Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Community

I have been diagnosed with Adrenal fatigue syndrome. My Adrenal glands have shut down, and instead, other glands have been flooding my body with cortisol. The result is extremely painful joints, body aches, and sleeping 16 to 18 hours a day.

The cause is prolonged stress, having taken care of my disabled husband for the last 8 years, along with four children. My twins were about 6 weeks old when my husband began having strokes, so I was recovering from a C-section, caring for newborn twins, and also for my newly disabled husband. We lost everything, house, cars, vacations, all gone.

I've been doing well with it all, but then last year I had major surgery. I just never bounced back. It's been getting worse and worse, and the doctor could find nothing wrong. But a new doctor and I sat and looked through my records and found the outrageous levels of cortisol, and from there we got the diagnosis. I've had to stop home schooling my three younger ones (the oldest is on his own).

Now, my husband has begun home dialysis, and I just don't know how much more stress I can handle. I am also a pastor, but have been taking time off to sleep.

They (the doctors) say if I can rest and get my stress levels down, the adrenals will probably start back up. I hate this. I despise sleeping through the days and nights, losing entire days, and not being there for my husband and kids.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get some energy?