Re: isocort adrenal support

[Guest guest]

On 6/9/06 9:55 AM, " Olif " <OVanPelt@...> wrote:

> Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with IsoCort for adrenal support?

I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritability reaction to it.

Felt like my nerves were FRIED and kept snapping at people. Interested to

know how you get on with it...

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

I felt instantly better after taking it and have been taking it for over a month

now. After reading about product on the modern herbalist site, I thought it

must have been made just for me. I didn't realize how shot my adrenals must be

and what harm I have done to them by constant stress.

Lynn

" ..: )::.. " <ombass@...> wrote:

On 6/9/06 9:55 AM, " Olif " <OVanPelt@...> wrote:

> Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with IsoCort for adrenal support?

I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritability reaction to it.

Felt like my nerves were FRIED and kept snapping at people. Interested to

know how you get on with it...

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

Lynn Snell

Grand Slam USA

s, NC

lynnsnell@...

lynn1016@...

704-847-5333

www.grandslamusa.org

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/06/2006 15:10:45 GMT Daylight Time,

OVanPelt@... writes:

" I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritabilit " I am fairly certain

t

Hi

Might it be the case that you were reacting to the adrenaline in the Isocort?

You might find hydrocortisone in physiological doses i.e. 20 mg per day in

divided doses, to be less stilumating.

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/06/2006 15:24:32 GMT Daylight Time,

peacefulmeow@... writes:

I tried isocort and it made my candida grow like crazy!

Hi

Maybe all the adrenal stuff like Isocort and hydrocortisone are reall no-nos

when there is candida. It says on the patient leaflet with hydrocortisone

that it should not be taken where there is an existing infection. So that says

it all really.

I feel I have to take the h/c for a while longer as I need it until I get my

thyroid meds. optimised. I have been told that, at that point, the immune

response will normalise and see the candida off.

Also, my homeopath said not to worry about staying on a candida diet. She

did not expand and I will ask her when i see her.

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/06/2006 16:15:11 GMT Daylight Time,

OVanPelt@... writes:

" I tried isocort and it made my candida grow like crazy! "

Does anyone have a possibly explanation for this?

Hi Olif

I think I touched on this in an earlier post. It could be the costisol in

the Isocort perhaps?

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/06/2006 16:42:49 GMT Daylight Time,

OVanPelt@... writes:

Hi again

Do you think that might be why some naturopaths prescribe something like

licorice for adrenal support and not something that actually contains adrenal

cortex?

Well adrenal cortex is natural. I suppose it is just that some people are

sensitive to the adrenaline?

Also, how is hydrocortisone similar and different to IsoCort?

You would have to google on that. All I know is that IsoCort is natural

cortisol plus some other stuff and h/c is synthetic with nothing added.

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/06/2006 17:22:18 GMT Daylight Time,

OVanPelt@... writes:

Hi

I had another thought. Are hydrocortisone and drugs like prednisone the same

or very similar?

Yes. Prednisone and prednisolone are a kind of time-released sythethic

cortisone.

I know that prednisone does lower your immune system, because it supplies

yor body with cortisol. Your body then gets lazy and doesn't make it, if I am

understanding that correctly.

This where I am a bit unsure. Strictly speaking, this kind of adrenal

support - taken in physiological doses mind! - SHOULD not affect the immune

reponse. In pharmaceutical doses it definitely does. But it does not

differentiate

on the patient info leaflet and I contacted the manufacturers and asked them.

The person I spoke to did not know and said she would find out. She got back

to me and said she was unable to find any information on this. So, I am left

with this: in theory it should not in physiological doses. But I don't think

it is that cut and dried.

IsoCort claims that the levels of cortisol it supplies are small enough

where it doesn't substitute your body making it but instead triggers your body

to

make it.

Only pharma doses of cortisol/cortisone will turn off the adrenals, that is

taken in high doses over a prolonged period.

Does any of that make sense?

Yes!

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

" I felt instantly better after taking it and have been taking it for over a

month now. "

How many do you take per day?

Thanks,

Olif

[Guest guest]

" I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritability reaction to it. "

, how many per day were you taking?

Thanks,

Olif

[Guest guest]

I tried isocort and it made my candida grow like crazy!

[Guest guest]

" I tried isocort and it made my candida grow like crazy! "

Does anyone have a possibly explanation for this?

Thanks, !

-Olif

[Guest guest]

" Maybe all the adrenal stuff like Isocort and hydrocortisone are reall no-nos

when there is candida. It says on the patient leaflet with hydrocortisone

that it should not be taken where there is an existing infection. So that says

it all really. "

Do you think that might be why some naturopaths prescribe something like

licorice for adrenal support and not something that actually contains adrenal

cortex?

