Wow, that's a very interesting story and not too much detail because it leaves me wanting to know more. I'll check out your blog. It seems that I am constantly hearing more and more about diet and long term illnesses.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed last year with food allergies (lots of them) and has since changed his diet and saw tremendous benefitis in his overall health. He found we was allergic to wheat, dairy and tomatoes. They played havoc with him in so many various ways including lots of pain.

Another friend I recently met told me that she suffered from fibromyalgia for a number of years and went on a gluten free diet and has not been symptomatic for many months now. Her quality of life has had a dramatic improvement.

Thank you for posting.

Quote Originally Posted by Jiffer View Post
I don't mind at all. I posted briefly about it in "I'm Back! (I think)".

I was first diagnosed with adrenal fatigue in March 2012, but had apparently had it for some time. I had my first adrenal "crash" in August 2011 when my period came, but thought it was anemia. I was on a 30-ish mile group ride, rode the first half pretty well, but then "bonked" after about 15 miles or so and limped home. I had a lot of fatigue and got dizzy easily when I stood and got a black out sensation (but never actually fainted). A cycling coach believed it was anemia, as did my nurse sister. I took about a month off of riding, took iron and ate iron rich foods. Then I started to feel better . . . mostly.

I did a century after that, which only worsened my adrenals, only I didn't know it. Then I rode off and on for a while, nothing too long and no hard training. In January I got serious about training again and could ride 20-30 mile rides pretty strong, but once I hit around 40, I started to have issues. I'd bonk and could hardly get home. In February I had a tough time on the Palm Springs "metric" (after mile 40) and in March opted to do the Solvang Half instead of full century. I actually road that 50 really strong (passed people all day long . . . hee hee!). And then my period came a week later and, once again, I found myself limping home from a club ride after about 10 miles in. The strong fatigue and dizziness were back and I just couldn't ride a bike worth beans.

I went to a doctor this time, who confirmed it was not anemia, but I didn't have a lot of faith that he could diagnose me. He was all over the place with all the things it could be. I learned about adrenal fatigue from a friend, and went to a nutritionist who agreed I had it. (Basically my adrenal gland was shot and was not secreting enough adrenal hormone.) I saw her for ten months, took her supplements and "tried" to stay on the diet she recommended. (It was hard to stay on when I wasn't seeing results.) I'd ride 30 minute rides at an easy pace, but eventually it seemed that even those would make my symptoms worse.

In February of this year when my symptoms worsened even more I switched to a naturopathic doctor. That's when everything changed. She confirmed adrenal fatigue, but also diagnosed me with subclinical hypothyroidism, candida (a yeast overgrowth) and . . . apparently ALL my hormones are low.

I have since learned that all four of those things are commonly related.

For the past 5 1/2 weeks I've been on a candida diet, which avoids any foods that feed the yeast. No sugar or foods that turn to sugar. Low grains (for sure no white flour or wheat), no dairy and pretty much no processed foods of any kind. I basically have to make every thing I eat and usually from scratch, because everything has something in it that I can't have. Sugar is in everything. Citric acid is in things like tomato sauce, marinara, enchilada sauce, etc. I'm not aware of any store bought salad dressings I can have. I could go on, but I'm already telling you way more detail than you probably expected (that's just my way!).

My doctor believes if I can get rid of the yeast, it will help balance all my other hormones, including thyroid and adrenals. I was skeptical at how soon I'd see improvement, but at 3 1/2 weeks into the diet (and a million supplements), I actually started to experience less fatigue. My blackout sensation is still there, but less intense and less often. I can ride my bike and not feel like it's worsening my symptoms.

YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have post nasal drip, which my doctor says is fungal and should be cured with my diet and supplements. I haven't noticed any change in that yet, but since I have had the post nasal drip for at least 15 years, that means I've had candida for 15 years and the longer you've had it, the longer it takes to get rid of the little buggers. So I'll probably be on this diet for some time before I'm completely well, and even then I'll probably always have to be careful.

I've been blogging about my health journey, cycling, recipes, etc. at jennifersuchey.com if you're curious. I have a post on what candida is, symptoms, etc.

So that's my story.