Have you gained weight as a result of adrenal fatigue (low cortisol levels)? How did you lose it, or manage it?

HI there I have just joined up and think this is a very useful site so here goes I have been feeling ill for years now and the doc keeps saying its stress and arthritis i go to docs so often they all know my name how sad is that ha. Well now I have to go back tomorrow as my morning cortisol are high at last something shows up I am sure they think I am a hypo as a kid I was on massive doses of steroids for my asthma till I was 17 i asked the doc could that be part of the problem this doc then did this test.

I would highly recommend reading up on the Maffetone Method by Dr. Phil Maffetone. In his book he talks about the physiological effects of both aerobic and anaerobic excercise. As an (ex)Ironman triathlete, I realize, after reading his books, how much damage I have done to my body by poor training methods. All of my intense training has caused burnout - adrenal fatigue. Training at anaerobic levels too often led me to be a carbohydrate burning machine - according to Maffetone, I did not allow my body to use fat for energy during workouts, I depended on cokes and gels. Therefore, my sugar cravings became insatiable. After a torn achilles and surgery, my weight sky-rocketed and so did my cravings.

Today I work on only my aerobic "engine" so that I don't cause undue adrenal stress. Training purely aerobically causes several physiological adaptations that anaerobic exercise cannot, appropriate fat-burning being one of them. Another benefit of pure aerobic training is fortifying of the tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and development of the necessary blood vessels to nourish those tissues during exercise. Jumping into anaerobic exercise without the proper development of the aerobic system can also cause injuries because the body has not had time to adapt. There is so much more in Maffetone's books...

There is a time and place for anaerobic exercise, but I won't be doing it any time soon. Hope this helps!

Hi, Anon (Dianne?):

I can certainly identify with stress build-up over an extended period of time. I used to take DHEA, as well, for a time. But, I found that physical activity made me feel better. Besides, I forget to take my supplements.

I can also identify with the belly fat and menopause issues. Frustrating.

Do you keep a food and fitness journal? Keeping track of what you eat and your daily activity helps keep you on track, and holds you accountable for your eating habits and exercise.

What two books did you just order?

Wow! I'm amazed at the responses from each of you. I'll do my best to answer some of the questions posed. My Dr. contributes my adrenal fatigue to high levels of stress over extended periods of time - too much going on for too long (most women can identify!). I did two saliva tests - the first to confirm the diagnosis and the second about 6 months later to see where I am now. Sorry to say, no change yet. She says to be patient, it can take up to 18 months. In the meantime, she has prescribed restorative yoga and getting lots of rest in addition to supplements and a small dose of DHEA combined with testostorne. I am walking almost daily and do some yoga, but not as much as I probably should be doing.
I was working with a trainer 2x a week, but just stopped for two reasons: the trainer didn't understand enough about my condition to help, and the only time I could go was early morning which meant I had to get up even earlier. Also, my thoughts are that with the layer of fat around my belly, I'm better off walking.
I am in memopause, so some of this might be contributed to that - but with my eating habits (not perfect, but reasonable) and the exercise I do get,I am still gaining too much too fast.
I just ordered two books that may provide me some additional info.
Thanks again ladies!

Dianne, I'm also interested in how old you are, whether you are perimenopausal or menopausal? It is very common for us to put on weight around our middles in that time of life, even without an adrenal problem (though it sounds as though yours can be explained by your sudden forced lack of aerobic activity).

Have you had other symptoms, like insomnia or general weakness? Low blood sugar? Depression?

What does your doctor have you doing to heal your adrenals? Is there a certain level of measurement in your blood that you are trying to reach? Does she or he give you a time frame for how long it may take?

Would you be able to do such things as resistance training?

And have you been under lots of stress lately? Can you do anything to relieve that stress? (I'm sure the inability to run right now is contributing its own kind of stress, isn't it?) Our adrenals get overused when we are constantly in a stress mode.

This seemed like an extraordinarily helpful page to me, it discusses not only causes and symptoms but also nutrition and medicine:

http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx?id=1&campaignno=adrenalfatigue&adgroup=ag10treat&keywords=heal+adrenal+glands

Count your blessings that your doctor figured out what's going on with you; apparently many women with adrenal disorders simply don't get diagnosed, and they go on for years feeling fatigued, emotionally unbalanced, and needing stimulants like caffeine to just get through the day. Here's a paragraph that might make you feel better:

"In all but the most extreme cases, we expect to see dramatic improvement within about four months. For mild to moderate adrenal fatigue the turnaround can be much faster. Remember, you may feel too tired to make changes now, but by moving forward in stages, you’ll build the strength you need to stay with it. You will love how you feel when you do!"

How long has it been since you were diagnosed?

Hi Dianne,

This is my first post to this message board, but I am overwhelmingly drawn to offer you my experience with adrenal exhaustion. I am a highly productive person. As a child growing up, my family considered need for rest a character flaw! I felt I could push through anything. I, too, was a runner (by all definitions)! I used to take pride in bragging that my body and mind did better with four hours sleep a night. I was Superwoman!

Five years ago, that came to a screeching halt. I had crossed a line. Looking back, I probably had been running on adrenalin for a very long time. As I understand it now, the cortisol levels in my body were likely extremely high (this caused weight gain for me, especially in my belly). When the cortisol began to deplete, I began to feel exhausted, my metabolism really shut down, and I gained even more weight.

It took a long time and several physician changes, but found an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid and adrenal issues about a eighteen months ago. She has her own compounding pharmacy and I am taking a small dose of cortisol daily now (in addition to other supplements). I watch what I eat, but I wouldn't say I "diet". Yoga has been a extremely important part of my physical activity - but gentle and restorative yoga as opposed to a very active practice. I walk three to four miles, several days a week. I wear a heart rate monitor, not to make my heart go faster, but to be sure I am not working too hard. I have also recently begun working with a personal trainer doing some resistance work, but looked long and hard for someone who understood my special needs and requirements. I also religiously get eight hours of sleep nightly - and guard and protect my need for that. I take a supplement with suntheanine, HTP5, GABA, and melatonin that assists with that.

I have lost forty pounds in the last year and am more well balanced and happier than I've ever been. I have learned to listen to my body and honor its need for rest. It is so hard to walk when I used to run, but I have traded the wind in my hair for the sun on my face.

I wish you well.