Also, how is hydrocortisone similar and different to IsoCort?

Thanks,

Olif

[Guest guest]

" Maybe all the adrenal stuff like Isocort and hydrocortisone are reall no-nos

when there is candida. It says on the patient leaflet with hydrocortisone

that it should not be taken where there is an existing infection. So that says

it all really. "

I had another thought. Are hydrocortisone and drugs like prednisone the same or

very similar? I know that prednisone does lower your immune system, because it

supplies yor body with cortisol. Your body then gets lazy and doesn't make it,

if I am understanding that correctly.

IsoCort claims that the levels of cortisol it supplies are small enough where it

doesn't substitute your body making it but instead triggers your body to make

it.

Does any of that make sense?

Thanks,

Olif

[Guest guest]

I take this as well, but only use it when I need it.

I notice that when I need it and take a little every day (one or two

pellets) for a week or so, that is all I need for a while. If I take

too much of it, then I do feel some anxiety, so I think it's a matter

of taking enough to balance oneself and then not overdoing it... every

other day (or every other two weeks as the case may be).

It is for sure powerful stuff.

Alison :-)

>

> > Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with IsoCort for adrenal

support?

>

> I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritability reaction

to it.

> Felt like my nerves were FRIED and kept snapping at people.

Interested to

> know how you get on with it...

>

> _jason_

> _________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

>

[Guest guest]

" All I know is that IsoCort is natural

cortisol plus some other stuff "

I am curious about the vitamin C levels in adrenal cortex. This may be an

excellent source for it. The adrenals have very high levels of vitamin C

(probably explains why vitamin C is important to immune function). I am not sure

how much of that survives the freeze drying, although I know heat will denature

vitamin C (still can't figure how jars of spaghetti sauce, etc. can claim any

vitamin C content). I wonder what other nutrients are found naturally in adrenal

tissue, perhaps some trace minerals. Hmmm...I should google and see if any

research has been done on that. If I find anything, I will let the group know.

:-)

-Olif

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/06/2006 18:29:55 GMT Daylight Time, ombass@...

writes:

But there is no way anyone is going to convince me that I need to take

hydrocortisone every day :-) Sorry! I don't want to be taking steroids every

day - I am sure there are natural alternatives?

Hi

Yes there are indeed.

There is the supplement/herbal route or even the adrenal glandulars. They

have the adrenaline also I think.

Best I think to haqve your adrenals tested with the 24-hour saliva test

before doing anything. There is, I think, an adrenal stress questionnaire in the

files section. If it is not there (my memory is poor) and you want one, pse

let me know and I will forward.

Mo

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

On 6/10/06 6:46 AM, " Olif " <OVanPelt@...> wrote:

> " I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritability reaction to it. "

>

> , how many per day were you taking?

I am not certain at this point. Whatever was recommended. It has been

several months now since I took it.

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

On 6/10/06 7:16 AM, " NOVAexeter@... " <NOVAexeter@...> wrote:

>

> " I am fairly certain that I had a big anxiety/irritabilit " I am fairly certain

> t

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi

> Might it be the case that you were reacting to the adrenaline in the Isocort?

> You might find hydrocortisone in physiological doses i.e. 20 mg per day in

> divided doses, to be less stilumating.

Adrenaline - could very well be. It felt like an adrenaline type reaction.

But there is no way anyone is going to convince me that I need to take

hydrocortisone every day :-) Sorry! I don't want to be taking steroids every

day - I am sure there are natural alternatives?

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

-----Original Message-----

From: candidiasis [mailto:candidiasis ]On

Behalf Of Olif

Hmmm...I should google and see if any research has been done on that. If I

find anything, I will let the group know. :-)

Please do, Olif, I've just started taking it (I have ME/CFS) and haven't

notice much difference yet. I've been told it's supposed to help your

adrenals rest and recuperate.

Alison

God bless

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[Guest guest]

On 6/12/06 10:35 AM, " NOVAexeter@... " <NOVAexeter@...> wrote:

> Hi

> Yes there are indeed.

> There is the supplement/herbal route or even the adrenal glandulars. They

> have the adrenaline also I think.

> Best I think to haqve your adrenals tested with the 24-hour saliva test

> before doing anything. There is, I think, an adrenal stress questionnaire in

> the

> files section. If it is not there (my memory is poor) and you want one, pse

> let me know and I will forward.

Yes please. Could you forward this on? I didn't see it in the file section.

Thanks!

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 15/06/2006 00:22:08 GMT Daylight Time, ombass@...

writes:

Yes please. Could you forward this on? I didn't see it in the file section.

