Adrenal fatigue syndrome has emerged as one of many chronic illnesses in the past several decades. Symptoms stem from the exhaustion of the adrenal glands due to prolonged stress – from persistent fatigue and sleep troubles to brain fog, mood swings, and weakened immunity (leading to dozens of other chronic symptoms).

The methods I use to address adrenal fatigue syndrome apply widely to various chronic conditions. If you’re experiencing symptoms of any chronic illness, this blog will be helpful to you. (Unsure if you have a chronic illness? Check out the quiz here).

I learned the hard way that although not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, adrenal fatigue syndrome is a real condition. I also discovered that it is possible to recover from it permanently, often without the need to remain on any drugs or hormones.

How I healed from Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

In my early 30’s, I began to experience extreme fatigue, accompanied by a laundry list of symptoms including brain fog, sleep struggles, pain, anxiety, allergies, frequent colds and sore throat, gut issues and more.

Little did I know that it would take me almost a decade to get feeling “ok” again, and almost 15 years before I recovered permanently and felt “great” again. I’m hoping that this blog will help others so that they don’t have to stay stuck in symptoms of adrenal fatigue for years like I did!

I remember my frustration and anxiety when my family doctor’s tests labeled me “normal,” insinuating my symptoms were “all in my head”. Seeking answers, another doctor suggested depression. Though I wasn’t feeling depressed when I went to see her initially, her verdict made me feel hopeless, and bouts of depression soon followed!

Clarity emerged with a third doctor’s diagnosis, or so I thought: Addison’s disease. I felt a mix of relief with sorrow – a life reliant on hydrocortisone (a steroid) wasn’t something I wanted, yet prospects of improvement gave me hope. However my steroid journey led to worsening symptoms and sent me continuing my search for answers.

Now three years after my symptoms began, I pursued help again, this time guided to a functional medical expert in chronic illness. He confirmed that I in fact did not have Addison’s disease and instead his comprehensive approach uncovered a dual diagnoses: adrenal fatigue syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). While treatments converged, the focus honed in on healing adrenal fatigue syndrome, often alleviating CFS symptoms.

Amid the struggle of my massive list of symptoms, I started to feel better slowly but surely. Through dietary adjustments and supplementation including adrenal cell extracts and hormones, I noticed gradual improvements over the next 3 years. I also managed to ween myself off of the hormones and cell extracts.

Although I felt “ok” most of the time, I lived in avoidance of many things, dodging certain foods, chemicals, Wi-Fi signals, stressful situations and more. Back then, I thought finding relief in “safe” spaces was true health. But I’ve come to realize that genuine well-being means thriving in any setting.

My health took a turn for the worse during my pregnancy, at age 44. A small uterine fibroid I had when I got pregnant grew to the size of a basketball during my pregnancy.

Following my son’s birth, my symptoms spiralled. A “mysterious” rash kept me awake many hours each night, I felt anxiety and newfound nervousness (suddenly, highways terrified me despite my past love for long drives). Fatigue, neck and shoulder pain, and digestive issues compounded. Chemical sensitivities got so bad I had to stay indoors many days.

I now know that if we do not heal the root of chronic illness, our brain and nervous system – and the patterns that our brain learns when we are sick, chronic illness will rear its head again at the next big stress in our life. In my case, pregnancy was the stress (stress can take the form in a physical stress). These chronic symptoms lasted over 3 years until I discovered brain rewiring.

Addressing the root cause of adrenal fatigue syndrome

Although there were definitely some lifestyle and holistic modalities that helped me regain a sense of normalcy (which I will share below), what ended up making my recovery not only faster but also permanent in the end was a combined approach: engaging my brain, autonomic nervous system (ANS), and a tailored healing plan that intertwined both brain rewiring with holistic practices.

I discovered first hand that addressing the symptoms of chronic health issues such as adrenal fatigue syndrome without tackling their root cause often yields temporary relief or living in avoidance of the things that regularly trigger the illness.

This is because when we live in avoidance of triggers, we are continually giving the message of “danger” to the brain, which keeps us locked in some level of illness. We need to train our brain not to react to any food or environmental stimuli such as mould, chemicals, EMF’s, emotional situations or any form of stress (for a list of stressors that can cause chronic illness, check out my blog, Your brain’s response to stress has made you sick).

That being said, there are some holistic modalities that can greatly help to lessen the symptoms of adrenal fatigue syndrome and other chronic illnesses, which you can start to implement right away:

Getting Good Sleep: Quality sleep is non-negotiable. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a soothing bedtime routine such as meditation or any other relaxing activity, and creating an environment conducive to rest will help prepare you for a better slumber.

Healing Nutrition: Nourish your body with nutrient-dense and brain-healing foods that provide sustained energy. Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Steer clear of excessive caffeine and refined sugars that can exacerbate adrenal stress. (Note: there are no “one size fits all” diets that work for everyone, therefore a tailored diet is crucial when healing.)

Stress Management: Stress-relief practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, or chi gong promote emotional well-being and calm the nervous system, allowing your adrenals to rest.

Laughter: When you laugh, stress decreases and all the mechanisms in your body relax. When the body is relatively free of stress, even during brief moments, the adrenals are much freer to mend and rebuild.

Social Connections: When you connect with others, your body responds in kind, releasing feel-good chemicals that promote relaxation and joy. (If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know I talk a lot about the connection between elevated emotions and improved health!)

Anxiety Training Programs
Anxiety Training Programs

Healing from adrenal fatigue syndrome and chronic illness IS possible. If you have 6 or more symptoms on the quiz page  and are interested in delving deeper into how I can assist you in overcoming these symptoms, I would be happy to have a conversation with you. Together, we can determine if the Rewire Your Brain (RYB) Transformational Coaching Program  is the right fit for you and if not, what might help you to address these symptoms. 

Healing from adrenal fatigue syndrome and chronic illness IS possible. If you have 6 or more symptoms on the quiz page  and are interested in delving deeper into how I can assist you in overcoming these symptoms, I would be happy to have a conversation with you. Together, we can determine if the Rewire Your Brain (RYB) Transformational Coaching Program  is the right fit for you and if not, what might help you to address these symptoms.

Disclaimer

The content in this website is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or advice Please consult a physical or other health care provider if you are unsure about whether you have any of the conditions described in this website.

Contact

Contact Us With Any Questions

Call or Text: 613-724-0916