Hi there. Not sure if we can revive this site or not. I have low cortisol plus EBV since contracting glandular fever. I've been sick for over half my life now, with fatigue being the most dominating symptom. I was on small doses of hydrocortisone at one stage and it helped. Unfortunately it increased my heart arrhythmia and I had to go off it. My story is so long and I have tried so many things that I wouldn't know where to start. Ashwaghanda is good for the adrenals. Korean ginseng also good...the black concentrated paste. I should be taking them again but I have stopped taking everything for a while.
I know reishi is good for immune support and olive leaf also good. Was taking them years back. You have reminded me again. Thanks. I haven't been taking any probiotics either. Will get it together. I am doing a vegie juice fast for two days this weekend. I know I will be weaker but need to detox. Hope I get through. Will catch up with you. Sorry you are so ill. I understand. Sending love and healing to you. Diane xo

Hi！ How long have you had glandular fever？ I know people get better, but it seems like the success stories I here involve a total lifestyle change. I am committed to do that and I will not be working full time from now on. It also seems like people who stay sick take meds, which I know are toxic and only a short term benefit, but long term make us sicker. It is hard for people who have to work full time, no wonder so many stay sick.

Before I forget, before I came down with glandular fever I was taking korean ginsing, maca, rhodiola, for a year. That and a lot of acerola berry vit C - like 7-10 grams a day. This all lead to low cortisol levels. I also read that taking high volumes of vit C can deplete your minerals. I read several posts on how these adaptogens all lower cortisol. I can only go by my own cortisol readings - which were poor. So I am staying away from all of them and keep the vit C down to 2-3 grams a day now. I promise to keep you all updated on progress. We need hope here, all of us. Anyone who responds is going to be added to my prayer list to get full healing. Thank you Diane for your kind response, and I pray for a full recovery for you.

Hi again . Thankyou for your kind words. I don't believe that Rhodiola or any of the Ginsengs cause the low cortisol. They do not drain the cortisol as they are adaptogenic herbs which balance the endocrine system. I'm married to a Herbalist. He was actually the administrator for a natural Therapies College here and also lectured on Herbalism. He had a clinic for many years and helped many people recover from various illnesses but was unable to cure my CFS. He ended up closing his practice to look after me and our children. I used to be bedridden for up to six weeks sometimes. He had to carry me to the shower. I was convinced I was dying but here I am still. He did help me with various herbs and diet changes but I never could recover.
So I'm not as sick as I was but still too sick to live a normal life. Hugs to you. I'm very grateful for your prayers. You're a kind soul. By the way I was taking the acerola C a couple of years back.

Thank you for sharing part of your story. There is conflicting information on the rhodiola and ginseng. But I believe this is what is going on - they balance the endocrine system but this means that if your cortisol is high it will lower it, and if it is low it will balance it (meaning increase the cortisol), so to me this means that it forces the already beat up adrenals to increase cortisol production. I do know that doing those herbs for a year helped initially, but then made matters worse. Dr. Lam has a lot to say about them. I am very careful now with even licorice - I take what is called Hot Formula (has licorice in it - only taking 75 mg worth a day). I take half the recommended dose to help balance my hormones which helps me sleep much better, and keeps the amount of licorice I take down to a minimum. The naturopath had me try over the counter estrogen creme (estrogen was low - I am 51 and somewhat slender, not as slender as I was since this started I can tell you) - which I had a bad reaction to - bloating and severe weight gain in just a week time. I can tolerate the herbs much better and sleep is so important. I am feeling stronger again after spending a week on this high lysine diet, taking reishi mushroom tea (I tried the reishi tea several months ago and could not tolerate it at that time - it gave me that tired and wired feeling then), and lemonbalm tea daily, only taking the olive leaf extract 3-4 days a week, and the oil of oregano every other day - just one drop of the p73 as it is SO strong and bought stronger probiotics to take with it, and fermented foods at almost everymeal. I feel better than I have in 6 weeks. Have also been taking vit d (that was low - so is everyones I think), a natural food selenium 200mcg, (positive for hoshimotos thyroiditis), zinc, raw calcium (I only use whole vitamins - garden of life), drink dandalion tea, lots of vegetables, fruit, grass fed beef, grass fed liver, no gluten, blah blah blah - what we all try to do with the diet ( doing all of that for months now). Initially my pulse was 58-60 at rest, blood pressure lowish 101/68, temperature all over the place - 98.5 in the morning and 96.8 in the evening. Now my temperature is consistently at 98.1 or 98.2, blood pressure 113ish/68 you know how blood pressure varies, and my pulse is up around 68-72. These are all good signs for the adrenals so I am hopeful. I read about a woman who took 10 years to recover - but she did recover! You said you have been going through this for years, but I still believe in full recovery for you!

