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

[Dogmama]

It's basically a whole-foods diet. Lots of veggies and fruit. I try to eat Gluten-free, but we can't always afford gluten-free bread. And I rarely eat red meat.

That's my diet too. And I do fuel before, during & after rides & runs. Rats - I thought you were going to tell me that you eat the liver of a gnu on full moons or something...

[goldfinch]

Sorry, I have another point of view and I also have a hard time keeping my opinions to myself.

Mercola is highly criticized and was ordered by the FDA to stop making a number of unproven health claims.

http://www.quackwatch.com/11Ind/mercola.html


The Respectful Insolence and the Science Based Medicine blogs (two well respected blogs headed up by MDs) frequently call Mercola out on his psuedo-scientific nonsense, for example:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...1_influenz.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...hampoo_woo.php

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9903



As far as Dr. Lam--There’s no evidence that adrenal fatigue actually exists. The Endocrine Society's (representing 14,000 endocrinologists) public education arm has stated unequivically:

• “Adrenal fatigue” is not a real medical condition.
There are no scientific facts to support the theory
that long-term mental, emotional, or physical stress
drains the adrenal glands and causes many common
symptoms.
• Adrenal insufficiency is a real disease diagnosed
through blood tests.
• There is no test that can detect adrenal fatigue.
• Supplements and vitamins made to “treat” adrenal
fatigue may not be safe. Taking these supplements
when you don’t need them can cause your adrenal
glands to stop working and may put your life in
danger.


You can read more about it here: http://www.hormone.org/Public/upload...atigue-Web.pdf

Keep in mind that when a new or alternative form of treatment shows promise it is studied and if it is safe and effective it becomes part of science based medicine. There isn't a whole other field of medicine out here called alternative medicine. If it works and is reasonably safe, it is medicine. Calling unproven medicine "natural" or "alternative" makes it sound like it is something good for you but often all it amounts to is snake oil.

Jiffer, I am sorry that you do not have health insurance. It makes me embarrassed for our country that we can't even guaranty a basic level of medical care for our citizens.

[Jiffer]

I'm not going to get into a debate, but I wholeheartedly believe in Dr. Mercola and absolutely don't trust the FDA. I'm also not going to debate adrenal fatigue. It's real. I have it.

[limewave]

All I know is what I have been through myself with a myriad of symptoms. My GP put me on all sorts of prescriptions with all sorts of strange side-effects that didn't fix anything. In fact, I became more screwed up.

Going the supplemental route through a naturapath doctor has completely changed my life. And taking supplements for my adrenal support has eliminated my anxiety attacks.

But that's just me.

[Pip]

I was hesitant to respond to Jiffer's original email for just this reason. I have a huge issue with advocates of 'natural' medicine diagnosing adrenal fatigue without the test results to support that. Andrenal fatigue is a huge money spinner for some questionable 'natural therapists'.

I am not sure why Jeffer was told blood tests are pointless. Blood tests are the gold standard for identifying whether there are adrenal issues. A blood cortisol test (accompanied by an ACTH test), and a renin test, will identify whether the adrenals are working properly. All too often I've seen people with 'adrenal fatigue' given supplements which are little more than useless, or given corticosteroids without a proper diagnosis from a qualified endocrinologist.

And yes, I am admittedly biased. In 2004 I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, and without Hydrocortisone I would not be alive today. My adrenal glands are not 'fatigued'. They have been demonstrated to not work. However I have also spent way too much time on other related medical forums reading posts from people who are wrongly treated, or who choose to self medicate based on questionable advice.

[Dogmama]

This could get into a hot debate. I've worked with Andrew Weil & seen both sides of the medical field. I know the FDA is highly influenced by drug companies. I know that the internet has spawned some highly questionable - if not downright dangerous - medical advice. The truth is somewhere in between.

[limewave]

Just to make it clear: I was NOT diagnosed over the internet.

My doctor is a Licensed Physician. He also happens to be a certified naturapthic physician and licensed in Functional Medicine. He served as a team physician under Johan Bruyneel for several Tour de France.

I have a friend that is a chemist for a major pharmaceutical company. She is completely baffled by the supplements I take and swears there is no way they could possibly work.

But I've seen them work. I have real, tangible results that I never saw with prescription drugs.