult to get up in the
morning like normal - even when you are a "morning
person". YES.
-
Feeling
Fatigue in the afternoons esp between 3-5
p.m. YES.
-
Feeling
more energetic in the late afternoon and
early evening.
YES.
-
Insomnia/illregular
sleep
- fatigued at night but still waking up on
and off. Usually thinking anxious thoughts
while waking ... always something to worry
about ... YES a symphony of YES.
-
Weight gain and can't lose it, especially around the waist. Absolutely Yes.
-
Depression for not particular reason
as well as for particular reasons. YES on &
off.
-
Hair loss
Yes.
-
Acne Not much
-
Reliance
on stimulants like caffeine & cookies
* YES oh
Yes.
-
Cravings for
carbohydrates or sugars
Yes!
-
Poor immune
function
not so obvious
-
Intolerance to cold not
so much for me.
-
Hypersensitivity to light/sound/touch/odors
(I am very bothered by sound right now -
even the car radio which I used to enjoy
annoys me.)
-
Poor Memory/Spaciness/Memory
lapses/Difficulty Concentrating
YES oh Yes.
·
Constipated Yes! And ... if you don't have a movement
at
least once a day
you are constipated!
-
Feel easily -
often overwhelmed...Yes
-
Recurrent
Candida infections
Yes
-
Increased
frequency of urination
Yes
Some of my Solutions & Sources:
1. Research on Google.
2. Taking a calcium/mg supplement before going
to bed. Advised to take a minimum of 400 mg of
Magnesium & am sleeping much better. Also
advised to add 2 TBS of flax to my diet
am doing that can’t remember why!!!
Source:
Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. Wellness Expert,
Author , Hot Times
Click Here to
listen to her interview.
3.Going to bed @ 9:00 p.m. with a relaxing book
and going to sleep between 9:30-10:00
If you have adrenal fatigue or are at risk for
developing it, you should go to bed as early as
possible and not change your bedtime. Before the
widespread use of electricity, people would go
to bed shortly after sundown and were healthier
for it. Our adrenal glands do most of their
recharging between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM. In
addition, our bodies dump toxins during this
same period. If you are awake, your adrenals
can’t recharge and toxins back up into the
liver.
Source:
Heidi Whitaker is a public speaker and co-author
with Kathy Browning of Autoimmunity: It’s Time for Truth; It’s Time to
Heal.
2. Take a Saliva Hormone test I am just now
investigating this. Will let you know.
Test takes time - you take it on something like
the 26th day from your last period.
3. Energy patch. Trying out product next week.
4. Colon Cleanse followed by a Liver/Gallbladder
Cleanse. I ordered these products from Dr.
Richard Schulze. Source:
www.herbdoc.com.
5.Cutting back on caffeine ... this is almost
the hardest of all BUT I would rather cut back
then have to give it up entirely ...
6. Meditation in the mornings even just five or
ten minutes of sitting still & relaxing.
7. Relaxing ... being more gentle with myself
... less perfectionist ... fresh flowers, Epsom
salt baths with ten drops of Lavender essence
oil, eating breakfast!, eating dinner earlier,
turning off violent and aggressive programming
(like Law & Order! sniff) tuning our of
politics, the news ...
Finally I'd like to share some very personal
input from my healer because ...
Adrenal Fatigue
like anything - is so affected by our
relationship with ourselves
and our spirit.
Viveca
- Your sleeping difficulties are emotional. The
emotion showing up is judgment. This is why you
are pulling the same angel card also. It looks
like
you are judging how your new life and
career are coming together and it is not
exactly
how your mind thinks it should be so it keeps
trying to control the
situation by trying to
think of solutions to make everything the way
mind
wants it instead of leaving it to God and
the Universe to unfold it in perfection
for you.
Please try to relax and take it easy.
So friends I hope this information is of
service. If you're feeling fatigued there's hope
- we can all be feeling Wild in time for the
holidays. If you want to stay connected with me
on this journey just send a PM and we can
compare notes as we clean up our acts!
Let’s enjoy the journey and ...
Love on! Viveca
Founder,
Get Ready For Love! Radio
P.S. If you are a health specialist with input
please add into the conversation. I am a very
motivated lay person just trying to get a bottom
line on this situation.
