Adrenals

I was kinda rambling incoherently in the last post as usual, so I wanted to try and clarify what my suspicions are about my health. I have had flank pain off and on for the past 3 years, and it was initially due to hydronephrosis from kidney stones. The 7 mm stone stuck in my right ureter caused such excruciating pain that I was terrified whenever I had that bad flank pain since having the stone removed. Every time I had a scan done, there were no visible stones, so I never figured it out. After having been diagnosed recently with very low estrogen, I researched reasons why a young woman would have low estrogen. I eventually found information on adrenal glands. I still get that flank pain about every few days, sometimes so bad I lay down. I always thought it meant I was dehydrated so I drink lots of water...but I realize now it usually occurs when I am working hard cleaning and am really fatigued.

    
Your adrenal glands sit atop each kidney, and when they are "burned out", or don't function properly, you can get that same flank pain. I didn't know all that adrenal glands were responsible for until I read up on it this week. Looking back, I was so terrified of the stones I had, I paid a lot of money to see a nutritionist and try to get a diet plan specifically to rid my body of stones. The nutritionist seemed more interested in her blood type diet, and ph balances and took out a case of little glass boxes with various ingredients...she would have me hold each one and push my arm up against hers to see which ones made me weakest...at that point I felt like a clown. She was sweet and said a nice prayer, and then hovered her hands over my back and said my adrenal glands were overworked. At that point I had already checked out mentally, and regretted wasting that money. But perhaps she was right about that.

      Your adrenal glands are responsible for regulating many things including your metabolism, blood sugar/sodium levels, cortisol/adrenaline (which affects how you cope with stress), and your hormones---and when your adrenals are overworked your immune system is significantly weaker. They even tell your kidneys how much water to retain. Most doctors only think of the extremes when it comes to adrenal gland issues, i.e. Addison's disease, but there are numerous studies proving how even minor insufficiency causes debilitating symptoms that are otherwise misdiagnosed and therefore, given the wrong treatment.

    Here are other symptoms of adrenal fatigue: (bold are ones I experience)
1. Allergies
2. Anxiety or Irritability
3. Arthritis
4. Cravings for salty and/or sweet foods
5. Depression
6. Excessive hunger
7. Extreme fatigue, exhaustion, or chronic fatigue
8. Eyes are sensitive to light
9. Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope with life’s stresses
10. Frequently experience colds, flu, or other infections
11. Insomnia
12. Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS
13. Low blood pressure upon standing--causing light-headedness
14. Low libido
15. Low stamina
16. Menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness
17. Poor concentration
18. Poor digestion
19. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
20. Reduced immune function
21. Reduced memory
22. Sensitivity to cold
23. Sleep does not refresh or revitalize you
24. Slow to recover from illness or injuries
25. Hair loss

I realize many of these are vague and can be caused by other things too. Which is why I am desperately trying to get my doc to refer me to an endocrinologist. I have called a few times this week with no response. I am frustrated that she gave me hormone cream! Prolonged use can cause cancer! And I don't think my low estrogen is the root cause of anything, but rather a symptom. Since I still get my period, I don't think it's related to my ovaries or reproductive system. My adrenal glands seem the likely culprit to me. I will need to be tested by an endocrinologist for ACTH to check them. And if I am diagnosed, start some kind of diet and change my lifestyle:

"The treatment for this condition is specific. The patient must take the correct adrenal nutrient for them every waking hour, at first. The adrenals must be "kick-started" in this way or they usually won't "wake-up" at all. The average patient will complete this hourly dosage in one week; some will take longer, and some shorter."

 If stress is overworking my adrenals, how can I get rid of stress? I am essentially a single mom when John works this much. I am trying to be healthier, and exercise, but it doesn't seem to help...and this article says strenuous exercise further weakens your adrenals..:

 Prolonged stress is one of the greatest risk factors for causing AI. Unrelenting periods of stress mean your adrenals eventually become unable to match your requirement for the 'stress' hormone cotisol. Stressful situations cause your body to adopt a 'fight or flight' response, causing your adrenal glands to pump out increased amounts of adrenaline in order to prepare your body for action, which further weakens your adrenal glands. 

So take active steps to relax - gentle exercise such as yoga has been shown to be an effective stress-buster.

However, it's important that you don't partake in any strenuous exercise, such as aerobics, as the physical strain will only tire weak adrenals and delay your recovery. In addition, avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, which tire overtaxed adrenals further. 

Following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is extremely beneficial. Too many refined carbohydrates means your pancreas has to produce excess insulin, causing your blood glucose levels to crash. This forces your adrenals into a cycle of pumping out surplus cortisol to unlock back-up stores of glucose in your liver as an emergency fuel source. Over time this causes your adrenals to become exhausted. Proteins digest slowly and release energy over many hours - this spares your adrenals from having to carry out extra work. 


Once I get a diagnosis I will definitely swallow my pride and go back to try Yoga again, do less strenuous exercise, and try a high protein low carb diet. B vitamins are also supposed to help. I assume my low vit D plays a role too. I hope that maybe fixing my problems will help the whole family...whether my stress and weak immune system is bogging down everyone else's health or not, at least I would be able to take better care of everyone and have more patience.