Adrenal Insufficiency same "treatment" as Adrenal Fatigue?

[tiredmama]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum, as I was just recently diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency.  We don't believe that I have Addison's disease (aka Primary Adrenal Insufficiency), although I do have other autoimmune diseases.  Rather, we believe that my Adrenal issue is due a tumor removal I had done about 7 years ago, which was a prolactinoma (pituitary tumor).  A potential side effect of that surgery is hormone imbalances due to the pituitary being disturbed.  
So now I am on hydrocortisone and looking for other ways to boost my system from a natural perspective.  I've read a lot of information on Addison's disease (which doesn't apply to me) and a lot on Adrenal Fatigue.  But I'm not sure if the natural course of treatment for my type of Adrenal issue would be the same as treatment for Adrenal Fatigue???  My symptoms are basically the same, I'm just "lucky enough" to get the true medical diagnosis.     Diagnosis was confirmed via ACTH testing.  Baseline cortisol was low, and my body barely responded to the ACTH.  
This illness is so confusing!
Thanks in advance - and best of health to everyone!

[karens]

Hi tiredmama. I can relate. No one has replied to this, so I will begin, sharing some of my incomplete understanding of this complex condition. I am initially trained in the medical model as a nurse, then nurse practitioner and midwife. I eventually studied herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and massage therapy. So I am well grounded in both conventional medicine and non-conventional medicine approaches. To my understanding, adrenal insufficiency is a conventional medical diagnosis, diagnosed sometimes in the way you were diagnosed. Addison's disease is a complete adrenal failure, whereas the insufficiency is not a complete failure. The conventional, or allopathic medical model does not recognize the terms adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion. These terms are used by herbalists and naturopathic doctors, as well as other alternative practitioners. These fields view adrenal health as a continuum, from minor adrenal fatigue, suffered by many in our modern, stressed out society, to adrenal exhaustion, a much more advanced and serious condition. MDs generally fail to diagnose this, instead treating the symptoms, calling it other things. As for treatment, there is much advice online. Seems rest is imperative. Herbs can be restorative and supportive, as well as carefully selected supplements. Taking hydrocortisone is not going to heal the underlying issues, though it is the medical approach to improve the symptoms related to low adrenal hormones. It is also true that the endocrine system is all interconnected. I cannot say anything about your history of the pituitary tumor, and how that, and the treatment may have contributed to your story. I would suggest you seek an alternative practitioner who is well-versed in adrenal exhaustion and fatigue, such as a naturopathic doctor. Not all practitioners are knowledgeable about this, so do due diligence to find someone who truly knows something about it. Meanwhile, try an herbal formula made for adrenal health. There are many out there. Best of luck to you!