Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

Stress is a known trigger for adrenal fatigue and related syndromes, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia and can also bring an autoimmune disease to the surface, that is in the body but hasn't fully manifested. Thyroid diseases are some of the more common health disorders that can be triggered by stress, especially Grave's Disease/hyperthyroidism.

PTSD (Post Traumatic stress Disorder) is also a chronic stress caused syndrome and is also classified as an anxiety disorder.

I personally went through an extreme period of chronic stress and my thyroid disease, called "Hashimoto's Thyroiditis", manifested as a result as well as a severe case of adrenal fatigue. I was left untreated for these disorders for several months and as a result experienced a severe flare-up in the year 2003, that also triggered the onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I initially developed a severe case of hives and a strange viral type illness that left me with the co-occurring CFS. Afterward, the lymph nodes in my neck, remained swollen to this day and I also suffer multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).

My belief is that CFS is a syndome causing an altered HPA Axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal glands), plus altered immune system function (deficiency). I suggest to people who suspect they have adrenal fatigue, CFS or a chronic illness/disease to get their adrenal hormones and all other hormones (including the sex ones) checked as well because it is my belief that hormonal imbalances over time, can possibly result in CFS and Fibromyalgia type illnesses.

Some who read my articles or my posts on forums, may wonder why I have the passion I do for the adrenal syndrome subjects and it is because it is my belief that adrenal fatigue can eventually cause CFS and/or FMS type syndromes, when not diagnosed and treated early when suspected.

Another strong association to these type syndromes is EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus), which causes monolucleosis initially in some patients but afterward, remains in a persons body for life. This virus is suspected of having a strong connection to CFS. While most people have EBV in their system beginning in childhood (estimates are 80 to 95% of the population), most only have antibody titers to the virus, that are just barely positive, like a "5", a "10", "20" above normal, etc..., others actually have flare-ups of this virus (reactivation), probably due to a compromised immune system (immune deficiency) that causes high titers of the virus to increase in their bodies over time.

Many in the medical field are of the opinion that EBV is a background virus like many others in the herpes virus-family, that can flare-up like cold sores can (also a herpes virus that remains in the system). When flare-ups happen, they believe it can cause or at least contribute to symptoms of CFS in some people.

In my case, my EBV count was "218" with normal range being <20, so mine was more than ten times the normal cut off range.

Some Doctors believe the EBV test means nothing, unless actually being used to test for monolucleosis but there has to be a reason some patient's EBV counts elevate so highly. Both MDs who treat me for hypothyroidism and CFS, believe that EBV can flare-up/reactivate in some patients who have the higher titers of the virus. Many sources also state that adrenal fatigue is a major feature of this because the adrenal glands are the major moderators of the immune system.

While EBV may not be the actual root cause of CFS, it has been shown to be an indicator of immune dysfunction in studies that have been conducted. In my opinion, it is just one of many factors that can contribute to the symptoms of CFS.

The Centers For Disease Control/U.S. Gov., has been publishing studies and diagnostic criteria for CFS, for many years, so it is recognized as a real illness.

Many patients with CFS have complete remission of it within two to five years while others have partial but significant improvement, even if it never completely remits. Some may have it for many years but regardless, it does not cause organ damage or decrease life span expectancy, according to published medical research. It also does not negatively affect intellect, despite the "brain fog" symptoms it also causes in patients who experience it.

Things that speed recovery for CFS, are; treating the associated adrenal fatigue, getting proper sleep and rest, a healthy diet, exercising to tolerance and making sure other diseases a patient might have are treated. Under-treatment of a thyroid disorder for example, can serve as a trigger for continuing CFS flare-ups and may actually be a trigger for the syndrome itself according to some medical sources. Many sources also state that thyroid patients commonly have co-occurring CFS and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS & FMS have 75% crossover symptoms).