A year later, adrenal fatigue and 22W to stay :(

[Mary Bernard]

I just wanted to say thanks again for all this info. Thanks, Trisch, for posting that old thread on VitD. It's so funny because my primary doc found my VitD deficiency. But this winter/spring, I've been feeling "off," "blah," etc. And I asked about the results of VitD deficiency. And she's like, "Oh, nothing much, but when you get older, it may cause osteoporosis. So, it's a good idea to get enough now." After reading here, though, I can see some direct links between the VitD deficiency and my recent issues!

[nicolelm]

Hey Rita.

I have chronic fatigue syndrome and weight issues right now as well. I am 23 years old, and just hate it! So, I unfortunately do kind of know what your are going through. I know whats it's like to just be exhausted day in and day out, to try to be healthy and still have so many issues despite my efforts! I also have gone GF, and feel a bit better.

But, Trisch is right, as usual! GAPS sounds like it's the way to go for you. I say this because of how many vitamins your are deficient in. When this happens it means your body is just having the toughest time absorbing the good things from your food. I think that this might have something to do with your weight as well. If your gut isn't happy, then most other things in your body are not going to be happy as well. I think this includes our body's ability to regulate our weight. I say give it a good solid 3 to 6 months and see if GAPS has done anything for you. At least you can check it off your list and say that you've tried it. That's what i will be doing.

I myself will be embarking on that journey next week. I bought the GAPS guidebook, and will be following that. That's all my budget would allow me to purchase, but it is supposedly VERY helpful to newbie GAPS people. I ordered it online, and am just waiting for it.It's going to be a challenge, but so is being sick everyday.

I hope you start finding relief soon Rita!

[Linda O]

{{{Rita}}}

I think that everyone is giving you such great advice and comfort here. I do think that GAPS diet could be very helpful, especially if there are some triggers and fatigue the adrenals, such as food allergies (gluten, etc.). As stated, GAPS will take some of that load off of your adrenals and actually help to heal the gut and the allergies.

I experienced a significant weight loss on GAPS (30-35 lbs), and T-Tapp was essential as my choice of fitness/wellness because there was no jumping or weights. Your energy level is not so great on the beginning of GAPS, especially INTRO. But it will eventually increase to much more than you are experiencing now. If INTRO seems too intense, and it could, maybe you might want to consider FULL GAPS for a while (gradually eliminating the off-limit foods). You could, at some point in the future, step back into INTRO for the full healing effect.

I sure wish you the best, and the prayers and support from everyone here is so wonderful, isn't it? Don't give up and don't be discouraged by what you see. I know that other things that I tried really didn't work, but GAPS initiated the weight loss through the healing process. It's a nice holistic approach that seems to work for many people with many health concerns.

God bless you on your journey to greater health. Remember, you are NOT alone, and you CAN do this! Many blessings to you.

[mum4life]

{{{Rita}}}

I would up your D3 even more. I was taking 20,000 IU when I was crawling out of my illness and adrenal lows around the holidays. Even if you just upped it for a month or so, then go back to 10,000 IU or so. You are farther north than I am, and we just don't get enough from the sun. And with your family needs, it's not like you have time to sit out in the sun for awhile anyway, right?! On top of all that--if your body is not functioning well, you won't be able to make D3. Bad domino effect.

I'll try to write more this week sometime--got a crazy week coming up. Ayj gave you some good links. I think there are videos on YouTube of Dr. Natasha--I haven't watched them all. I also have some good websites bookmarked. SCD has a lot of similar things--that's what Dr. Natasha used to tweak from to form GAPS.

HUGS to you! There IS hope! Hang onto that!

I'm just catching up to this thread. I upped my VIt D yesterday to 10,000 and felt pretty good. I have to get bloodwork first though, so will keep it regular until then. I don't want a false reading. Do you have any links for Vit D. ?The safety of high doses and such. All my boys are low Vit D too. And actually I do try get outside once a day if I can. Now that it's nice my two year old needs to get out there and I can't help myself too.
I am so thankful to you for giving me hope. I hope one day to be able to stand with others saying this has worked for me. When all was lost and my fat loved me too much I too was able to get it off.

Thanks so much,
~Rita

[mum4life]

Hi Rita, I must have been gone from the forum last year when you were on. As you know, there isn't anyone better than Trisch (and Ayj) for giving out all that great info!