ADRENAL STRESS QUESTIONNAIRE

0 = never/rarely 1 = occasionally/slightly

2 = moderate in intensity or frequency

3 = intense/severe or frequent

Predisposing Factors

I have experienced long periods of stress that have affected my well

being______________

looks like we are in for a grand adventure here!

I have had one or more severely stressful events that have affected

my well being _______________

I have driven myself to exhaustion _______________

I overwork with little play or relaxation for extended periods

_______________

I have had extended, severe or recurring respiratory infections

_______________

I have taken long-term or intense steroid therapy _______________

I tend to gain weight especially around the middle _______________

I have a history of alcoholism/drug use _______________

I have environmental sensitivities _______________

I have diabetes type II _______________

I suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome _______________

I suffer from anorexia* _______________

TOTAL:

Key Signs and Symptoms:

My ability to handle stress and pressure has decreased _______________

I am less productive in my work _______________

I seem to have decreased in cognitive ability _______________

My thinking is confused when hurried or under pressure _______________

I tend to avoid emotional situations _______________

I tend to shake or am nervous when under pressure _______________

I suffer from nervous stomach indigestion when under stress _______________

I have many unexplained fears/anxieties _______________

My sex drive is noticeably less than it used to be _______________

I get light-headed or dizzy when rising suddenly

from a sitting down or lying position _______________

I have feelings of greying out or blacking out _______________

I am chronically fatigued: a tiredness that it not

usually relieved by sleep * _______________

I feel unwell much of the time _______________

I notice that my ankles are sometimes swollen, often

worse in the evenings _______________

I have one or more other chronic illnesses or diseases

_______________

I usually need to lie down or rest after periods of psychological/

emotional pressure/stress _______________

My muscles sometimes feel weaker than they should _______________

My hands and legs get restless - experience meaningless

body movements _______________

I have become allergic/have increased frequency/severity

of allergic reactions _______________

When I scratch my skin, a white line remains for a minute or more

_______________

Small, irregular dark brown spots have appeared on my face,

forehead, neck and shoulders _______________

I sometimes feel weak all over * _______________

I have unexplained and frequent headaches _______________

I am frequently cold _______________

I have decreased tolerance for cold * _______________

I have low blood pressure* _______________

_

I often become hungry, confused, shaky

or somewhat paralysed under stress _______________

I have lost weight without reason while

feeling very tired and listless _______________

I have feelings of hopelessness and despair _______________

I have decreased tolerance. People irritate me more _______________

The lymph nodes in my neck are frequently swollen _______________

I have times of nausea and vomiting for no apparent reason *

_______________

TOTAL:

Energy Patterns:

I often have to force myself in order to keep going,

everything seems like a chore _____________

I am easily fatigued _____________

I have difficulty getting up in the morning (don't

really wake up until about 10 am) _____________

I suddenly run out of energy _____________

I usually feel much better and fully awake after the noon meal _____________

I often have an afternoon low between 3 and 5 pm _____________

I get low energy, moody or foggy if I do not eat regularly _____________

I usually feel my best after 6 pm _____________

I am often tired at 9 - 10 pm but resist going to bed _____________

I like to sleep late in the morning _____________

My best, most refreshing sleep often comes between

7 am and 9 am _____________

I often do my best work late at night (early in the morning) _____________

If I don’t go to bed by 11 pm I get a second burst of energy

around 11 pm, often lasting until 1 or 2 am _____________

TOTAL:

Frequently Observed Events:

I get coughs/colds that stay around for several weeks _____________

I have frequent or recurring bronchitis, pneumonia

or other respiratory infections _____________

I get asthma, colds and other respiratory

involvements two or more times a year _____________

I frequently get rashes, dermatitis or other skin conditions _____________

I have rheumatoid arthritis _____________

I have allergies to several things in the environment ______________

I have multiple chemical sensitivities ______________

I have chronic fatigue syndrome ______________

I get pain in the upper part of my lower back

and lower neck for no apparent reason ______________

I get pain in the muscles in the side of my neck ______________

I have insomnia or difficulty sleeping ______________

I have fibromyalgia ______________

I suffer from asthma ______________

I suffer from hay fever ______________

I suffer from nervous breakdowns ______________

My allergies are becoming worse (more severe,

more frequent or diverse) ______________

The fat pads on the palms of my hands and/or

tips of my fingers are often red ______________

I bruise more easily than I used to ______________

I have a tenderness in my back near my spine at

the bottom of my rib cage when pressed ______________

I have swelling under my eyes upon rising that

goes away after I have been up for a couple of hours

______________

I have increasing symptoms of PMS such as

cramps, bloating, moodiness, irritability, emotional

instability, headaches, tiredness, and/or

intolerance before a period (only some of these

need be present) ______________

My periods are generally heavy but they often stop,

or almost stop, on the fourth day, only to start up

profusely on the 5th or 6th day ______________

Food Patterns:

