I called my Dr. today to make sure it was okay to take the adrenal supplement and he said no. I don't know what to do now, I do think it was making me feel better, but Ali you said I should check with my Dr. and now i am confused about what to do. I am having a hard time today, where is everyone? I am getting so attached to all of you, you help me so much. L
IIh,
Why did your MD say no? What did he tell you about it? Any information you have to share with us?
Also, you're going to have good days and bad days throughout this -- maybe today is just a bad day. You can do this - you can get over the hump.
Let me know if you want to chat,
SP
Why did your MD say no? What did he tell you about it? Any information you have to share with us?
Also, you're going to have good days and bad days throughout this -- maybe today is just a bad day. You can do this - you can get over the hump.
Let me know if you want to chat,
SP
IIh, Listen to your doctor. All of us here can only offer you advice as to what has worked for us but in the long run it is up to you and your doctor to figure out what is right for you. Good luck. Shantel
Please listen to your MD. Don't take advice from someone who has no medical knowledge or training.
This is your life you're talking about.
This is your life you're talking about.
Also, did he offer any suggestions for how to help with your energy?
And you're not back to square one, by the way.
Just take a deep breath and you can figure someting else out (and we're here to help you).
SP
And you're not back to square one, by the way.
Just take a deep breath and you can figure someting else out (and we're here to help you).
SP
My doctor basically said it wouldn't help anything. he didn't seem to be aware that pain medicine suppresses the adrenal gland at all. He is a regular MD not a withdrawl specialist. He helped me with a taper because he is my Dr. but he hasn't seemed very helpful or knowledgeable through this otherwise, that is why I am basically on my own with it. He hasn't ever offered any natural alternatives to me for anything. I don't think that is his thing. Trouble is now that he said no I am afraid to do it and I do think it was helping. I just had to have the nurse ask him about it so I didn't get to ask him directly about whether it would hurt anything.
Hey llh...could be that you were experiencing a "placebo" effect if in fact you thought you were feeling a bit better. Funny how are minds will play tricks. You need to listen to your Doctor period. Have you been completely honest with him? Maybe you need to ask more specific questions, or get another medical opinion.
Glad your here...hang on..your getting there!
Glad your here...hang on..your getting there!
Listen to Sharon IIh...at some point we do have to trust that our drs just might know better. If you want to go to the time and money, you could ask for a second opinion but personally? I've never heard of that kind of supplement helping with withdrawals and I've done this dance for a very long time....
IIh,
Supplements aside, I think it is important for you to see a psychiatrist or another doctor who will help you more with this situation. Someone who has more experience in this area and can help get you on track biochemically. I can't remember - do you have insurance? Sometimes major hospitals have sliding scales for services and if you can't afford to see someone regularly, you can alwayas have an intake/consult and bring back their suggestions to your regular MD. Or get a different MD who will offer alternatives (and not necessarily natural ones) to help get you on the right course.
If you don't mind me asking, what medications are you taking right now?
Best,
SP
Supplements aside, I think it is important for you to see a psychiatrist or another doctor who will help you more with this situation. Someone who has more experience in this area and can help get you on track biochemically. I can't remember - do you have insurance? Sometimes major hospitals have sliding scales for services and if you can't afford to see someone regularly, you can alwayas have an intake/consult and bring back their suggestions to your regular MD. Or get a different MD who will offer alternatives (and not necessarily natural ones) to help get you on the right course.
If you don't mind me asking, what medications are you taking right now?
Best,
SP
20mg prozac (I have taken it every other day for years for PMS)
Lipitor 10mg daily for cholerserol
Maxalt occasionally for migrane, which is what the pain meds started out for
I was taking 10 Ambien for a year and never had any problem with it, my dr. said to keep taking it, but I have been scared to after hearing everything about it.
I have been taking 1mg ativan at bedtime instead for a little over a month.
Lipitor 10mg daily for cholerserol
Maxalt occasionally for migrane, which is what the pain meds started out for
I was taking 10 Ambien for a year and never had any problem with it, my dr. said to keep taking it, but I have been scared to after hearing everything about it.
I have been taking 1mg ativan at bedtime instead for a little over a month.
The other option (again, I need to make it clear that I'm not not dispensing medical advice) could be in increasing your prozac. If your serotonin levels are stabilized on that dose before all of this happened, your threshold might be different right now - with the withdrawals, the depression - you might need to increase the prozac to rebalance your biochemistry.
