Anyone here recover from Adrenal Fatigue ...and ride again?

[Jiffer]

Hi Jiffer,
Out of curiosity, how out of range were your cortisol levels? How low are they? You said you've lost weight - do you crave salt or acidic foods? Have you found that your skin is more tan than usual (including in places which don't see the sun), or that freckles and moles have darkened? Do you suffer from nausea as well as fatigue? There are many endocrinologists out there who do not believe in adrenal fatigue, regarding it as a new age attempt to sell hormone supplements, but adrenal glands certainly can fail, often as a result of an autoimmune process. Adrenal failure is more commonly known as Addison's Disease, but it is very rare. I'm just unlucky enough to have it (along with Hypothyroidism and Pernicious Anaemia - all autoimmune).

It is VERY important however that you get your thyroid hormone levels dealt to before any adrenal issues are addressed. You may find that a couple of weeks on thyroid meds will help your energy levels.

I'm waiting for my saliva hormone test results. I initially did blood tests, not realizing that was kind of pointless. I don't have insurance, so after my initial visit to the doctor, who ruled out anemia, I have been researching on my own. I have done enough research and talked with enough people familiar with all of this, including Dr. Lam, who believe I have mild hypothyroidism and moderate adrenal fatigue. My TSH levels were not in the traditional range for hypothyroidism, but Dr. Mercola and many others who practice natural medicine believe the range is not accurate and someone with anything above 1.5 would have at least mild hypothyroidism. Mine is 2.1. I did the 24 hour cortisol saliva test last week and am waiting for results right now. I'm looking for a natural doctor to see once I get my results back.

[limewave]

Here's a simple thyroid test (which I do regularly):

One way to do an evaluation of your thyroid status: go to the drug store and buy a bottle of ordinary liquid Iodine 2% (just like you’d put on a cut). Take a cotton swab or applicator and apply a patch of iodine to your skin; an area about as big as a silver dollar, on the abdomen, leg, or anywhere on the body.
Watch this area for the next 12 hours, every hour. If the brown iodine area is absorbed into your skin and disappears in less than 12 hours, it is very likely you are thyroid deficient.

[Jiffer]

Here's a simple thyroid test (which I do regularly):

One way to do an evaluation of your thyroid status: go to the drug store and buy a bottle of ordinary liquid Iodine 2% (just like you’d put on a cut). Take a cotton swab or applicator and apply a patch of iodine to your skin; an area about as big as a silver dollar, on the abdomen, leg, or anywhere on the body.
Watch this area for the next 12 hours, every hour. If the brown iodine area is absorbed into your skin and disappears in less than 12 hours, it is very likely you are thyroid deficient.

I am familiar with this. Dr. Mercola actually advocates doing this daily to get the iodine you need if you are deficient. If it does not absorb, then you know you know you have enough.

If you aren't familiar with Dr. Mercola, I highly recommend you check him out. http://www.drmercola.com/ His site is the first place I go when I have a medical question. If you click on the "newsletter" link, you can do a search and see if he's written an article (or several) on the subject. I get his newsletter emailed to me every day. He tries to keep the world apprised of medical truths the conventional world of medicine doesn't tell you or doesn't know.

I hadn't thought about where one buys iodine, so thanks for the tip.

[Crankin]

Jiffer, the woman who gave you that advice was not trying to be condescending. When you get a chronic thing that zaps your strength, no matter what it is, sometimes you have to readjust your goals. And whether you want to believe it, or not, your identity is wrapped up in cycling. I know mine is, and I don't compete! Look how upset you are that you can't do what you want to do. Most likely you will recover and find a way to race again, but you might have change your expectations for awhile, while you figure this out. What would happen if you really couldn't race again? I know how you are feeling when someone tells you to find something else to do. My rheumatologist told me to ride my bike 5 miles when I was having mysterious medical issues that no one ever figured out. I was pissed as hell, but at that point, I couldn't even do that. The truth is, while I am mostly back to where I was, I can't do what I did before, without making myself sick from over training. And I am 4 years older.
I decided a long time ago that I am never giving up cycling, but every ride can't be about speed. And when you are always around other fast riders and racers, it is hard to be kind to yourself when you are not feeling well and struggling. Before I used to think, well, they are just stronger than me. Now, I know that I am not going to be like them. Ever.
You will get it figured out, but sometimes it helps to take a step back and do some other activities while that is happening. I never would have done yoga if I hadn't been sick. Not only did it help me get better, it is a perfect complement to cycling. I'm not saying that you should do this, but you should find something you love, in addition to cycling.

[Dogmama]

My rheumatologist told me to ride my bike 5 miles when I was having mysterious medical issues that no one ever figured out. I was pissed as hell, but at that point, I couldn't even do that. .

When I was rehabbing from my cervical fusion, my physical therapist gave me the same advice. I very snottily told him it wasn't worth putting on a helmet for five miles. Then I tried to ride five miles - not realizing that the jolting from the bike would kill my neck - and this was my full suspension mtb!

I think Crankin gives some good advice. I lift weights & do yoga. When my endurance tanks - like right now - I can focus on other things. For me, it's about moving my body. AND accepting that at age 56, teaching a one hour spin class, then returning 12 hours later to teach another spin class will probably mean I need a little extra recovery. I don't teach "twinkie" classes.

BTW, "Machine weight lifting?" Use dumbbells & work on functional fitness.