Hi there. Me again. I was taking liquorice root tea also and it was working quite well. It stopped me from feeling faint. I was mainly taking it to increase my low cortisol but eventually it raised my blood pressure too much. .I used to have low BP for many years but now it has become high. I'm a lot older than you but I went through a late menapause at 58. The gyno said is was genetic...same trip with my mother. Anyway, I had saliva tests and did use the bioidentical progesterone for a period of time. I was also low in Testosterone. I tested low in Vit D also and took that for a period of time.
I have been vegetarian now for 43yrs. I was concerned about that possibly being a contributing factor to my CFS, , but no longer consider that. The majority of peoole with CFS are meat eaters. I eat a healthy diet. I do need to cut out sugar again though, even though I consume very little. I have to go as my granddaughter just arrived. Will be back later. Hugs Di.

Back again. I am interested in natural therapies like you are, so I'm enjoying looking at your treatment plan. I did get to a point where I just stopped taking things. I also found it difficult taking too many things. I am considering going back on my adrenal fatigue herbal formula. In a fluid extract. It does have Rhodiola Rosea, and Korean Ginseng, Astragalus, Wild Yam, Withania, Rehmannia and usually Liquorice Root but might leave out. Many herbalists consider it the best Herbal formula for adrenal fatigue. I have Ashwaghanda powder here also and need to start taking it also...especially for sleep. I've slacked off on magnesium and just started again. I need to go back on calcium also. I'm wicked for neglecting my probiotics. Thanks for reminding me.
I do drink dandelion coffee too but it's an instant one from the health store. I used to cook up the root but can't get it together. I know reishi is excellent for immune function. My husband gave it to me for quite a while but ages ago. I'm sure I still need it. Catch up again later. Hugs and healing Di

Looks like we have this post going again! Even if it's just the 2 of us for now! Hopefully we can help eachother. Anyhow I like hearing about what you are trying too. I had been taking probiotics but only recently added the fermented foods and took it more seriously after my "relapse". I assumed that my immune system was still down - started reading again about gut health and how most of our immune system is in the gut. I forgot to mention I take 1000mg of royal jelly for the b5, split it up into 2 doses. I too cannot take too much at once either. When I took 3000 mg of royal jelly I had a stimulatory response to it. I also tried bone broth (powdered form), and boy, did I have a bad response - it kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG - CRAZINESS. I stick to regular soup for now. For a while I stopped everything too back in the beginning - I took only the acerola berry powder, vit d, raw calcium and probiotics, dandelion extract or tea was ok. I tried nettle tea and it seemed to be too stimulating - as was the reishi tea at that time. Both reishi and nettle will lower blood glucose, so now I drink it with non-concentrated pinnaple juice, after a meal - sip on it. So far so good. It's like you have to get better to get better, you know what I mean? As for the reishi, I read it stops the epstein barr virus in it's tracks. I was taking astralgus for months - many people swear by it. However, I am not sure if it helped, if it did - it was not enough. The olive leaf extract and oregano oils are stronger - but to be honest - they may have been too strong for me earlier - so the astralgus was probably the best thing at that time and probably did help. Continuing to sleep well and feel I am getting better nutrient absorption. Did you know your tongue tells you alot about health? If your tongue is a nice pink color, it is reflective of decent nutrient absorption and gut health - my tongue had a yellowish color in the back for a while, since I started on the fermented foods with the probiotics, and I also drink about a cup of raw milk a day - my tongue is nice and pink everywhere now. I will report any progress, set backs that I have here. Hugs and healing to you Di

Back again - I just read your first post. That was interesting about CFSers mostly being meat eaters. I know the adrenals need cholesterol to make hormones - then I read our bodies should make enough cholesterol. For years before this happened, I stayed away from cheese most of the time, low fat diet, never drank milk, no fried foods, no good fats either, my diet was not varied enough, I would have a spinach salad with chicken and rice for lunch - every day the same thing! Since this happened I started eating healthy fats. Tried coconut oil the first month and could not digest it. Good response to avocado, and started adding it to most of my meals. Raw milk I have to drink 1/2 cup at a time, sip slow and warm it up in my mouth before I swallow it - and this works well. Hugs - Suzie

