Always tired... (My journey to cure my fatigue)

Yeah, I agree.  I'm going to have the Endo run every test hormonal possible.  Hopefully, I'll know what's going on with the extent of my cortisol/dhea-s and thyroid then.

Yeah, I agree with this too.  I would have heard something by now.  Like I said, I'll try anything for free, but I know this go against the rules of the forum, which I respect :)

It's starting to get cold here, so now my fingers are starting to get cold again. I have to sit on my hands here at work sometimes during the day to get them warm.

How's the fight against smoking going?

WOW.... today is going to be a great day.

Dispite the fact that I ate like complete crap yesterday, and I'm still smoking.... I FEEL GREAT TODAY

I woke up, felt like normal, but noticed that when I was putting on my shoes for the elliptical, something was different. I didn't get the crash. I did my exercise, and much to my surprise, I wasn't cold, but hot. I was sweating like a pig. I haven't had this in a long time. This was awesome. I got off, and didn't feel exhausted, but a little energized.

Perhaps this is God's way of telling me "Just quit eating the junk every blue moon, and quit smoking, and you'll be ok, faster" I hope so! :)

On another good note, my company is putting me in for a raise with the organization that I'm contracted through. If I get this, it will be a big salary increase, and help my wife and I out greatly. I might not know for a couple of months, but it's great that I'm put in for this.

-O-

Yeah.. congrats on feeling well. I hope it lasts and I hope you have a great day.

Well, I have finally decided to man up, make and appt with PCP and ask for Cortef.  I haven't done this sooner because I no that she would shoot it down, and probably put down the saliva test.  The way I look at is, the worst she can say, is No.  Then, I'll just hold out for the Endo appt.  I'm going to make the appt for next week, and pray that I can get a script for it. 

-O-

There are a ton of stuff on Cortef out there on the net.  I don't have off the top of my head, most of the links I have for this stuff is saved at work.  However, I found some great articles just after a few minutes of searching google.  Shouldn't be too hard.

Well, I've been doing a lot of reading today, and based on what I've found, I shouldn't taking Cortef until I have a full endo appt and labs run.  Here is what I've gather so far on the tests that need to be ran.

Diagnostic Testing for Addison's Disease

TEST 1: Electrolyte profile:

OBJECT: To determine if the patient exhibits a normal serum (blood) sodium and potassium levels.

THE TEST: A blood draw followed by automated determination of sodium and potassium levels as well as other standard blood markers.

NORMAL RESULT (will vary somewhat from lab to lab): Sodium 135-150 mEq/L; Potassium 3.5-5.2 mEq/L

PRIMARY ADDISONIAN: Will show significantly below normal values of sodium and a elevated (above normal) levels of potassium.

REASON FOR ABNORMALITY: Low or no production of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. This steroidal hormone regulates our mineral balance and is called a mineralocorticoid. Primary Addisonians lose sodium and retain potassium. Abnormal values here, in additon to physical signs and symptoms, require the next test.


TEST 2: The ACTH stimulation test:

OBJECT: To determine if the patient's adrenal glands can respond to the ACTH message from the pituitary to increase cortisol production in the adrenal cortex.

THE TEST: The test is usually given first thing in the morning when normal cortisol levels are highest. Blood is withdrawn from the patient to establish a baseline (No instructions regarding necessity for fasting). The patient is given 250 micrograms (ug) of ACTH (Cortrosyn, Cosyntropin, or Synacthen) by injection in saline at one time. Blood is drawn at 30 minutes and/or 60 minutes and the serum cortisol level is determined.

NORMAL RESULTS: Normal pre-injection levels of cortisol are 5-25 ug/dL (138-690 nmol/L). The value should double at 30-60 minutes with a minimum of 20 ug/dL (552 nmol/L). PRIMARY ADDISONIAN: There will be no or little increase in cortisol levels upon ACTH injection. Notes: It is stated in several places that a single test of cortisol levels, or even 24 h urinary levels of cortisol and its metabolites, are NOT DIAGNOSTIC! In the normal individual cortisol levels are seen to pulse. Low cortisol production in either the serum or the urine after ACTH stimulation is diagnostic of Addisons disease.

SECONDARY ADDISONIAN (Pituitary malfunction): Low cortisol production can be seen if the patient has "functional adrenal cortical atrophy" due to prolonged absence of normal ACTH secretion. This type of patient would not show the typical hyper-pigmentation of primary Addisons.

REASON FOR ABNORMALITY: Due to autoimmune, or other destruction of enzymatic (biocatalytic) machinery of the adrenal gland, there is no response to ACTH and no production of cortisol and other adrenal steroids necessary for life. If this test gives normal results and the patient has other signs and symptoms then one of the following tests is required.<!-- / message -->

Well, my PCP appt went pretty well.  I didn't get the Cortef, because she too believe that I need further testing before being placed on a steroid.  I was surprised how open minded she was about my saliva results, and she too believe that after all that has been done, and my history that this is a hormonal issue.  She's even calling my Endo (the one for December) and trying to get it bumped for me.  She said that he's a very good endo.  She recommends that I get the ACTH test done, which the Endo will probably do.  She even thinks that it's a possible hypothyroid issue.  She was thinking that this also might be the cause for my excesive sweating. 

Now I just have to wait and be patient.  She said she does have patient that are on Cortef, and are showing great results with increased energy.

-O-

LOL... NOPE!!!!

It was probably another one of those "Miracle Scams". 

I sent her 3 emails, and never heard another word from her.  It was probably a ploy to get people to go to the website, and buy the stuff up. 

LOL... yeah, but we all know that doesn't happen.  If it did, like HippiMom2 once told me....   everyone would know about it.  It would be all over the news.

Thanks HM2!

I really hope this provides the final piece to the puzzle, and he can treat me for hormonal imbalance.  I was talking to my wife last night.  It was a pretty bad day for me yesterday.  I was very tired.  It seems to be harder on the weekends, since I can sit around and relax.  I guess I don't think about it when I have things to do, until it catches up to me. 

Anyways, I was talking with my wife, and I was expressing my concerns about what I'm going to do if both tests comes back (from both Endo's) normal.  She's trying to calm me down and tell me not to worry, but it's so hard when I want my life back.  I just want this nightmare to be over. 

I just seems like a series of bad event are unfolding for my wife and I.  Me with this fatigue, and my wife with her sinuses.  To add to all the problems, my wife found a lump in her breast 3 weeks ago.  She had a sonogram done, and it's not a syst, but a tumor.  They cannot tell if it's benign or malignant yet.  She's having a biopsy done this week.  We're both scared, and this isn't helpimg my stress levels at all. 

I just don't know why sometimes God throws all this stuff on your at once.  Why isn't he listening to me?

LOL...

I'm usually exhausted all the day. Even when I'm making breakfast, I'm tired, and my neck is really stiff. It becomes better throughout the day, but still sore.