Herbal Remedies

[shellyanm]

Does anyone here use Cataplex C or Drenarophin? I am told that this can help stimulate the adrenals = has anyone had success or any bad side effects with this?

[ShannonD]

Shelly,

I have not tried either of those particular products, but they look good.  There is calcium in both, so it seems you might just take the cataplex C

I do take vitamin C and a multivitamin. Even in adrenal insufficiency, there is some life still in those adrenals, so I think it is important to support them metabolically.

Hope you are doing well.
Shannon

[Idaho Dusty]

I haven't tried either product.  FWIW:  I feel that if they really worked, doctors would be prescribing them left and right and pharmaceutical companies would be making a fortune on them.  I'd love to hear other's opinions on this.

:) Dusty

[dollsie]

Hey Dusty,

That's always my first reaction too when it comes to meds...but I think (just my opinion) that when it comes to adrenal insufficiency, there just aren't enough people with the disease. Pharmaceutical companies won't ever make money on us! I have a hunch that's why it took so long to even begin developing DuoCort. Also may be why DHEA is still OTC. I think it's really interesting that thyroid glandulars are only sold OTC after the T3/T4 have been removed, but adrenal glandulars aren't regulated at all. Probably because there are far more hypothyroid patients than AI patients! My feeling is that the perameters for what's considered "insufficient" will be widened eventually, and severe "adrenal fatigue" will actually be "early Addison's" or something like that. Then there will be enough of us for the FDA to get involved with meds for AI...they'll actually give a hoot!

That said, I know absolutely nothing about either of the products listed here! The only holistic things I've tried are large amounts of B5/B6 and Vit C. Ashwaganda root is supposed to be good for adrenal support too. I've tried glandulars (IsoCort) a couple of times too but they have echinacea and lactose in them, so that didn't work so well. Tricky for us Addisonians, since by the time we have a conclusive stim test, most of the glands are destroyed! And if it's autoimmune AD, the remaining 10% isn't long for this world, anyway...but, might as well try to support whatever's left, I guess :)

I'm kind of in that gray area with the ovaries...sex hormones are low but FSH/LH haven't gone up yet. I think it's "early" primary ovarian failure, just because all of the other issues have been target-organ specific. But for now I'll just try to support those little ladies until they putz out, too! Might as well, right?

Anyway. That's my take. Probably much more than you (or anyone) wanted to know, heehee!

Take care,
Leigh

[Idaho Dusty]

Hey Leigh,

I agree with you whole heartedly about extending the parameters of Addison's, no money for pharmaceutical companies to help us out and supporting what's organs we've got left.

As a former hippie chick that wouldn't go to doctors for anything for 15 years, I wanted to believe in natural supplements like Isocort and Duocort.  I tried them.  No dice.  Did nothing for me except cost LOTS of money.  We're all different and I hope that formulated supplements work for others!  I think what helps the most when sick or healthy is sleeping regularly, eating well, cleanly and regularly, taking a multivitamin and avoiding chemicals whenever possible.

Your "little ladies" comment made me laugh!  I'll never think of my ovaries the same way again!!

:) Dusty

[shellyanm]

The chinese medication seems to make me feel even better and brings my blood pressure up a little. My bp is 117 with the reg meds, the HC and the FL. but with the cataplex C and drenatrophin it brings it up to 124 which is where I was prior to getting sick. So I feel better there. But I have to watch it and see if this really helps. If there is nothing wrong with it, and it can really rebuild the adrenals then that would be great for us. Gives us hope to get stronger with it. It is supposed to kick the adrenals into gear by stimulating it. Let's see...

[ShannonD]

I too agree whole heartedly about expanding criteria for addisons.  Or even recognizing adrenal fatigue.  The naturopaths, DC's, etc have it all laid out the 7 stages of adrenal fatigue--->insufficiency.  

I see that Dr. F does research on chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome and HC.  (ie is CFIS, adrenal fatigue?)....and there are some docs here and in UK who research fibromyalgia and thyroid, (specifically T3 replacement)  

If you go to the doctor, and say you are depressed, do they measure a serotonin level before they decide to put you on prozac??? If you have pain do they measure your endorphin level before they put you on vicodin?? Do they measure GABA before they prescribe ambien? Do they have to have a positive mucous culture before they treat your sinus infection with antibiotics?  etc, etc, etc.  

I am not saying to do away with testing......but what the *#%* happened to clinical diagnosis.  Or combining people's "borderline" labs with the clinical picture.

Speaking of drugs......I would be happy if they could manufacture a better florinef.  Maybe not possible, but wouldn't it be great if they tried....so we didn't have to drink salt water daily.....I feel like a fish;)

For that matter a more bioidentical HC that was a transdermal patch might be swell.(or maybe I wouldn't swell as much)

Little rant.....I could go on.
S

[Idaho Dusty]

Well said!  I agree!!!

:)