Just Got Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia

[Canadian Karen]

I just spent an hour searching for this thread that I knew we had awhile back. Please check out my post #6. Now if that doesn't sound like an adrenal thing, I don't know what does! Let me know what you guys think. I was searching for answers way back then, too!

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Hugs.

Karen

[CarlaB]

  Canadian Karen said:

I just spent an hour searching for this thread that I knew we had awhile back. Please check out my post #6. Now if that doesn't sound like an adrenal thing, I don't know what does! Let me know what you guys think. I was searching for answers way back then, too!

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Hugs.

Karen

It definately sounds like you've been at the level of stress that would cause it!!!!

[tiredofdoctors]

Jestgar, you're awesome! Have my neuro appointment on Monday . . . will have him request actual VALUES of the genetic info vs some vague, watered down statement . . .. will let you know!!! Thank again! Lynne

[georgie]

Karen, Ursula, CarlaB, anyone else that posted. Sorry out of town yesterday. Look - HONEST- the answer sweet and simple is Armour. Yes - you can get it in Canada. Its called Thyroid there I think. Broda Barnes is completely right. TSH is USELESS. Temps are the best test of poor thyroid. Until that afternoon temp gets to 98.6 - YOU HAVE LOW THYROID ! www.stopthethyroidmadness.com explains it so well. She has helped 10000s of people regain their health and find a good Dr. A lot of people will have damaged or weak adrenal function as well as low Thyroid - so need that tested and treated. Honest - all the answers are on the web site and in the Forums. There is a good yahoo mailing list too. Can I post that link? This winter when I was at my sickest I was wearing FIVE jumpers and still dying. STTM saved my life. I have had low Thyroid for 30 years and Drs always got it wrong and didn't order ALL the thyroid tests. Blood tests are NOT that accurate !! Armour was used for 100 years before synthetic drugs and blood test were made /invented. No such thing as CFS or Fibro back then ...

Karen, This sounds adrenal. Have you had a 24 hour saliva test done ?

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I just spent an hour searching for this thread that I knew we had awhile back. Please check out my post #6. Now if that doesn't sound like an adrenal thing, I don't know what does! Let me know what you guys think. I was searching for answers way back then, too!

Poor adrenal function happens a lot with low Thyroid. You 'run on adrenalin' to get by - and sooner or later - you wear out your adrenal function. STTM explains it but you need the test, and then results posted and then a Dr that prescribes low dose cortisone. Without that - the Armour will not work for you. The cortisone is usually temporary as your adrenals heal.

Other tests for adrenals are on the site. Do you hate sunlight ? Can you graph your temps? Are they low all day ? Or are they low as a basal temp - then rise and fall all through the day. What is your temp at 5pm when you 'crash'.

[Ursa Major]

Georgie, that is a great website. But my free T3 and T4 levels were tested on top of the TSH. And both were right in the middle of normal. They were saying that those T3 and T4 levels were what determined if you have a thyroid problem or not.

If my temperature won't rise, and I don't get better, I'll mention it to my doctor. He only really started treating me today for adrenal burnout. Lets give his treatment a chance before I jump on him with something else.

He is very open to suggestions (he's a naturopathic doctor, not your average clueless GP), and asks me for my opinion on things, instead of telling me what to do.

Thanks for the link.

[georgie]

Ursula, Were Antibodies tested ? Antibodies show up the Autoimmune low thyroid which is prob what all us Celiac will have. Once you have Antibodies those other labs don't mean a lot. The Antibodies attack and kill your thyroid off - and levels change all the time. Most people with Hashis Thyroid feel better when Free T3 is OVER range. If on Armour that WONT give you Osteoporous ( despite what many Drs say). Its only the synthetics that do that.

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Georgie, that is a great website. But my free T3 and T4 levels were tested on top of the TSH. And both were right in the middle of normal. They were saying that those T3 and T4 levels were what determined if you have a thyroid problem or not.

My TSH, frees were completely normal looking too. But - showed Antibodies ( not a lot) and that was enough to dx me. I am onto 3 grains of Armour and will need more. When you take it - you feel so alive. Its hard to describe. Like a 'teenager again' feeling. You want to hum and be happy. Know some people onto 6 grains of Armour. You keep increasing until that pm temp gets to normal( without having a fever!)

[Ursa Major]

Antibodies for what? I am not sure I know what you're talking about.

My white blood cells are just barely in the normal range (4.2, when 4 to 11 is normal), which I thought may indicate a problem, but the doctor says he isn't concerned about that, claims it isn't a problem at all.

[georgie]

Antibodies for Hashimotos Thyroid. Its an Autoimmune disease of the Thyroid. Drs are trained that unless the TSH is out of range then there is NO chance of Hashimotos. Not true. Also - just to make things really confusing for you - 10% of people with Hashimotos NEVERshow Antibodies. ie the blood test has a number of false negatives. I had only a TPO # of 35 which was only borderline high but have numerous nodules on my Thyroid and a huge Gopitre which was making eating and drinking and talking difficult. Don't leave it that late. Many do and then Dr says - remove....

If you have one autoimmune disease you can have others. Has B12 been tested? How are your temps? Do you have symptoms of low Thyroid ???

