Adrenal Exhaustion questions (and an update on Kate's room)

Thank you for all the comments of support and prayers. I did get some private e-mails and questions and comments that were not published (by request). So to answer a few of the questions I have received...

How did I know who to go to/ how to find a specialist? Well, I had adrenal problems years ago right before we adopted Kate. So, I really suspected this was the issue. I looked for an MD that specialized in adrenal fatigue and hormones. They are very hard to find. I live a mile from one of the best medical centers in the world but I have to drive an hour and 20 minutes to see this doctor. I spoke with her about why a regular internal medicine doctor would not test for adrenal function etc. She told me that in medical school they barely teach about the adrenals and it is very difficult to treat. Also, only a few labs do the specific and sensitive testing she did. Most doctors do not have contracts with those labs. I want to add that she tested me for many, many things but my instincts were 100% right. I told her that I suspected it was adrenals and B-12. So, always trust yourself. You know your body.

Are you depressed too? No. I am not depressed but many people who have adrenal exhaustion are. I am definitely moody and irritable. I am sure my husband and kids could attest to that. And I am frustrated that I cannot make my body accomplish more in a day. But through the grace of God, I still find a lot of joy in my life and do not feel depressed.

The brain fog I have is scary though. I cannot recall simple things. I could not for the life of me remember one of Kate's best friends names the other day. I had to ask Kate what her name was and this is our neighbor and VERY good friend. I have been very embarrassed in conversations where I cannot recall a simple word.

Were you juicing? I have not been juicing as much as I was and I asked my doctor if I should continue to juice. She thinks I definitely should juice once a day or so but she wants me to eat a small piece of protein with my juice (or before) because I am hypoglycemic and juicing can quickly raise your blood sugar. I had fallen off the juicing wagon a bit (due to lack of energy and time---it is a lot of work to have the organic produce available and to clean the juicer). But I KNOW I feel better when I juice. I will be juicing again now but probably 2-3 a week instead of daily.

Have you tried a naturopath or NAET? It was actually a NAET doctor in Virginia who diagnosed my adrenal problems many years ago. I do believe NAET can work. I did it with the boys and myself for a few years in VA. The problem is she took a very, very slow approach and between the adoption and our move, I never finished treatment and never recovered. Then the stress of our move here, finding a house and schools and Kate's surgery and Harry's illness and other things exacerbated the issue and my cortisol levels plummeted even more. My current doctor is an MD but she is taking a natural yet aggressive approach. I will be taking natural supplements and thyroid medicine and bio-identical hormones and cortisol. My cortisol and other levels are so low, I need a more aggressive and immediate intervention than NAET.

Do you have a good source of information? You can find a list of what tests will help diagnose adrenal exhaustion and learn more about the symptoms here. Most of my information has come from the two doctors I have seen (here and in VA). I will say that the kind of exhaustion you feel is not the normal "Mom tired." It is a "looking at the sink and wanting to cry because I am too exhausted to wash a pot kind of tired." Most people who are in the stage of adrenal exhaustion I am in can only function a few hours a day. They spend most of the day in bed. I have pushed myself to function throughout the day but it has been at a great cost. Having said that, I still think it is worth a look at your cortisol and thyroid functions if you are feeling pretty tired and run down. It is far better to catch this in the early stages. I am just saying that you might have to really push your doctor for those tests. Or work to find a doctor that will run them for you.

This site , this site and this site have good information.

I know I promised photos of Kate's room but her bedskirt is backordered. It is a beautiful silk organza bedskirt from Pine Cone Hill that is fit for a princess.

I think it is such a pretty piece that I don't want to photograph the room without it. As soon as it is in, I will post photos. But here are a few little snapshots of the princess herself.....

I love that little heart shaped face and that dimple!!!!

She LOVES this Disney little Mermaid nightgown!!!! My Mom (thank you) sent it and even though it is very big (I have it pinned on the back so it stays on)...she wants to wear it around the house all day long. I actually hide it sometimes because she trips on it and refuses to take it off when we need to go out in public.