That might be something to think about.
But I can't stress enough going to see another doctor and laying everything out to them and seeing what they suggest as a plan of care. It seems like right now you're flailing around looking for information and a solution, but there's no one there who can give it to you (not even a doctor, but at least they can help lay out a plan based on your needs and what you want).
Is this being helpful at all or am I just being a pain in the a**.../
That might be something to think about.
But I can't stress enough going to see another doctor and laying everything out to them and seeing what they suggest as a plan of care. It seems like right now you're flailing around looking for information and a solution, but there's no one there who can give it to you (not even a doctor, but at least they can help lay out a plan based on your needs and what you want).
Is this being helpful at all or am I just being a pain in the a**.../
God honey...
This is your typical Medical Dr against the Homeopth or naturopath...
Does he know why you wanted to take them? Does he know youve been an abuser of narcs?
If one of his patients called and just asked and he has no reason to think shed have a problem then of course hed say no...you dont need it...
Honey...when i say to check with your Dr, its because some people have allergies, or are on medications that may not work so well together...i didnt mean to just call and ask permission like that..just see if it interferes with anything your on or can be dangerous due to your healthy history...lolol ,,maybe soul pincics posts had you a little worried????
Its like when i say that the B6,B12 or a B complex vitamins really work, then next time you go, check with your Dr, tell him your on theml..he should know...
But they are not dangerous...as a matter of fact only vitamin ADEK are the vitamins that we have to be careful for as they dont get excreted in our urine..
Honey, the adrenal support really helped a lot of people here, me included when i was withdrawing...havent been on them since i recovered...but none the less
IF he doesnt KNOW anything about narcotic addiction then you have to take that into account with his NO..
Didnt he even explain his NO?????
Anything in extremem amounts can be harmful, adrenals included..but come on...to use it for a short time to stimulate your adrenals to work properly again is NOt a bad thing...
I dont like the sounds of your Dr if he didnt even give you a reason...
Its your call...if it was me, and i knew that my Dr is just one of those agaianst taking supplements of any kind..and they are out there...and if the supplement was making me feel better...i personally would take it anyway....
If you have a Naturopath,you can go and get a blood test....its up to you..
Soul Picnic is a nice nurse and seems worried about all this adrenal stuff, and thats her opuinion and shes entiteled to it, but the fact is, it has helped many people...and in small doses taken as directed cant hurt you unless you are mixing some RXed drug that may have interaction problems...
Nurses everywhere will say dont take it, those that have had success with it would say take itl....
You could always get an addiction specialist advise....maybe by phone?
Its going to have to be your informed call.....you know all the facts..does your Dr????????
Hugs
Ali
PS Forgot...i just remember that when i went to my dr and told him i was on the adrenal support and had added the L-tyrosine cus i read they do that at plush rehabs, he laughed at me....dont think he gave it much credibility, but I dont have any regrets, and wasnt really surprised by his results....the addiction Dr knew and had given me 100% approval so to ME thats what was more important......Again honey...a call YOU have to make,......NO one else ...
This is your typical Medical Dr against the Homeopth or naturopath...
Does he know why you wanted to take them? Does he know youve been an abuser of narcs?
If one of his patients called and just asked and he has no reason to think shed have a problem then of course hed say no...you dont need it...
Honey...when i say to check with your Dr, its because some people have allergies, or are on medications that may not work so well together...i didnt mean to just call and ask permission like that..just see if it interferes with anything your on or can be dangerous due to your healthy history...lolol ,,maybe soul pincics posts had you a little worried????
Its like when i say that the B6,B12 or a B complex vitamins really work, then next time you go, check with your Dr, tell him your on theml..he should know...
But they are not dangerous...as a matter of fact only vitamin ADEK are the vitamins that we have to be careful for as they dont get excreted in our urine..
Honey, the adrenal support really helped a lot of people here, me included when i was withdrawing...havent been on them since i recovered...but none the less
IF he doesnt KNOW anything about narcotic addiction then you have to take that into account with his NO..
Didnt he even explain his NO?????
Anything in extremem amounts can be harmful, adrenals included..but come on...to use it for a short time to stimulate your adrenals to work properly again is NOt a bad thing...
I dont like the sounds of your Dr if he didnt even give you a reason...
Its your call...if it was me, and i knew that my Dr is just one of those agaianst taking supplements of any kind..and they are out there...and if the supplement was making me feel better...i personally would take it anyway....
