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Made an interesting discovery last night, which I call the Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. It has to do with the depletion of the bodyÕs resources due to the adrenal response. Basically due to the need to fulfill obligations Ð childrearing, job, even fun Ð Body secretes the amount of adrenaline necessary for the task, which then engages any available resource to get the job done. Under normal circumstances with plenty of energy and plenty of resources, these vital fluids are replaced as rapidly as they are depleted. However under exceptional circumstance the adrenal response depletes BodyÕs resources more rapidly than they are produced. Then, depending on oneÕs internal makeup, one or more of these vital juices runs out and there is not enough to do the job of maintaining BodyÕs functions and something breaks down. This could result in lack of mental clarity Ð which frequently results in inefficiencies and accidents. It could also lead to a physical breakdown of a specific part, i.e. organs, skin, teeth or joints, when they donÕt get enough of the trace elements they need to function properly. The depletion of Adrenaline itself is used by Body to maintain tendon and ligament health. Hence a shortage of adrenaline leads to muscle strain, back pain, and joint problems of one variety or another. Plus with the depletion of adrenaline there is a general lack of energy resulting in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There is not even enough vitality to enjoy day-to-day life Ð a good laugh, an interesting book, or participate in an animated conversation.
How did I come upon this widespread phenomenon? K, a childhood friend, sold his house at the age of 57 and retired to the Olympic Peninsula. Because of chronic back problems he regularly went to a chiropractor for adjustments. His new chiropractor said that chronic back problems are frequently the result of adrenal fatigue because of the aforementioned reasons. This set me to thinking.
Then during our trip I went through a roller coaster of emotions, as mentioned in the above journal entries. This in and of itself is not that unusual except that one of the emotions was associated with extreme fatigue combined with dizziness and lack of vitality. Brain suggested that it was the first stages of some kind of cancer but I hopefully chalked it up to recovery from a cold. Simultaneously my left ankle followed by my left knee and then my other knee had a relapse to where I had been after my injury more than a year ago. Again I chalked it up to overuse as we probably walked some 20 to 30 miles in the week we were there. However there were some unusual and contradictory factoids to confound my theories.
First I felt virtually no pain in my legs when we were walking. It was all after the fact. There were no indications of overuse, which was certainly part of the problem Ð no warning signs. Second my feelings of fatigue would vanish when engaged with my daughters or friends walking, talking, eating or drinking cappuccino and wine. This irregularity was particularly disturbing because it was so unpredictable. I would think I was fine and then, whoosh!, all my energy would evaporate as if I was a balloon, which had been popped.
By the time I arrived home I began to recover from the dizzy spells and began feeling somewhat normal. As my regular vitality returned I had the insight as I was meditating at the magical time of sunset. I realized that my adrenal response had allowed me to be my normal laughing, chatty, insightful, obnoxious self when that was required. However when that time was passed I collapsed without the adrenaline to prop me up. Further because my ligaments werenÕt getting the proper adrenal nourishment they relapsed.
I then reflected upon my work. Just before I left on my vacation I had 3 excruciating shifts Ð a 9 hour banquet, followed by a busy Saturday night, and then a wine room event on Sunday where we had to move some 60 boxes of wine at which time I strained my back. I was already depleted before even beginning my trip. Plus I had been sick, so these shifts had been based upon the adrenal response rather than my normal energy. I had been able to rise to the occasion, but was left empty of nutrients.
Then I reflected upon my last few years in the restaurant business. First I had been a manager/waiter for a few years at Citronelle before it closed. This led to a great deal of adrenal stress due to some exceptionally busy nights when I was the only one on Ð doing everything Ð opening, closing, order taking, wine service, etc. These few years culminated with my leg injury, the restaurant closing, and finding a new job while in the midst of debilitating pain. There was no break during this most difficult period in my life.
Then I had the opportunity to move from the Cask to the Ranch, which I turned down, much to the continued chagrin of my wife. At the time I thought my decision to remain had to do with pursuing my art, but it suddenly hit me that it had much more to do with feeling the need for rest. (I expected to work less shifts at the Cask.) My Body knew that due to stress and injury that she needed some time for rest and relaxation to replenish herself. Note that I didnÕt understand this at the time and so couldnÕt verbalize it.
Still deep in meditation I began to accumulate examples of adrenal stress. M, a long time waitress at the Cask, had been experiencing chronic undiagnosable foot problems, whenever she worked a lot. K, a hard working athletic director, had regular back problems. And K, an architect and one of my Tai Chi partners, had experienced excessive fatigue when having to carry the financial load when her husband was out of work. Each of these cases, although seemingly unrelated, all had the commonality of excessive stress due to the real demands of the job.
Each of us due to a heavy sense of duty and responsibility depleted our reservoir of nutrients. Due to the adrenal response we were able to perform our normal functions but were left drained in different areas probably due to genetic propensities. Although some produce an excess of adrenaline due to psychological factors in this case each of us produced the right amount to fulfill our jobs, but too much for our Body. Coffee, wine, vitamins, drugs, and food are all used to prop up the Body during this time of depletion. But there is price to pay. Eventually some part of Body hits the wall, breaks down, and then is finally given the rest that is needed.
As always I am grateful to the powers that be for leading me to this realization. Hopefully I use the insight to insure that I get the rest I need to recuperate fully from my injuries. Probably not. I tend to forget quickly. Plus my habit patterns are quite ingrained after my 57 years plus on this planet. Ah well. Maybe someone else will learn from my mistakes.