I need coffee or some other stimulant to get going

in the morning _____________

I often crave food high in fat and feel better with

high fat foods _____________

I use high fat foods to drive myself _____________

I often use high fat foods and caffeine-containing drinks

(coffee, colas, chocolate) to drive myself _____________

I often crave salt and/foods containing salt

I love salty foods _____________

I feel worse if I eat high potassium foods (like

bananas, figs) especially if I eat them in the morning _____________

I crave high protein foods (meats, cheeses) ______________

I crave sweet foods (pies, cakes, pastries, doughnuts, dried

fruits, candies or desserts) _____________

I feel worse if I miss or skip a meal _____________

TOTAL:

Aggravating Factors:

I have constant stress in my life or work ______________

My dietary habits tend to be sporadic and unplanned ______________

My relationships at work/home are unhappy ______________

I do not exercise regularly ______________

I eat lots of fruit ______________

My life contains insufficient enjoyable activities ______________

I have little control over how I spend my time ______________

I restrict my salt intake ______________

I have gum and/or tooth infections or abscesses ______________

I have meals at irregular times ______________

TOTAL:

Relieving factors:

I feel better almost right away once a stressful

situation is resolved ______________

Regular meals decrease the severity

of my symptoms ______________

I often feel better after spending a night out with friends ______________

I often feel better if I lie down ______________

Other relieving factors ______________

TOTAL:

CALCULATING THE SCORE

Note that there are no entries for the first section - Predisposing

Factors. This section is dealt with separately and is not included in the

summary

below. Therefore, your first entry into the summary boxes will be for the Key

Signs and Symptoms section.

1. Count the number of questions in each section that you answered with any

number other than zero. Enter the total in the appropriate box for each

section of the Total Number of Questions answered scoring chart below.

2. After you have finished entering the number of questions answered in each

section, sum all the numbers for each column and the total in the Grand

Total - Total Responses boxes on the bottom row of the scoring chart.

3. All the boxes in the Total Number of Questions answered chart should now

be filled.

Then go to the next part of the scoring.

Total Number of Questions Answered

Name of Section Total Responses

Key signs & symptoms

Number of questions - 31

Energy patterns

number of questions - 13

Frequently observed events

Number of questions -

20 for men 22 for women

Food patterns

Number of questions - 9

Aggravating factors

Number of questions - 10

Relieving Factors

Number of questions - 4

Grand Total - Total Responses

TOTAL POINTS:

This part of the scoring adds up the actual numbers (0, 1, 2, or 3) you put

beside the questions when you were answering the questionnaire. Add these

numbers for each section and enter them into the boxes below. Then, sum each

column to get the Total-Point-Now score. Enter this total in the bottom box to

complete this part of the scoring.

TOTAL POINTS Number:

Key signs and symptoms

total points possible – 93 _____

Energy patterns

total points possible – 39 _____

Frequently observed

Events _____

total points possible

60 for men

66 for women

Food Patterns _____

Total points possible - 27

Aggravating Factors _____

total points possible - 30

Relieving Factors _____

total points possible - 12

Grand Total - Total Points _____

TOTAL RESPONSES = Severity

Interpreting the questionnaire

The questionnaire is a valuable tool for determining if you have adrenal

fatigue and, if you do, the severity of your syndrome. Of course, the accuracy

of its interpretation depends upon you completing every section as accurately

and honestly as possible. Because there is such diversity in how individuals

experience adrenal fatigue, a wide variety of signs and symptoms have been

included. Some people have only the minimal number of symptoms, but the

symptoms they do have are severe. Others experience a great number of symptoms,

but

most of their symptoms are relatively mild. That is why there are two kinds

of scores to indicate adrenal fatigue.

Total Number of Questions Answered

This gives you a general Yes or No answer to the question, " Do I have

adrenal fatigue? " Look at your Grand Total - Total Responses scores in the

first

scoring chart (total Number of questions answered). The purpose of this score

is to see the total number of signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue you have.

There are a total of 87 questions for men and 89 for women in the

questionnaire. If you responded to more than 26 (men) or 32 (women) of the

questions,

(regardless of which severity response number you gave the question), you have

some degree of adrenal fatigue. The greater the n umber of questions that you

responded to, the greater your adrenal fatigue. If you responded

affirmatively to less than 20 questions, it is unlikely that you have adrenal

fatigue.