If you have a Naturopath,you can go and get a blood test....its up to you..
Soul Picnic is a nice nurse and seems worried about all this adrenal stuff, and thats her opuinion and shes entiteled to it, but the fact is, it has helped many people...and in small doses taken as directed cant hurt you unless you are mixing some RXed drug that may have interaction problems...
Nurses everywhere will say dont take it, those that have had success with it would say take itl....
You could always get an addiction specialist advise....maybe by phone?
Its going to have to be your informed call.....you know all the facts..does your Dr????????
Hugs
Ali
PS Forgot...i just remember that when i went to my dr and told him i was on the adrenal support and had added the L-tyrosine cus i read they do that at plush rehabs, he laughed at me....dont think he gave it much credibility, but I dont have any regrets, and wasnt really surprised by his results....the addiction Dr knew and had given me 100% approval so to ME thats what was more important......Again honey...a call YOU have to make,......NO one else ...
Practitioner Directory
i got this web site form a book called natural cures by KEVIN TRUDEL...
have you ever seen him on TV........
well in the back of his book is many many great web sites to research and learn.
i hope this may help you because i am going to find a Naturopath myself....
**** i would listen to your doctor.......
but it may help to find a doctor that has another way of thinking..........
i got this web site form a book called natural cures by KEVIN TRUDEL...
have you ever seen him on TV........
well in the back of his book is many many great web sites to research and learn.
i hope this may help you because i am going to find a Naturopath myself....
**** i would listen to your doctor.......
but it may help to find a doctor that has another way of thinking..........
Thumper,
great link to Naturopath...llh i explained in the adrenal thread about the differences in belief between regular Drs and alternative Drs?
Please read what i wrote about the homeocysteine test....thats a perfect example..The two will NEVER agree...
Your a big girl and a smart one...you'll do what instinctively is right for you...Im just sorry ,,you didnt need this to happen and cause you more stress....
Hugs
Ali
great link to Naturopath...llh i explained in the adrenal thread about the differences in belief between regular Drs and alternative Drs?
Please read what i wrote about the homeocysteine test....thats a perfect example..The two will NEVER agree...
Your a big girl and a smart one...you'll do what instinctively is right for you...Im just sorry ,,you didnt need this to happen and cause you more stress....
Hugs
Ali
I'm not against it - I'm not against anything. I'm just FOR information. And I'm for things that have evidence to back it up, that's all. I don't care what it is. And I also think that every thing I have said up to this point has been to make sure that you get all of the information that you can that will help you make a decision, and that because we know so little about the homeopathic/naturopathic stuff, we don't always know what interactions they can have with medications that people are taking (anti-depressants, cholestrol medications, hypertension medications, etc), but there are ways to find theis information and if you're going to do it you need to do it in conjunction with both medicine and homeopathy or you could really get hurt. I don't know if you read my other post on the other re: adrenal support, I think I made that pretty clear. I'm not pushing an agenda, and I am absolutely open minded about the various ways that we can heal, but safety is always my number one concern, whether it be in medicine or otherwise.... I just want to make that very clear.
Just to clarify, here is my post from the other adrenal support topic:
---
Ok, so I did a bunch of reading on this today (beacuse I'm supposed to be studying for midterms) and basically here's the thing. It is not widely accepted in the medical community that opiate abuse can cause what naturopaths refer to as "adrenal fatigue". It is, however, a very relied upon philosophy in hollistic medicine, but there is no hard data (which isn't surprising, because scientists don't spend a lot of time on homeopathic research yet) to support adrenal fatigue or adrenal insufficiency as a result of opiod abuse (even though there may be validity to it). Additionally, adrenal insufficiency, a medical condition characterized by decreased cortisol production (either primary - as in addison's disease, or secondary to long term HIV, etc) is a clinical diagnosis that can be made through blood testing. So, as usual, the medical community and the homeopathic community differ in their opinioins about not only "conditions" but about their management.
A few things I have to say.
1. If you think you have a medical problem, or something that you are considering using homeopathic therapies for, make sure you have whatever diagnostic testing that needs to be done to see if that's what's actually going on.
2. If you are considering naturopathic or homeopathic treatments, there are long lists (that your doctor should have) of drug-herbal interactions, and you need to make sure you check with those before you proceed with supplements.
3. Additionally, if you have any pre-existing medical concerns (ie, liver disorders, kidney disorders), just like with any other medication, you need to check if herbal supplements are processed and metabolized through these systems, or it could possibly exacerbate any decreased functioning or medical condition.