Diane - just read your other post in the CFS group section. Bless you!!! You have been going through this from 28-64 years. I just started with my issues at 51 years old. You are so brave to keep going and trying and having hope.... I have had to use a scooter when I am out, not all the time, but rather than pushing and getting weaker I use it. My mom and I just went to Hawaii using wheel chair service at the airport and a scooter at the resort. I actually was able to enjoy myself! The trip was planned months ago, I had assumed I would be better but was not yet... I was grateful there was still a way to be outside and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Hey Suzie. That's my little sister's name. Well it's Susan but I call her Suzie. She lives in Melbourne and holds meditation sessions at her home. She does Psychic readings for a living and is booked out for months ahead. She's a real kind hearted girl. Onto her third husband now.lol! Says she still loves them all though. Her husband does Reiki and is also trained in hypnotherapy. When she has a birthday or some other celebration, all her ex husbands and children are invited and they all turn up. Amazingly everyone gets on well.
Love avocado. I eat it daily. I aso tried coconut oil for hormones and I couldn't stomach it very well. I do drink coconut water a lot for hydration. There are just so many things to try aren't there. It's hard to know sometimes if things are working or not. It's complicated. Listening to our bodies and observing reactions is very important. I agree with you about the gut being of major importance. I know mine is still not good and a lot of problems stem from it.
That's wonderful that you made it to Hawaii. I've never been but have an old friend who lives on the big Island. I find it inspiring that you were able to go despite your physical limitations. My husband keeps telling me that we need a holiday but I freak out about my body and feel hesitant. Hearing about your skooter made me smile. I need to change my mental programming and be braver. The last time I went anywhere was about ten yrs ago and it was only back to Bali. Been there heaps of times. Anyway I ended up bedridden for 8 days and felt devastated. I lost my confidence to try again. I always wanted to go back to India ,but same trip..too sick and scared of picking up something extra. Wouldn't mind going back to Thailand and having lots of massage and body work. Just the flight alone wipes me out. Such a bummer being sick. I'm really down today because I've crashed again. So much life wasted. Oh dear..need to shift my headspace. All I can feel is my weak body. Hugs Di.

I understand, travel is exhausting. Have you considered going somewhere closer, a shorter flight maybe? I am a disney vacation club member. All of the resorts at disneyworld are wonderfully wheelchair accesible. Maybe you are close to Florida? You can rent points and stay at their resorts, several of them have spas. My sister lives in Ohio, and flying from there is only 2.5 hours. My husband and I live in WA. The trip to Hawaii was tiring for me, but it was so good to get out, to feel free again! You know how this thing traps us in our bodies. You have been in this fight for a long time, I hope you decide to go on a trip! I am a healthcare professional, and not working now of course, but I always would encourage my patient's to find a way to enjoy their situation - I am taking my own advice now. Driving the scooter was fun! I would rather walk but since I can't, I will have fun with it. I am recovering from the trip now, but it was worth it!
There are a lot of things to try you are right, and I have read enough to know that something different works for everyone. No wonder it is so hard to improve! It is hard to do better and crash again, I am with you Diane! One thing I know, is that improving is not likely without good gut health, so I pray you keep up those probiotics and I will too! Hugs! Suzie (neat your little sister has same name! :)

Hey Suzie..I'm waaay down here in Australia lol! In Cairns, North Queensland. Living in the hot tropics. Land of the coconuts and crocodiles.lol! Hugs

Hey Diane, wow!! Holy cow! Good for you!! I bet you get lots of sun there!

Hi again - I bet Australia is beautiful! Hopefully you get to the shore from time to time. I am going to the doctor's office on Friday to see if I am still positive for mono. Going to try and get on disability over here - will get a lawyer to help me. Just cannot work and do not see this changing for a while. I cannot even work part time yet - only able to sit up for an hour at a time at the computer, can only walk for about 1 minute with no asssitive device without needing to sit, can only stand for about 30-60 seconds at a time. I wish I could work - I make a good living in healthcare! Not complaining just stating facts here. I am sure many others have the same story. I am so glad you have your husband to take care of you! My husband is not in good health either - he is doing ok in the stock market but we are not in a position to take money out right now without loosing money. We are currently borrowing money from my mother and this needs to stop. Hugs! Suzie