P.P.S. If you too are judging yourself - judge
yourself just perfect just the way you are and
take it easy!
******
Hi
Viveca,
Thank you for posting this. Adrenals are
something people don't usually think about, but
they can really affect your life and how you
feel.
While I'm not a health specialist, my mother and
her husband are both naturopathic doctors. They
recommend Licorice Root to feed the adrenal
glands and I can tell you it makes a big
difference. Be sure to get a high quality
supplement for maximum benefit.
- Cathy
******
This is a good thing to post, but I have lots of
the symptoms you list and two separate disorders
that cover them - and yes, I do actually have
them both, rather than the doc has just
'decided'.
Between bipolar disorder and polycystic ovaries,
I've probably got about 90% of your list -
including fatigue, acne, weight gain, issues
with 'processed and refined food (your
caffeine/cookie thing ;)) and hair loss.
Though it’s a great idea to try and at least
start working out what is wrong with you, I'd
advise caution. As I know what Pcos does to my
body (I have cysts that burst and then leave me
INCREDIBLY depressed. Couple that with bipolar
disorder and you work it out :)) and could
possibly leave me sterile if it goes too far,
I'm advising that anyone with those symptoms
contact their doc if they can. If they can't
don't rule out other things and obviously,
follow the suggestions you can. BUT....it might
not be Adrenal fatigue - or it could be that AND
other things. Y'never know.
- Kai
******
Thanks for sharing!
Cathy - I meant to buy Licorice Root when
I went to the health
food store last week but ... forgot! I will be
adding it in this week. yes, it has shown up
numerous places as an
excellent supplement for this problem.
Kai - I realized after I pushed the "post"
button that I had not listed "See your doctor"
as one of the action items. I thought at that
time it was odd ... then I remembered ...
I always have an annual physical. My last exam
was in May & I brought up several of
these issues
and was told they were just "perimen" symptons
and to "tough it out."
The doc also said a hormone test was a waste of
time & money.
My experience with doctors and with serious
health issues of friends has led me to often
"supplement" their advice. In fact, if a friend
had told me about this & what the doc said I
would have encouraged them to get a second
opinion! I didn't do that for myself - it's
o.k., I'm lucky to be getting to it now.
I have always been very strong & healthy but
I've gone through many difficult health problems
w/ friends & family. Aids, asthma, colon cancer,
breast cancer to name a few. I've seen miracles
happen inside and outside of conventional
medicine. I encourage everyone to "supplement"
and to not give up before they get their
miracle.
Final notes ...
Like attracts like.
My fiancé is also suffering from fatigue. Makes
sense doesn't it?! If you are experiencing these
symptoms get everyone checked out - mates,
children. Make changes together. Who wouldn't
benefit from more rest, better nutrition, the
right supplements of nutrition, spirit,
friendship ...
A Little Dab May Do.
I am already - from just a few changes - feeling
so much better. Our bodies are
incredible healers ...
So! Take care. take it easy, trust yourself,
trust your journey, have some play time, down
time, spirit
time and ...
Love on! Viveca
Founder,
Get Ready For Love Radio
******
WOW! I just learned A LOT!! And call me
ignorant, but what is Licorice Root?
Never heard of it. - Julie
******
Having worked in the health care industry I know
what Viveca is talking about when
doctors blow off your symptoms. My
recommendation is to get the best of both worlds
by finding a physician who practices "functional
medicine". They will often list this in your
provider manual. This type of physician is more
up to date on complimentary care issues
and would never say a hormone test was a waste
of money.
If you love your physician you could compliment
that with a licensed naturopath to help
with issues that may not be under traditional
western medicine. Traditional physicians have
to learn so much but they don't learn much about
complimentary care issues unless they
seek it. - Meri
******
Hello Viveca,
Adrenal fatigue is rampant in this country,
particularly since we are conditioned to go, go,
go and do, do, do. And, you are 110% correct
when you say this is a wake-up call because when
we are out-of-balance, it doesn't take long for
our health to plummet.
Something that has always stuck with me is the
quote of "I was in perfect health until I was
diagnosed with cancer." I am proud of you for
being aware that something wasn't right and
seeking the information to empower yourself.