People who do not experience adrenal fatigue may still have a few of these

indicators in their lives, but not many of them. If your symptoms do not

include fatigue or decreased ability to handle stress, then you are probably

not

suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Total Points

The total points are used to determine the degree of severity of your

adrenal fatigue. If you ranked every question as 3 (the worst) your total

points

would be 261 for men and 267 for women. If you scored under 40, you either have

only slight adrenal fatigue or none at all. If you scored between 44-87 for

men or 45-88 for women, then overall you have mild degree of adrenal fatigue.

This does not mean that some individual symptoms are not severe, but overall

your symptom picture reflects mildly fatigued adrenals. If you scored

between 88-130 for men or 89 - 132 for women, your adrenal fatigue is moderate.

If

you scored above 130 for men and 132 for women, then consider yourself to be

suffering from severe adrenal fatigue. Now compare the total points of the

different sections with each other. this allows you to see if 1 or 2 sections

stand out as having mores signs and symptoms than the others. If you have a

predominating group of symptoms, they will be the most useful ones for you to

watch as indicators as you improve. Seeing which sections stand out will also

be helpful in developing your own recovery program.

Severity Index

The Severity Index is calculated by simply dividing the total points by the

total number of questions you answered in the affirmative. It gives an

indication of how severely you experience the signs and symptoms, with 1.0 -

1.6

being mild, 1.7 - 2.3 being moderate, and 2.4 on up being severe. This number

is especially useful for those who suffer from only a few of these signs and

symptoms, but yet are considerably debilitated by them.

Asterisk Total

Finally, add the actual numbers you put beside the questions marked with an

asterisk (*). If this total is more than 9, you are likely suffering from a

relatively severe form of adrenal fatigue. If this total is more than 12, and

you answer yes to more than 2 of the questions below, you have many of the

indications of true 's disease and should consult a physician in

addition to doing the things in this book. Be sure to read the Section:

Approaching

Your doctor, as well as other appropriate sections in this book before

consulting a physician.

Additional Symptoms

The areas on my body listed below have become bluish-black in colour

- inside of lips, mouth

- vagina

- around nipples

- I have frequent unexplained diarrhoea

- I have increased darkening around the bony areas, at folds in my skin,

scars and creases in my joints.

-I have light coloured patches on my skin where the skin has lost its usual

colour.

-I become easily dehydrated.

-I have fainting spells.

Interpretation of the Predisposing Factors Section

This section helps determine which factors led to the development of your

adrenal fatigue. There may have only been one factor or there may have been

several, but the number does not matter. One severely stressful incident can be

all it takes for someone to develop adrenal fatigue, although typically it is

more. The list is not exhaustive, but the items listed in this section are

the most common factors that lead to adrenal fatigue. Use this section to

better understand how your adrenal fatigue developed. seeing how it started

often

makes clearer what actions you can take to successfully recover from it. this

section also leads into a following section that explores in more depth how

your adrenal fatigue developed.

NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

[Guest guest]

Thanks a lot for sending this. I just ran through it and scored a 128. This

indicated " medium " level adrenal exhaustion (but " severe " starts at 130).

I guess the naturopath I am working with is right! She is fairly positive I

have adrenal exhaustion, and I am currently doing the saliva test to see how

severe it really is. Avoiding all caffiene for one day can be really rough

when you are used to even just a cup of green tea in the morning :-/

>

>

> In a message dated 15/06/2006 00:22:08 GMT Daylight Time, ombass@...

> writes:

>

> Yes please. Could you forward this on? I didn't see it in the file section.

>

>

> ADRENAL STRESS QUESTIONNAIRE

>

>

>

>

> 0 = never/rarely 1 = occasionally/slightly

> 2 = moderate in intensity or frequency

> 3 = intense/severe or frequent

> Predisposing Factors

> I have experienced long periods of stress that have affected my well

> being______________

>

> looks like we are in for a grand adventure here!

>

> I have had one or more severely stressful events that have affected

> my well being _______________

> I have driven myself to exhaustion _______________

> I overwork with little play or relaxation for extended periods

> _______________

> I have had extended, severe or recurring respiratory infections

> _______________

> I have taken long-term or intense steroid therapy _______________

> I tend to gain weight especially around the middle _______________

> I have a history of alcoholism/drug use _______________

> I have environmental sensitivities _______________

> I have diabetes type II _______________

> I suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome _______________

> I suffer from anorexia* _______________

> TOTAL:

> Key Signs and Symptoms:

> My ability to handle stress and pressure has decreased _______________

> I am less productive in my work _______________

> I seem to have decreased in cognitive ability _______________

> My thinking is confused when hurried or under pressure _______________

>

> I tend to avoid emotional situations _______________

>

> I tend to shake or am nervous when under pressure _______________

> I suffer from nervous stomach indigestion when under stress _______________

> I have many unexplained fears/anxieties _______________

> My sex drive is noticeably less than it used to be _______________

> I get light-headed or dizzy when rising suddenly

> from a sitting down or lying position _______________

> I have feelings of greying out or blacking out _______________

> I am chronically fatigued: a tiredness that it not

> usually relieved by sleep * _______________

> I feel unwell much of the time _______________

> I notice that my ankles are sometimes swollen, often

> worse in the evenings _______________

> I have one or more other chronic illnesses or diseases

> _______________

> I usually need to lie down or rest after periods of psychological/

> emotional pressure/stress _______________

> My muscles sometimes feel weaker than they should _______________

> My hands and legs get restless - experience meaningless

> body movements _______________

> I have become allergic/have increased frequency/severity

> of allergic reactions _______________

> When I scratch my skin, a white line remains for a minute or more

> _______________

> Small, irregular dark brown spots have appeared on my face,

> forehead, neck and shoulders _______________

> I sometimes feel weak all over * _______________

> I have unexplained and frequent headaches _______________

> I am frequently cold _______________

> I have decreased tolerance for cold * _______________

> I have low blood pressure* _______________

> _

> I often become hungry, confused, shaky

> or somewhat paralysed under stress _______________

> I have lost weight without reason while

> feeling very tired and listless _______________

> I have feelings of hopelessness and despair _______________

> I have decreased tolerance. People irritate me more _______________

> The lymph nodes in my neck are frequently swollen _______________

> I have times of nausea and vomiting for no apparent reason *

> _______________

>

> TOTAL:

> Energy Patterns:

> I often have to force myself in order to keep going,

> everything seems like a chore _____________

>

> I am easily fatigued _____________

>

> I have difficulty getting up in the morning (don't

> really wake up until about 10 am) _____________

> I suddenly run out of energy _____________

> I usually feel much better and fully awake after the noon meal _____________

> I often have an afternoon low between 3 and 5 pm _____________

> I get low energy, moody or foggy if I do not eat regularly _____________

> I usually feel my best after 6 pm _____________

> I am often tired at 9 - 10 pm but resist going to bed _____________

> I like to sleep late in the morning _____________

>

> My best, most refreshing sleep often comes between

> 7 am and 9 am _____________

> I often do my best work late at night (early in the morning) _____________

>

> If I don¹t go to bed by 11 pm I get a second burst of energy

> around 11 pm, often lasting until 1 or 2 am _____________

> TOTAL:

> Frequently Observed Events:

> I get coughs/colds that stay around for several weeks _____________

> I have frequent or recurring bronchitis, pneumonia

> or other respiratory infections _____________

> I get asthma, colds and other respiratory

> involvements two or more times a year _____________

> I frequently get rashes, dermatitis or other skin conditions _____________

> I have rheumatoid arthritis _____________

>

> I have allergies to several things in the environment ______________

> I have multiple chemical sensitivities ______________

> I have chronic fatigue syndrome ______________

> I get pain in the upper part of my lower back

> and lower neck for no apparent reason ______________

>

> I get pain in the muscles in the side of my neck ______________

>

> I have insomnia or difficulty sleeping ______________

> I have fibromyalgia ______________

>

> I suffer from asthma ______________

> I suffer from hay fever ______________

> I suffer from nervous breakdowns ______________

> My allergies are becoming worse (more severe,

> more frequent or diverse) ______________

> The fat pads on the palms of my hands and/or

> tips of my fingers are often red ______________

> I bruise more easily than I used to ______________

> I have a tenderness in my back near my spine at

> the bottom of my rib cage when pressed ______________

>

> I have swelling under my eyes upon rising that

> goes away after I have been up for a couple of hours

> ______________

> I have increasing symptoms of PMS such as

> cramps, bloating, moodiness, irritability, emotional

> instability, headaches, tiredness, and/or

> intolerance before a period (only some of these

> need be present) ______________

> My periods are generally heavy but they often stop,

> or almost stop, on the fourth day, only to start up

> profusely on the 5th or 6th day ______________

> Food Patterns:

> I need coffee or some other stimulant to get going

> in the morning _____________

> I often crave food high in fat and feel better with

> high fat foods _____________

> I use high fat foods to drive myself _____________

>

> I often use high fat foods and caffeine-containing drinks

> (coffee, colas, chocolate) to drive myself _____________

> I often crave salt and/foods containing salt

> I love salty foods _____________

> I feel worse if I eat high potassium foods (like

> bananas, figs) especially if I eat them in the morning _____________

> I crave high protein foods (meats, cheeses) ______________

> I crave sweet foods (pies, cakes, pastries, doughnuts, dried

> fruits, candies or desserts) _____________

> I feel worse if I miss or skip a meal _____________

> TOTAL:

> Aggravating Factors:

> I have constant stress in my life or work ______________

> My dietary habits tend to be sporadic and unplanned ______________

>

> My relationships at work/home are unhappy ______________

> I do not exercise regularly ______________

> I eat lots of fruit ______________

>

> My life contains insufficient enjoyable activities ______________

>

> I have little control over how I spend my time ______________

> I restrict my salt intake ______________

> I have gum and/or tooth infections or abscesses ______________

> I have meals at irregular times ______________

>

> TOTAL:

> Relieving factors:

> I feel better almost right away once a stressful

> situation is resolved ______________

> Regular meals decrease the severity

> of my symptoms ______________

> I often feel better after spending a night out with friends ______________

> I often feel better if I lie down ______________

> Other relieving factors ______________

> TOTAL:

>

>

> CALCULATING THE SCORE

>

>

>

>

>

> Note that there are no entries for the first section - Predisposing

> Factors. This section is dealt with separately and is not included in the

> summary

> below. Therefore, your first entry into the summary boxes will be for the Key

> Signs and Symptoms section.

> 1. Count the number of questions in each section that you answered with any

> number other than zero. Enter the total in the appropriate box for each

> section of the Total Number of Questions answered scoring chart below.

> 2. After you have finished entering the number of questions answered in each

> section, sum all the numbers for each column and the total in the Grand

> Total - Total Responses boxes on the bottom row of the scoring chart.

> 3. All the boxes in the Total Number of Questions answered chart should now

> be filled.

> Then go to the next part of the scoring.

> Total Number of Questions Answered

> Name of Section Total Responses

> Key signs & symptoms

> Number of questions - 31

> Energy patterns

> number of questions - 13

> Frequently observed events

> Number of questions -

> 20 for men 22 for women

> Food patterns

> Number of questions - 9

> Aggravating factors

> Number of questions - 10

> Relieving Factors

> Number of questions - 4

> Grand Total - Total Responses

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> TOTAL POINTS:

> This part of the scoring adds up the actual numbers (0, 1, 2, or 3) you put

> beside the questions when you were answering the questionnaire. Add these

> numbers for each section and enter them into the boxes below. Then, sum each

> column to get the Total-Point-Now score. Enter this total in the bottom box

> to

> complete this part of the scoring.

> TOTAL POINTS Number:

> Key signs and symptoms

> total points possible ­ 93 _____

> Energy patterns

> total points possible ­ 39 _____

> Frequently observed

> Events _____

> total points possible

> 60 for men

> 66 for women

> Food Patterns _____

> Total points possible - 27

> Aggravating Factors _____

> total points possible - 30

> Relieving Factors _____

> total points possible - 12

> Grand Total - Total Points _____

>

> TOTAL RESPONSES = Severity

> Interpreting the questionnaire

> The questionnaire is a valuable tool for determining if you have adrenal

> fatigue and, if you do, the severity of your syndrome. Of course, the

> accuracy

> of its interpretation depends upon you completing every section as accurately

> and honestly as possible. Because there is such diversity in how individuals

> experience adrenal fatigue, a wide variety of signs and symptoms have been

> included. Some people have only the minimal number of symptoms, but the

> symptoms they do have are severe. Others experience a great number of

> symptoms, but

> most of their symptoms are relatively mild. That is why there are two kinds

> of scores to indicate adrenal fatigue.

> Total Number of Questions Answered

> This gives you a general Yes or No answer to the question, " Do I have

> adrenal fatigue? " Look at your Grand Total - Total Responses scores in the

> first

> scoring chart (total Number of questions answered). The purpose of this score

> is to see the total number of signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue you have.

> There are a total of 87 questions for men and 89 for women in the

> questionnaire. If you responded to more than 26 (men) or 32 (women) of the

> questions,

> (regardless of which severity response number you gave the question), you

> have

> some degree of adrenal fatigue. The greater the n umber of questions that you

> responded to, the greater your adrenal fatigue. If you responded

> affirmatively to less than 20 questions, it is unlikely that you have adrenal

> fatigue.

> People who do not experience adrenal fatigue may still have a few of these

> indicators in their lives, but not many of them. If your symptoms do not

> include fatigue or decreased ability to handle stress, then you are probably

> not

> suffering from adrenal fatigue.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Total Points

> The total points are used to determine the degree of severity of your

> adrenal fatigue. If you ranked every question as 3 (the worst) your total

> points

> would be 261 for men and 267 for women. If you scored under 40, you either

> have

> only slight adrenal fatigue or none at all. If you scored between 44-87 for

> men or 45-88 for women, then overall you have mild degree of adrenal fatigue.

