Adrenal Info Anyone?

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I've been treating my thyroid, with help from physicians, for about 3-4 years.

I

believe I've been hypo for at least 8 years if not more -- like about 15 --

according to

symptoms that I can relate back that far. Was taking Synthroid only until June,

2003,

and then started Cytomel in addition to Synthroid. Two weeks ago I started

Armour.

Saw very little improvement on Synthroid alone. Adding Cytomel helped a lot but

the

Armour has made a huge difference in my brain symptoms. Am currently on 1.5

grains and am not due for my retest labs for another 2 weeks. Body symptoms

have

improved some but not as much as I feel they should after 9+ months and the

improvements seem so short-lived.

The endo I'm seeing now had me do a 24-hour urine for cortisol based on my

continued various symptoms. It came back at 29 (3.5-45). I talked with his

nurse

yesterday about worsening symptoms and he's sending me an order for an 8AM

Cortisol.

I just KNOW I have adrenal issues. Was actually smiling and laughing, felt

hopeful,

was sleeping better, more confidence, mind clearer, wanting to be more social,

sinuses/ears were clearer than they had been for many, many months, etc, etc,

etc,

after about 5 days on the Armour. But over the last 5 days, I've slipped back

more

and more each day. Symptoms list is LONG and seems to include almost every part

of

my body.

Over the last 2-3 months, I've noticed I'm become very sensitive to monthly

hormonal

changes. Especially at ovulation time and then again just before my period.

Have

rarely had this before, except weight gain the week before my period. Last

month the

PMS was horrible. Yesterday, at mid-cycle, I had another " mini-meltdown. " Last

night sleep was terrible and this morning, I'm tired, feeling down and wondering

if it'll

ever get any better. Am working only very part-time, maybe one or two days a

week,

due to practically zero energy on a consistent basis. After starting Armour, my

energy was such that I actually felt I could do something constructive. It's

just so

short lived! After only 2 very non-stressful days of work last week, I was so

tired.

And then I started " falling, " as indicated above. Any little bit of " stress "

seems to tear

me back down.

I will do the 8AM cortisol test when I receive the order in the mail. (My endo

is 3

hours away and is working with me via mail/phone after our initial visit 2 weeks

ago.)

But after that, I want to start taking something for adrenal support. Anyone

have any

suggestions as to what I should take, how to ease into it, where to get it and

approx.

costs? I just started a multivitamin a couple of days ago. Have not been

consistent

with them due to indigestion after taking them, but I know I need them and will

put

up with it to get better. I take it with food even. Any tips on how the

indigestion can

be alleviated with regard to the M-Vit?

Feel free to ask any questions. Advice would be appreciated!

Janet