4. I really believe that you should try whatever you think will work for you, whether its herbal or medical, but again, that you should have as much information at hand before you make these decisions.
That's just me. I'm not trying to preach, and I'm also not saying this "as a nurse" because that would actually be pretty irresponsible of me to come at this as "this is what nurses think". This is what I learned, this is what I know, this is what I believe. You ask for 2 cents, I give you a dollar :)
Feel free to disagree.
---
Ok, so I did a bunch of reading on this today (beacuse I'm supposed to be studying for midterms) and basically here's the thing. It is not widely accepted in the medical community that opiate abuse can cause what naturopaths refer to as "adrenal fatigue". It is, however, a very relied upon philosophy in hollistic medicine, but there is no hard data (which isn't surprising, because scientists don't spend a lot of time on homeopathic research yet) to support adrenal fatigue or adrenal insufficiency as a result of opiod abuse (even though there may be validity to it). Additionally, adrenal insufficiency, a medical condition characterized by decreased cortisol production (either primary - as in addison's disease, or secondary to long term HIV, etc) is a clinical diagnosis that can be made through blood testing. So, as usual, the medical community and the homeopathic community differ in their opinioins about not only "conditions" but about their management.
A few things I have to say.
1. If you think you have a medical problem, or something that you are considering using homeopathic therapies for, make sure you have whatever diagnostic testing that needs to be done to see if that's what's actually going on.
2. If you are considering naturopathic or homeopathic treatments, there are long lists (that your doctor should have) of drug-herbal interactions, and you need to make sure you check with those before you proceed with supplements.
3. Additionally, if you have any pre-existing medical concerns (ie, liver disorders, kidney disorders), just like with any other medication, you need to check if herbal supplements are processed and metabolized through these systems, or it could possibly exacerbate any decreased functioning or medical condition.
4. I really believe that you should try whatever you think will work for you, whether its herbal or medical, but again, that you should have as much information at hand before you make these decisions.
That's just me. I'm not trying to preach, and I'm also not saying this "as a nurse" because that would actually be pretty irresponsible of me to come at this as "this is what nurses think". This is what I learned, this is what I know, this is what I believe. You ask for 2 cents, I give you a dollar :)
Feel free to disagree.
I have addisons disease (also known as Adrenal Insifficiency), which happily is easily treated.
If someone had an underperforming adrenal gland then it would show up on testing. The main function of the adrenal glands is to regulate the stress response through the making of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol (adrenal cortex) and adrenaline (adrenal medulla)
It would be pretty easy to prove or disprove this concept of "adrenal fatigue."
If someone had an underperforming adrenal gland then it would show up on testing. The main function of the adrenal glands is to regulate the stress response through the making of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol (adrenal cortex) and adrenaline (adrenal medulla)
It would be pretty easy to prove or disprove this concept of "adrenal fatigue."
Ali...I see an addiction specialist who is also an MD. Not once, in 3 years did he ever mention adrenal fatigue. Is it a common thing? He suggested supplements for all kings of ailments but never that and none of them did much for me. Although, to be fair, I maybe didn't try them for long enough. I was still in that instant gratification mode.
Well i called a pharmacist and told him everything I take and he said the adrenal support shouldn't interact with anything I am taking. He said it won't help with epinephrine production but may make a difference with the cortisol. He didn't suggest taking it long term because it could have effects like prednisone. I really think It was making me feel better. I didn't take my second one last night because of what the Dr. said and I didn't take it this morning and I feel like the walking dead. My legs feel heavy and I have no energy. I guess the main thing I need to know from someone is if it will hurt me if my levels aren't really low. I have know idea what tests I would ask for or even where to go, since my Dr. wasn't into it. I live in a very small town. If it won't hurt me ....just maybe not help... then I want to try it for a few more days. I really thought I felt a difference and now am in a good position to tell having stopped.
SP and Ali, I really appreciate both of you and everyone who posted. L
SP and Ali, I really appreciate both of you and everyone who posted. L
Please give your body time to heal before you start putting more garbage into it. Ok, maybe not all of it is garbage but give your body a chance to go back to the way it was before you started taking whatever it is you are detoxing from. How will you ever know what shape you are in if you don't let your body clean itself out first? Before you start fixing it, find out what's wrong with it. There's a damn good chance all you need is time to heal.