While none of us want to be diagnosed with any
disease or disorder, once we know what we have,
we can find the answers to fix it.
One person who comes to mind to assist you would
be Marguerite Wright. She is a certified
herbologist and really knows her stuff. Tracy
Bocynck (did I spell your name right Tracy?)
offers a healing modality you might be
interested in.
You might also want to attend one of Heidi's
free teleseminars. In fact, she is hosting one
this evening. Her class is only 30 minutes long,
but it is packed with information. You can find
details and register for the class at
http://healthydivas.com/teleseminar.html.
Last, but not least, you are taking the flax for
the essential fatty acids. Heidi can tell you
more about the benefits and exactly why you
should include this in your diet.
Kudos to you for taking back control of your
health! Let us know if there's anything we can
do to assist you on your healing journey!
All the Best,
Kathy
"It's Time to Take Control of Autoimmune
Disease"
http://www.HealthyDivas.com
******
Viveca,
Adrenal Fatigue can sneak up on a person over
time. So many people learn to live with the
symptoms and schedule their lives around them.
The sad thing is that for most of us, this is a
man-made disease. We live our lives on
over-drive and are walking, sleep-deprived
zombies. We run our bodies into the ground and
give them less respect than our cars! We all
appreciate the fact that our cars need to be
refueled. Well, our bodies refuel between 11:00
PM and 1:00 AM. Our poor adrenals don't stand a
chance when we stay up late at night.
Ben Franklin said it best: "Early to bed, early
to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and
wise." Most people don't realize that going to
bed at a decent hour matters JUST AS MUCH as
getting a decent amount of sleep. What is a
decent hour? Believe it or not, if you already
have blown out your adrenals, you need to be in
bed as early as 10:00 PM. Skip the news or what
ever else you normally do at that time. Your
health, a sex life, and everything else that is
affected by adrenal fatigue is worth it!
What is a decent amount of sleep? Again, if you
have ALREADY run your adrenal gland into the
ground, you may need nine hours of sleep per
night.
Heidi
"Autoimmunity: It's Time for Truth; It is Time
to Heal." is available at
http://www.healthydivas.com
P.S. You may also want to supplement to provide
support to your adrenal gland.
******
"Like Attracts Like"
Thank you ladies! You are quite a team!
I am doing what I am told by the experts
(including you) and I am already starting to
feel better i.e. less fatigue and better overall
energy.
Wanted to add a note to this - I'll call it
"Like Attracts Like."
I've also uncovered the fact that my fiancé is
suffering from the same thing! You are so right
Heidi saying that it "sneaks up over time."
We've shared the same excuses for feeling tired,
the move, the new job, the wedding, the this,
the that.
I had a talk with him yesterday - shared my
findings & action plan. It really cheered him
up. Now we are on the same page about working on
this together.
This morning we had to get up too early but had
that bowl of oatmeal - we will be in bed @ 9:00
tonight - this weekend we'll plan some "low
stress" fun - gonna hit some golf balls at the
range.
One of my solutions (and his) to the fatigue
(and weight gain - we're trying to look bride &
groom hot!) has been to drive ourselves
physically. A couple weeks ago I eased back bcs
intuitively I could tell it wasn't the right
thing to do. He goes to the gym and just pounds
himself ...
Do you have a comment on how to be about
"exercise & fitness" while repairing from
Adrenal Fatigue?
Thanks & Love on!
Viveca,
Founder, Get Ready For Love! Radio
******
Greetings Viveca,
Glad to hear you are already feeling better and
I have all the confidence in the world that you
and Michael will be "bride and groom hot", LOL.
As far as exercise is concerned, never
underestimate the power of a 30 minute walk.
Your
body needs time to detox and that cannot be
achieved by power lifting at the gym. Strenuous
exercise during adrenal fatigue only exacerbates
the problem because your body excretes lactic
acid. That's why it is so important to drink
filtered water after a good workout, as you need
to flush the toxins from the body.
I personally would recommend a good, brisk
30-minute walk each day.
Happy Trails :o) -
Kathy
******
Hello ladies.
