I was diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue in April of 2022. Exactly to the month of my mom’s passing. I had started counseling to process the grief that was crushing me and she was noticing physical symptoms as well. She suggested going to see a functional doctor. So, I made an appointment with an office in Grand Rapids that she suggested.
I had no idea what functional medicine was. But my husband and I went to the appointment. Functional medicine are physicians who believe in healing the body with what God has given to us on this earth, versus treating symptoms. They did an In-Body Scan, asked a lot of questions, did a physical exam and then they talked to us. Adrenal Fatigue they said. That was my diagnosis. “Your body has been under so much stress your adrenal glands can’t keep up anymore. They are worn out.” A level 3 out of 4.
What stress had I been under? Well, within a 10-year period my dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed, we fostered two kiddos for two years (yes, this was stressful), had an ankle accident that required months of physical therapy, casts and surgery. We moved, rebuilt a house and moved again. I had a hysterectomy. Then I took care of my mom for two years who then passed away from cancer. All on top of regular life…so maybe I had some stress.
Okay…so what does this mean? The doctor responded, “If you were on an airplane and there was an emergency, you would put your mask on first before helping others.” My reply was, “No. I would help others with their masks before putting on mine.” “Then you would be dead,” was his response. He further explained, “Until you understand that you have to put yourself first and heal, you won’t be able to help anyone else.” Sigh…
My symptoms were bad. I was losing my hair. My body was inflamed, meaning I ached all over. I could barely turn my head because the muscles in my back and neck were in knots. I would wake up in the middle of the night and be up for a few hours, wide awake. I would get lightheaded whenever I stood up. I still had kids to school and I would literally fall asleep teaching them…in mid-sentence…at 10:00 am. Afternoon naps were necessary and would last three hours. I could no longer walk up the stairs to tuck the youngest two into bed. Sometimes walking to take a shower was too much for me. I was susceptible to all sorts of viruses. Brain fog was…no joke. Completing sentences or thoughts were tough…and embarrassing. Headaches all the time. If my body got cold, I could never get warm again.
So, I had to submit to putting myself first and healing, otherwise I would be no good for anyone in the future…and the truth was, I really wasn’t any good to anyone then either. “What do we need to do?” my hubby and I asked him. Which I have to mention, my husband has been AMAZING in all of this. He has gone to every one of my appointments. He has been patient with my healing, encouraging me to rest, to walk, to make good choices with food and set boundaries. “In sickness and in health.” He has been my support. Thank you, sweetheart.
The first six weeks included a complete detox of all foods, except a few, along with some natural supplements to aid my body in trying to rid of all inflammation. If my body was inflamed, then it couldn’t work as a team with my adrenal glands properly. “Gut health is key,” he said. The second brain. This was extremely uncomfortable, especially since we were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary during those six weeks. After this, I reintroduced foods back into my diet, except for gluten, dairy and of course sugar.
This was tough. Is tough. And the days will continue to be tough. But now I know, whenever I cheat and have gluten, my stomach hurts and my joints ache. If I consume gluten or sugar, my mental health is compromised…I will feel agitated and depressed. Putting myself first with food, exercise, rest, chiropractic care, functional care and mental care.
Every three months I go back into his office and have an In-Body Scan…this always has felt like a report card to me. This scan will tell the doctor cellular level results and he is able to adjust any supplements needed to work WITH my body and come along side to recover and heal completely. This has been the difference with conventional medicine. The root was addressed and fixed, not the symptoms.
I have had to learn to allow myself permission to set boundaries. I don’t want to tax my adrenal glands again and have a relapse. Physical excursion. Emotional excursion. Both tax the adrenal glands. Setting boundaries is hard. It’s putting the mask on myself first before helping others. I have been a certain way for 40+ years and now I have to put myself first.
Healing the adrenal glands has been no small, easy or quick task. I just visited my functional doctor this week and he said with confidence I am no longer in the fatigue category, but now in recovery. That is over two years later…over two years! Now in “recovery” mode. He labeled it PTSD for my adrenal glands. So be gentle and put the mask on first.
I am ONE story,
~ Kristy