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Antibodies for what? I am not sure I know what you're talking about.

[Ursa Major]

How would you know if you have nodules? I definitely don't have a goiter. My B12 is 830 (normal is over 150). And my ferretin is right now 105 (which is the optimal level). Low temperatures can also be a sign of adrenal fatigue.

I will keep all this in mind, but for now I am concentrating on fixing my adrenals. Right now my only big problem is low energy (or should I say, NO energy?).

[georgie]

Yes. Have you charted your temps according to Dr Rinds page?

With adrenals - the temps are low but fluctuate. If Thyroid they are constant low. If Thyroid AND adrenal then basal temp is way low, and temp rises but stays too low and is up and down too much. How are fixing your adrenals ?

Nodules showed up with an ultrasound. The Goitre grew rapidly at the last. Had been fatigued for a long time before I started to choke on food.

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How would you know if you have nodules? I definitely don't have a goiter. My B12 is 830 (normal is over 150). Low temperatures can also be a sign of adrenal fatigue.

B12 is good. But beware that <400 is not good. In Japan they have a low normal of 500...

[Ursa Major]

I have been put on a supplement/medicine by Genestra Brands called TAD+ 301, Vitamin-Mineral + Adrenal Supplement.

It has Vitamin A, C, all the B vitamins, Pantothenic Acid, Zinc, and Adrenal and Spleen Concentrates (Freeze-dried New Zealand Bovine), as well as Wild Yam and Licorice. It is hypoallergenic, and is guaranteed not to contain starch, sugar, salt, preservatives, colours, flavours or additives, or any corn, wheat, yeast, gluten, soy or dairy by-products.

I started today with taking one pill (for three days), progressing to two a day in three days, and three after three more days, which is what I'll stay on unless I get body aches because of too many salicylates because of the yam and licorice (I hope that won't happen, though).

Anyway, I just realized how late (early) it is, and better go to bed.

[georgie]

Ursula, I think those tablets are fairly mild but may work. I am on 20 mg of cortisone a day for adrenals.

Can you chart your temps ?

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[Ursa Major]

Georgie, I think taking cortisone for adrenals is a huge mistake, and will burn them out more, instead of fixing them. I have no intentions of going that route.

I really don't believe I have a problem with my thyroid. Sometimes the thyroid isn't functioning right, because the adrenals aren't doing their job. At this point I believe that getting my adrenals to function properly again will be the answer to my problems.

Fixing the adrenals permanently takes time, there is no instant fix. I don't want to take the hormone the adrenals are supposed to produce. I want to coax my adrenals to start producing them again. That is the slower, but superiour route, in my opinion.

[loraleena]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice. I have been following this topic for a while and have some questions. I have fibro, which went away for 2 years and has reared its ugly head again. I have hashimotos, diagnosed by the antibody test. I am on Cytomel, but body temps still low and still feel like crap. Some days I have a "good day" with some energy, and my temps range from 97.6 in the morning, 97.8 in afternoon to 96.8 in late night. On my bad days, I start with 97.6 at awakening and then in the late morning my temps rise to anywhere from 98.3-98.6.

When this happens I get foggy headed, sore throat and chills. I feel feverish once I hit about 98.1-98.3. This went away for quite a while, but now happens 2-3 times a week. I feel worst at around 3-5pm. Then, around 7-8pm the temps drop, my fuzzy head goes away, and start to feel energetic. Occasionally I don't feel better at night and I get really tired. My temps drop lowest on these nights (around 96.6). I have been on adrenals in the past, but didn't feel different. Does this sound like thyroid and adrenals?? Help.

[Ursa Major]

Loraleena, try seeing a naturopath, regular GPs appear to not recognize adrenal fatigue as a valid health concern. It sounds like you may have adrenal fatigue on top of the hashimotos.

[CarlaB]

  loraleena said:

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice. I have been following this topic for a while and have some questions. I have fibro, which went away for 2 years and has reared its ugly head again. I have hashimotos, diagnosed by the antibody test. I am on Cytomel, but body temps still low and still feel like crap. Some days I have a "good day" with some energy, and my temps range from 97.6 in the morning, 97.8 in afternoon to 96.8 in late night. On my bad days, I start with 97.6 at awakening and then in the late morning my temps rise to anywhere from 98.3-98.6.

When this happens I get foggy headed, sore throat and chills. I feel feverish once I hit about 98.1-98.3. This went away for quite a while, but now happens 2-3 times a week. I feel worst at around 3-5pm. Then, around 7-8pm the temps drop, my fuzzy head goes away, and start to feel energetic. Occasionally I don't feel better at night and I get really tired. My temps drop lowest on these nights (around 96.6). I have been on adrenals in the past, but didn't feel different. Does this sound like thyroid and adrenals?? Help.

Definately sounds like adrenals to me. The feeling bad from 3-5 was thing that says "adrenals".

Ursula and I both read a book called Tired of Being Tired by Jesse Lynn Hanley, MD that has a program to rebuild adrenal stregth. It's slow, but it's a permanent fix, not a bandaid. I would not take cortisone, the adrenals need to be coaxed into working again. Just taking adrenal is not enough, there are dietary and lifestyle changes that are necessary as well. I finally have days where I feel human again ... still have more bad days than good, but I sure enjoy a good day here and there!!