I was in such adrenal fatigue that by the time I
figured it out, I was almost to the point of
adrenal crisis. Last summer I spend most of the
time sleeping. I would spend 16 hours or more
per day asleep. Even when I slept a long time,
if I got into the car and drove for more than
ten minutes, I'd be falling asleep at the wheel.
This adrenal problem did not come on because I
drank a lot of caffeine, or ran myself into the
ground. It was because I trusted my health to
the allopathic physicians who put me on
prednisone. I was on it off and on for about six
years. (mostly on) That was a big reason for my
problem.
However, I am now getting much better, and
learning more every day as I work toward my
Bachelor's degree in natural health. One thing
that no one mentioned is the danger of sugar in
our diets. Sugar is an extremely bad thing for
the adrenal glands as well as just about every
other part of our bodies. Sugar is a stimulant,
and it will cause these problems, as well as
diabetes, etc... Look at the labels on your
food. It’s either sugar, corn syrup, high
fructose
corn syrup, honey, etc... It's all
sugar!! And don't think that spenda etc is any
better. It's not.
Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in there! :)
Love and Light~ Renee S.
******
Hey Kathy, wouldn't yoga help her too?
just adding my .01 worth (if that much) cuz i'm
still trying to get caught up here myself!!!
Peace~ Tara :)
******
Hi Viveca.
I haven't read the Reponses yet so this may be a
repeat. When I was in my
late 20's I was
diagnosed with "adrenal fatigue" by a natural
path doctor and
what I had to do to bring things
in balance was to stop caffeine as you
mentioned,
but also I was given small
dissolvable tabs of B-12 and needed to take a
teaspoon
of apple cider vinegar before meals. It
really worked quickly for me. So quick in
fact I
was able to go back off track with all my usual
vices within a couple months, although suffered
years later for my vices.
- Viviana
******
I have been a health nut all my adult life
and have never been sick, but at this stage
of life transition, I felt it was time to
get a complete check up at the last birthday
(last December). Everything showed up
"spectacular" on the lab work.
I am phenomenally healthy and look 20 years
younger. Then why do I get tired with weird
sleep patterns?. Well, a lot can be
attributed to hormone changes - I am well
past menopause and don't want to take HRT
(hormone replacement therapy). I have been
lifting weights for 20 years and eat a
natural foods diet so I am not concerned
about heart and bone health. But I feel like
a spark plug is missing :-)
I admit it may very well have to do with my
sleep patterns
(Heidi and I have discussed
this).
I have been doing a bit of research for the
past year.
I kept hearing the name of a particular
doctor in Los Angeles over and over this
past year, all from different sources - Dr.
Hans Gruenn. (http://www.drgruenn.com/index.asp?page=gruennHome)
Women rave about him. He is a medical doctor
originally trained in Europe but also
practices alternative medicine at his
longevity center. I went to see him and he
had me repeat a couple of the blood tests. I
have the follow up appointment in about a
week. They were right - he's a wonderful
doctor and very up to date with the latest
alternative treatments. He mentioned adrenal
fatigue and we'll discuss this at our
appointment.
But I also want to mention this. My
gynecologist, also an outstanding and caring
doctor whom I have known for probably 15
years, has another diagnosis for women with
many of these same symptoms. I have also
researched a lot in this area: the thyroid.
Even though my thryroid tests are normal,
there is a wide range of opinion as to what
is "normal" to different doctors. But doctor
Norris says he does not go by the tests, he
goes by the woman and the symptoms. And many
of the symptoms that Viveca is sharing can
also be the symptoms of a slightly
underactive thyroid which is a common
occurrence as women get older. Often just
adding a bit (low dose) of thyroid
supplementation can completely change
everything. He recommends that I try this
for a month and see how I feel. I trust him
and think it is worth a try.
I don't know if I am experiencing adrenal
fatigue - some of Viveca's symptoms relate
to me, but not all, but I am definitely
going to explore this. I have always been a
night person. Going to bed early seems
highly unlikely. But if a person functions
later in the day, I don't see how that would
matter - their circadian rhythm is just on a
later schedule than most. Daylight affects
the production of melatonin in our bodies
and affects our sleep patterns, but there
are plenty of night people who don't have
issues with fatigue.