If you can get some soup bones from a butcher, that would be a great way to start making some bone broths. I start mine in the morning and add onion, garlic, carrots and potatoes at various times throughout the day. At night I then put it all into a crockpot (or two!) and let it go on low all night. By morning the broth is so rich and dark looking. I strain it all out and have to fight my oldest dd for it all week! ha ha

I agree that the inability to make decisions (even for food planning) is one of those things that AF does to us. And, like Trisch said, we multi-dimensional...physical, emotional, spiritual...it all goes together.

You know, if you are sitting a lot, due to tiredness, aches and pains, etc...just stretch your arms out a few times a day and do some butterflies. You may find, in a week or two, that you could stand and get into the T-Tapp stance and do them.

I'm praying for you. It is so hard when our bodies are fighting us so hard!

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for popping in here. I need all the support I can get. I think I need a GAPS buddy to get me started. LOL

Hmm, okay, stupid question number 1; what kind of soup bones ? Beef, pork or ? Perhaps a link on this would be faster for me ?
(even though I grew up on a farm!) And what does bone broth do ? And how much to take per day/week ? I have the GAPS book but don't think I seen this in there, is this an SCD thing ? Or maybe elsewhere ? I've got a crockpot, and will have to find a real butcher and I"ll be good to go !

And yes, I sit alot mostly for work and I suppose tired. I"ll have to watch that butterflies one again so I can remember it and do it whenever needed. What exactly does it do ? Heart rate? Flushing ?

And what does everyone do for emotional and spiritual dimensional work ? I mean I pray, I talk to God, and read spiritually. I have lots of crosses with our disabled boys and stress from work and finances etc. But, what more could I do with all that, besides just leave it up to God and try not to worry ? Maybe this is a corner I've not looked into much. ?

I"m a recovering perfectionist too, so haven't even started much ttapp since this thread started. I've got to get a new dvd player. Have been doing KLT stances and got up to 160seconds one night. Will try do butterflies today. Anything else, I should be doing to just start and move forward ?

Thanks everyone! And yes, Trisch has been a great support since I got on here. (not to forget you Ayj.

~Rita

[just7]

Hi Rita!

Bones--I use beef right now. I just simmer them all day like I would in making a soup stock. If we have had turkey or a chicken, then I would put the bones in and cover with water and simmer them all day. I like adding lots of garlic and onion (just quarter the onion) and then wash carrots and throw them in whole...same with celery. To do the bone broth I've then finished it off in the crockpot all night so I get about 24 hours with it. Strain and drink with coconut oil or butter and some celtic sea salt to taste. SOOO yummy and satisfying! (Now--if I can just steal away before oldest dd drinks it all! )

TRISCH??? Benefits of bone broth?? Great fats, the marrow from the bones, nutritious, protein. According to GAPS it will help nourish the body while helping to heal the gut.

Butterflies--lymphatic pumping, lowers blood sugar. When you stand in T-Tapp stance (KLT), stretch arms out to wall and then use your LATS to do the butterfly movement you are activating so much that it will definitely increase your energy level and brain clarity so you can get back to work.

Emotional/spiritual--I've dealt with depression most of my life. Praise and worship are vital for me and all else flows from that. But I have to make a concious effort to do that....a choice. My natural flesh wants to wallow, hide away, eat, be a slug (you get the idea). Having a good friend (sister! ) or two, treasuring what I DO have in my family and cultivating those relationships are all things that are proving to be a great source of healing for me these days.

HUGS to you!

[BlessedMama]

Yep, that covers it! The reason people did well even in hard times, with nourishing bone broths as the base for their soups (and not much protein in them), is the cooking of the bones helps stretch the protein that is in the broth. When I add some coconut oil or grass-fed butter to my broth and enough celtic sea salt to taste I am amazed at how well it satisfies me. And how much better I feel!

But it's healing effect on the gut is amazing. My 2 dds we did GAPS for can both eat gluten now without the gut pain they used to have. They try to be wise about it, and we soak the grains at home when we use them. But we're not going "hog wild" on grains all the time, because we don't want to undo the good we've done! If you only have the energy to focus on one thing in GAPS, I say BROTH. Good fats is number 2 and fermented foods #3, because your adrenals need LOTS of good fats to heal. But fermented foods add different strains of a lot of good probiotic bacteria in the natural form. Used to be we had so many fermented foods in our diet, but with the advent of "easy" and "cheap", not so much anymore. That is probably the most time-consuming to get started, so just focus on broth and then good fats. As you start feeling better, then you can add ferments. I have an army of girls here so we jumped in with all feet!