[georgie]

That's fine Ursula. Just sharing info. My Dr uses this route and this is the accepted way to treat low Thyroid as naturally as possible. Its not replacing the adrenal function but supplementing the low function which allows the adrenals to heal and the Armour to get into the cells. Once the healing has happened - you wean off the cortisone.Its short term treatment for most people.Most people with low Thyroid also have low adrenal function. 'Safe Uses of Cortisol' - Dr Jeffries is a Bible for this treatment protocol. Its no so much an instant fix but using modern medicine and natural medicine together to gain the result and heal your body.But you need the saliva tests first to correctly dx your adrenal function. You can't just guess at this.

[Mtndog]

  Ursula said:

My waking up temperature is only 95.54 Fahrenheit (35.3 Celsius), and within an hour climbs to 97.34 F (36.3 C) every day. When I have a 'normal' temperature, it's because I am sick, and I feel dreadful.

Ursula- i am EXACTLY the same as you. If my temp is 97 or above, I have a fever.

I think I need to check out some of these links too. Thanks everyone!

[happygirl]

Wow-Bev, Ursula, et al,

My temperature is consistently on the low side as well. Definitely in the 97s. So a 99 "temp" is HIGH for me when I'm sick!

Hmm....another thing to add to my list.

What would I do without yall, honestly.

[georgie]

Lauralena, You need to touch base with your Dr . I was on synthetic T3 like you and can assure you that once you make the switch to Armour ALL your Hypo problems that you mention will disappear. It really does work. Read STTM site and join that Forum and ask and ask until you understand. Your future depends on it. Celiac can associated with Hashimotos and so is Pernicious Anaemia and a few other autoimmune diseases. Lucky me - I have the 3 ! But am not suffering AT ALL ! I feel great. I can't believe you want to keep feeling ill ? Feeling cold is a MAJOR hypo symptom and if you are taking synthetic T3 and still feeling ill ....... go back to your Dr and insist on Armour. If he says no - sack him and find a Dr that understands. You don't have to live with poor health and pain.

LauraJ, Yes check out STTM site. Your temps indictate low Thyroid. And mono. happens a lot for people with Hypo Thyroid. You are less able to fight infections. You may even find many of your food allergies resolve as that can be a symptom as well that goes away. Imagine - you maybe able to eat almost anything again ! Armour...it works ...it just works... I have been sick for 30 years and now - feel like a new person ! The site explains the symptoms and tests you need and also how to find a good Dr.

Mtndog, Ursula, Those temps are Hypo ! Mine were like that too and within months of Armour are improving and are now only 0.5 away from normal. I used to wear 5 jumpers when others had one. Not anymore ! Broda Barnes.... check his book. Mary Shonan. www.stopthethyroidmadness.com Read .... cure ...get well....

[CarlaB]

I agree, Dr. Broda Barnes. I started taking glandular thyroid when my temps were low. The thing is, if your adrenals are fatigued, thyroid only works for so long. They are closely connected. Thyroid helped me for years before my adrenals were fatigued, however.

I have no experience with synthetic thryoid, but I can tell you glandular worked wonders for me.

Your thryoid may test normal, but if your temps are low, it's not.

[georgie]

This is where the low dose cortisone supplement comes into play. It helps the Armour work. It helps you build up to correct dose of Armour, you get optimised and well, then can wean off the cortisone. Most people say they 'know' when they no longer need the cortisone. My Dr is a GP and naturopath but she uses this approach. Healthy adrenals produce 40mg of cortisol so- if you test low ( by saliva testing ) you supplement to replace what's missing. Hubbie gets arash from low adrenal function. I get Fibro pain. But we are working our Armour up to optimum - 3 grains so far - and starting to feel great. My weight hasn't moved yet but STTM says that often happens right near the optimum dose. STTM has a list of books you can read if you need to research. They believe there is no such complaint as Fibromyalgia or CFS. I believe them. Read why they argue that case. Its so true. I had Fibro 10 years ago and spent heaps of money on natural cures and acupuncture. All I needed was my Hypo fixed !

[CarlaB]

I take a glandular adrenal as well as glandular thyroid. I also have done the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes. My doc did a hair analysis to diagnose my low adrenal function. Strange thing is, my only problem with weight is keeping it on, but that has to do with the gluten intolerance, I'm sure.

[mouse]

My temp is 95.5 to 96.5. It has been as low as 94.5. I take Synthroid and the last time it was tested (last Spring) it ran a little high. But, my temps were the same. I see my GP on Tuesday. What do I ask for in the way of tests?

[CarlaB]

  mouse said:

My temp is 95.5 to 96.5. It has been as low as 94.5. I take Synthroid and the last time it was tested (last Spring) it ran a little high. But, my temps were the same. I see my GP on Tuesday. What do I ask for in the way of tests?

Armetta, Dr. Barnes promoted a basal temperature test that you do on your own. He felt it was a better indicator of thyroid function than the conventional tests.