> This does not mean that some individual symptoms are not severe, but overall

> your symptom picture reflects mildly fatigued adrenals. If you scored

> between 88-130 for men or 89 - 132 for women, your adrenal fatigue is

> moderate. If

> you scored above 130 for men and 132 for women, then consider yourself to be

> suffering from severe adrenal fatigue. Now compare the total points of the

> different sections with each other. this allows you to see if 1 or 2 sections

> stand out as having mores signs and symptoms than the others. If you have a

> predominating group of symptoms, they will be the most useful ones for you to

> watch as indicators as you improve. Seeing which sections stand out will also

> be helpful in developing your own recovery program.

> Severity Index

> The Severity Index is calculated by simply dividing the total points by the

> total number of questions you answered in the affirmative. It gives an

> indication of how severely you experience the signs and symptoms, with 1.0 -

> 1.6

> being mild, 1.7 - 2.3 being moderate, and 2.4 on up being severe. This number

> is especially useful for those who suffer from only a few of these signs and

> symptoms, but yet are considerably debilitated by them.

> Asterisk Total

> Finally, add the actual numbers you put beside the questions marked with an

> asterisk (*). If this total is more than 9, you are likely suffering from a

> relatively severe form of adrenal fatigue. If this total is more than 12, and

> you answer yes to more than 2 of the questions below, you have many of the

> indications of true 's disease and should consult a physician in

> addition to doing the things in this book. Be sure to read the Section:

> Approaching

> Your doctor, as well as other appropriate sections in this book before

> consulting a physician.

> Additional Symptoms

> The areas on my body listed below have become bluish-black in colour

> - inside of lips, mouth

> - vagina

> - around nipples

> - I have frequent unexplained diarrhoea

> - I have increased darkening around the bony areas, at folds in my skin,

> scars and creases in my joints.

> -I have light coloured patches on my skin where the skin has lost its usual

> colour.

> -I become easily dehydrated.

> -I have fainting spells.

> Interpretation of the Predisposing Factors Section

> This section helps determine which factors led to the development of your

> adrenal fatigue. There may have only been one factor or there may have been

> several, but the number does not matter. One severely stressful incident can

> be

> all it takes for someone to develop adrenal fatigue, although typically it is

> more. The list is not exhaustive, but the items listed in this section are

> the most common factors that lead to adrenal fatigue. Use this section to

> better understand how your adrenal fatigue developed. seeing how it started

> often

> makes clearer what actions you can take to successfully recover from it. this

> section also leads into a following section that explores in more depth how

> your adrenal fatigue developed.

>

>

>

>

> NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

On 6/10/06, NOVAexeter@... <NOVAexeter@...> wrote:

> This where I am a bit unsure. Strictly speaking, this kind of adrenal

> support - taken in physiological doses mind! - SHOULD not affect the immune

> reponse. In pharmaceutical doses it definitely does. But it does not

differentiate

> on the patient info leaflet and I contacted the manufacturers and asked them.

> The person I spoke to did not know and said she would find out. She got back

> to me and said she was unable to find any information on this. So, I am left

> with this: in theory it should not in physiological doses. But I don't think

> it is that cut and dried.

Cortisol, in physiological doses, is an immune suppressant. That is

one of its physiological functions.

Chris

--

The Truth About Cholesterol

Find Out What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You:

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com

[Guest guest]

>

> Cortisol, in physiological doses, is an immune suppressant. That is

> one of its physiological functions.

Hi Chris

I would be very grateful if you could give me a reference for this?

If cortisol in physiological does is an immune suppressant, then would

not everyone have this affect from their own, natural/similar

physiological levels? Those with good adrenal function that is, if such

a creature can be found in our glabally-stressed population.

Thanks.

Mo

[Guest guest]

On 6/23/06, Mo Osborne <NOVAexeter@...> wrote:

> I would be very grateful if you could give me a reference for this?

> If cortisol in physiological does is an immune suppressant, then would

> not everyone have this affect from their own, natural/similar

> physiological levels? Those with good adrenal function that is, if such

> a creature can be found in our glabally-stressed population.

Mo,

Unfortunately I don't have a physiology textbook on hand, and my

biochem book has very little detail on cortisol, so I can't cite

anything directly at the moment.

And yes, everyone has an immune suppressant (anti-inflammatory) effect

from their own cortisol.

One of the cornerstones of the immune system, by the way, is its

ability to suppress itself. Suppression of the immune system per se

is not a bad thing. It's only a bad thing if it exceeds or fails to

meet the physiological requirement for the immune system's regulation

at any given moment. Suppression and stimulation are part of a

natural balance.

Chris

--

The Truth About Cholesterol

Find Out What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You:

http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com