My opinion is that we have to be very
careful in diagnosing ourselves and use due
diligence, do our research, and experiment
if it is not harmful. Be cautious in adding
herbs, DHEA, hormones, and even "natural"
treatments - as Heidi, states, even Licorice
Root can be dangerous. You must get to know
your body and it's best to find that
open-minded knowledgeable doctor to guide
you.
One other thing...Viveca. Many of your
symptoms could have been caused by caffeine
and carb addiction. Your post suggests that
you are addicted. Caffeine is a drug and can
play much havoc on the system, especially
with the hormonal changes that women go
through. Just by eliminating caffeine and
refined carbohydrates from your diet, you
will be on your way to major benefits and
changes and nourishing the adrenals.
Thank you for bring this to our attention. I
refuse to think that just because our
estrogen is down, our energy needs to be
also (I know most of you on this board are
younger than I am, but still, all women
should be aware as they approach menopause).
-
Marilyn
******
Thank each of you for your comments and
information on this subject,
I luckily don't
think
I am effected, but I do have a friend who lives
with this daily
and I have been forwarding her
your comments and stories..
she is eager to get her hands on any and
everything... if anyone has any good
reading
material for her could you please email me or IM
me privately at
Thanks again. -Lynn
******
Lynn
- it is so cool that you don't have this problem
but you're checking in to support your friend.
You are that helping word - keep it going
...
Marilyn - yes, my name is Viveca and I am a
coffaholic - not making fun of 12 step programs
which are, in fact, something to put in the
solution column. For some reason M I am not
willing to give this up. I am waiting to be
willing to let go - if that makes sense.
Your helping word did inspire me to make
an appointment to have tests done I went for a
walk - thought about what you said - marched
back in that door and dialed.
This morning I wanted to share some thoughts
from one of my bibles on health,
Heal Your Body by Louise Hay. Louise talks about mental causes for
physical illness and the metaphysical way to
overcome them.
Adrenal Problems:
Defeatism. No longer caring for the self.
Anxiety.
New thought:
I Love and approve
of myself. It is safe for me to care for
myself.
Fatigue:
Resistance, boredom. Lack of love for what
one does.
New thought:
I am enthusiastic
about life and filled with energy and
enthusiasm.
Thyroid:
Humiliation. I never get to do what I want
to do. When is it going to be my turn.
New thought:
I move beyond old
limitations and now allow myself to express
freely and creatively.
One pattern emerging
from all of our conversations here is that there
are many possible causes and solutions. Isn't
that fun!
I must also say that I am grateful to my
fatigue. Because of it I finally read the book
There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.
I started meditating & eating better. I feel
like I've learned to really live in the present
- be more accepting of myself. I am very
conscious of my energy now - of what gives me
energy and what doesn't.
This morning I chatted w/ my neighbor and showed
her photos I've been taking of her beautiful
garden. We had a great moment together & I came
away energized.
Final thought for now! My friend Peeps always
says Don't give up before you get your
miracle. If you're down don't give up. Don't
struggle. Relax, tune into life, love, friends -
allow your solution(s) to come to you. We’ll
keep this going …
Love on!
Viveca,
P.S. Here's an idea! Today notice what gives
you energy & and what takes it away. Can you
eliminate or at least cut back on the things
that take it away? Can you spend more time doing
things that give you energy?
P.P.S.
I just read that chatting with a friend right
after lunch energizes! Let's do it! Could it be
so simple ...
******
I would also add:
Your time to prosper is now, show gratitude
We are all teachers
Something to share with someone everyday!
Nita
******
NEWS
FLASH! May 25th (the day before my
birthday!)

Adrenal Fatigue Be Gone
Blog is launched! Come visit, come
share, come join in!
Note From
Viveca: Symptoms above could also be
indicative of other health problems from leaky
gut syndrome to who knows what. I was told
and I'll tell you - take your symptons and consult
with you MD or specialist immediately.
Don't stop until you feel better i.e. it
may take more than one opinion to get it right.
Do you have a success to share on
this topic?
Let's post it!
Do you have a challenge to meet?
Do you need support? Let's post it!
Don't be shy - feel free to drop me a line at
Viveca@GetReadyForLove.com
You are not alone. This too shall pass.
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