[just7]

Need that "army of girls" over here!! I make the broth but "someone else" seems to be drinking it all before I can remind myself that it is there and I NEED to be drinking it!!

[mum4life]

Ahh Jennifer I can second that! I need my army of girls here (well, sure would like them back that is

Okay ladies, then bone broth it is. (have never even bought a bone from a butcher, so I don't look like a horses *** (I wouldn't say it in real life either what should I ask for ? And if I get a supply just freeze them and use one at a time ?

I can sometimes find myself wallowing here. Most of my life has just been well, very hard. So hard not to wallow. LOL But, I am a go getter too, so try just keep busy at least and keep the mind clear.
I'll have to try those butterflies with my KLT and see how that works. Maybe I can try it in the day, right now I"m doing it at night. In case it makes me want to crash I"ll be in bed.

How much coconut oil do you add to say a cup of broth ? I mean I have some coconut oil here, but would have to buy more if I use it regular. It's expensive here, and I"m not even sure it's the best stuff.

Really appreciate all this non-ttapp off topic advice.

How long did it take you Trisch and did you use any supplement program while you were healing ?
Would you call yourself healed now ?

Should coconut oil be a solid ?

Is making the bone broths in Dr. Natasha's book ? I have her book and the other Intro book, but didn't find it when I glanced.
And so bone broth is 1. Then Good fats is 2.
So what is good fats ? Coconut oil right ? And ?
How much of good fats to consume ?
And again, could I find this elsewhere so I don't have to bother you with all these questions ?
And Trisch, you did say bought ferments like saurekraut is okay ? I have some from the store. I could start with that.
Our DAN! Doctor wanted us to start on fermented vegetables too, but I haven't had the time to start.
So your sure those three things are the best right. 1. Bone Broth (everyday? 2. Good fats (everyday and with the broth? and 3. Ferments (well, hopefully my storebought for now but ?

Now going to watch that butterfly move again and see if I can do that on my way to bed.


Thanks again,
~Rita

[just7]

My remarks are in red.

Ahh Jennifer I can second that! I need my army of girls here (well, sure would like them back that is
I know you miss them, Rita. Hugs. Trust that they are where they need to be right now...just as you are where you need to be right now. hard, I know.

Okay ladies, then bone broth it is. (have never even bought a bone from a butcher, so I don't look like a horses *** (I wouldn't say it in real life either what should I ask for ? And if I get a supply just freeze them and use one at a time ?

You can ask for soup bones or knuckle bones. Another thing you can do is just get a whole chicken when they are on sale and then roast it. After picking off the meat you can boil down the bones. In Dr. Natasha's book (The Gut and Phsiology (sp??) Syndrome book) she goes into detail about how to do that.

I can sometimes find myself wallowing here. Most of my life has just been well, very hard. So hard not to wallow. LOL But, I am a go getter too, so try just keep busy at least and keep the mind clear.
I agree!! It is very hard not to wallow!!! ((Hug)) I don't consider myself a "go getter" so I admire that ability in the face of wanting to wallow.

How much coconut oil do you add to say a cup of broth ? I mean I have some coconut oil here, but would have to buy more if I use it regular. It's expensive here, and I"m not even sure it's the best stuff.
Start with what you have, Rita. Don't stress over this. Even some olive oil added to the broth will be a good addition. You don't even have to add anything as it has some good fats all on it's own. Start out with a tsp of coconut oil and build up to a TB. I think a good rule of thumb is to work up to 4 TB of Coconut oil a day. I am getting it from Amazon on the Subscribe and Save feature. I have it set for 6 months. Nutiva brand. Solid is good.


Is making the bone broths in Dr. Natasha's book ? I have her book and the other Intro book, but didn't find it when I glanced.
And so bone broth is 1. Then Good fats is 2.
So what is good fats ? Coconut oil right ? And ? Olive oil, ghee (I bought some organic butter and I'm going to do what Dr. Natasha recommended and make my own ghee...I can't buy it here. I'm hoping that I can find some raw milk soon and then use the cream and make our own butter again).