dragonfly

In a nutshell- I do think the treatments helped me but I didn't get quite the immediate change or help Hampton did. My appt was in the morning and sometimes my pain doesn't settle in until later in the day so I didn't really have a great pain reference to start from.

From the test it seems I am having allergies to both my progestrone and estrogen. I was first given stuff on Thursday and did not take anything for pain on Thursday or Friday- I was basically pain free.

For some of us this treatment can take more time. I did have some pain this morning but for the first time since I can remember I didn't take any pain med for a few days and the bed we had was really hard so I think I woke up sore from that. I did take something and didn't have anymore need for pain meds the rest of today although I am exhausted from the long day.

The fatigue problems they feel are related to adrenal exhaustion. My cortisols have probably bottomed out over the stress 4 years ago and if you run on adrenaline you have a small amount of energy that only carries you so long. To comfirm this I am having a saliva cortisol test so you are reading it 4 times during the day. If mine is poor I will also go on cortisol.

Since most of my problem is with fatigue that is a process to correct. Proper diet- low carb- daily walking at a slow pace to get the adrenaline down so cortisol can kick in again etc.

There are others things to say but I'm too tired right now.- sorry. There are other things I am going to be doing as well. I will say this- yesterday I felt really quite good and wanted to go shopping- it blew my husband away because normally I hate to shop because it usually causes my pain to set in. I had no pain shopping at all yesterday. After getting over the initial pain from this morning I shopped a walked around again today with no problem. That is not normal for me so I do think something is helping. I think time will tell as I continue to do the treatments as to how much it will help or change my situation in the long run. I will say they were very professional and spent a lot of time with us. Dr. Roby had an emergency come up the day before we were suppose to go so since he wasn't going to be there they felt bad and didn't charge me for the hormones which are usually 1000 bucks. I don't know any doctor that would be that generous. To our benefit HE had a medical problem that kept him in town so I still got to see him the next day.

I'll tell you guys more tomorrow. Happy to be home- it is really hot there and the roads are terribly confusing- thank God my husband went and drove.

Hope this is enough to at least let you know I am happy I went and I will see how things are I think better now that I am home in my normal environment- Luv me

I am particularly interested in the adrenal fatigue/cortisol connection, because I think that is part of my problem with the fatigue. The doctors at that clinic and especially Dr. Roby sound like caring, dedicated and knowledgable professionals. That was wonderful that he gave you the hormones at no charge! You are right, that is almost unheard of! It's nice to know that there are some generous docs out there who keep their patients' welfare their top priority.

Post edited by: hipmama42, at: 05/25/2008 00:18

I worked in the yard for probably at least 5 hours with no major break. I felt good- little pain and the fatigue was minimal. It felt so good being able to do that. Something has to be helping.

Hipmama asked about the adrenal stuff. Basically consider this whether or not you see this doctor. Go on online and get a saliva kit it is around 70 bucks. You test your cortisols 4 times in one day. Cortisol should be highest in the morning and go down as the day wears on. If your tests show it is not that high in the morning and by evening it is almost gone- you ARE running on adrenaline and that is causing some of the fatigue if not all. You can get cortisol from a vitamen place. Increasing cortisol by taking it can help with energy. I still have to do the test but by my symptoms it wouldn't surprise me or the doctors that mine is very low.

If you are running on adrenaline other things to do or consider include reducing carb intake as well as sugar and caffeine. All those things feed adrenaline. I already eat less carbs and sugar but I do drink coffee in the morning.

Smoking is not very good to do if you have this problem. I currently still smoke but now I am going to start to at least cut down and possibly try to quit in the future.

If you are able- long slower walking daily also helps reduce adrenaline and get cortisol back where it should be. I know this is something that some folks can't do but if you can do some it is in your best interest. Hampton said she could only do 30 minutes at first but now is up to an hour. I didn't walk today but definately got a workout in.

I have some pain now but it's from working outside so long. I AM feeling better and I hope if I continue on this stuff and this approach that hopefully at some point I will see a consistant marked improvement.

Ok I am tired so that's it for now. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.-m

Worked in the yard again today for about 3 hours. Again- I'm a little achy but it's a good achy because I haven't been able to do these things for over 4 years for this long of a time.

After trying everything under the sun for many years- this at least right now IS helping me. I don't quite know how and way these antigens and taking DHEA are helping so much but they are.

I hope it continues. If it does- it may be something for some people to consider. I don't know if it's for everyone but it seems to be helping me and I wouldn't say it was if it wasn't. -m

dragonfly