I've been battling panic attacks and if not the panic attacks, anxiety all day every day since May of this year.
Had blood work done and my cortisol, in the morning was
34.2 ug/dL and the doctor said the range is 6.2-19.4.
I am 60 year old female that has lived the past 5 years under extreme stress, which I feel is the cause of the elevated cortisol. I feel like I'm in fight or flight most all day but the worse is early morning (3 am - 4am) and through out the day.
You need to build up your adrenals for starters. Here is more on that and on anxiety:
http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1527351#i
http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1662316#i
I see you've said PS and Lecithin for this.. Which best and what else can I do to settle down inspite of the stressful life I am living currently. How much should I take of either of these.
You would want the lecithin, which provides choline. I recommend a tablespoon of the granules, not the liquid, 3 times daily. It can be sprinkled on food or blended in a smoothie.
Can I take Ashwaganda and if so, how much and how often.
Yes. I recommend a half a teaspoon of the powder 3-4 times daily on an empty stomach at least 20 minutes before meals.
Glycine works in a similar manner. I recommend a gram 3-4 times daily also on an empty stomach, but at least 30 minutes before meals.
I was drinking Kava Kava tea which really helped me to relax but my doctor had a fit. But, reading here, it seems the caution is not warranted. How much can I drink safely?
Kava is not as dangerous as it has been made out to be. I addressed this here:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1491612#i
If you want to drink kava tea then I recommend one cup three times daily. You can use a little Chinese licorice root as a sweetener, another calming agent and to help support and build up the adrenals.
I am walking daily, I also climb 2 sets of stairs, 10 x each day, and I've been trying to meditate but that is not easy when the anxiety is high.
I added Magnesium glycinate back few months ago, 200Mg 4 times a day, that stopped the racing heart.
I've seen many cortisol balancing formulas online but I dont know what is best or how to handle.
Adaptogenic herbs are the best, but you have to make sure they are not the stimulatory adaptogens. Natural vitamin C sources and pantothenic acid sources will help support the adrenals as well.
I eat well, basically and I take multi vit. everyday along with B Complex, Vit C 1000Mg,
Try to get as many of these vitamins from natural sources as possible.
3000mg fish oil and I take melatonin to sleep at night.
I highly recommend avoiding melatonin. Here is a video I did on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZEj2K5WJ9g
I am open to any and all suggestions, as I do not want this to cause heart attack or stroke or something.
Thanks so much!
Carroll
PS: Forgot to mention that I've taken .50mg of Ativan on and off for 2 months. I try to not take it. I got prescription on 6/26, 30 count and I still have 10 1mg pills left. But, it seems by taking it, that the next day the anxiety is worse!
Thank you James!!
I've been on melatonin for a long time. I will stop taking it.
Any suggestions on how to get off the Ativan... granted I only take .50 mg but it is most everyday... and it seems to make things worse.
What about the 15 pounds that I've lost since May... once my adrenal glands settled down, I hope to regain my weight.
Are there any issues taking the Ativan and starting the recommendations from you? Should I stop cold turkey???
I have followed you for long time and so appreciate you work,kindess and serving to help others.
Thanks!
Carroll
I've been on melatonin for a long time. I will stop taking it.
Any suggestions on how to get off the Ativan... granted I only take .50 mg but it is most everyday... and it seems to make things worse.
Suggestion below.
What about the 15 pounds that I've lost since May... once my adrenal glands settled down, I hope to regain my weight.
You can try adding more good fats to your diet such as avocados, bananas some nuts, etc.
Are there any issues taking the Ativan and starting the recommendations from you? Should I stop cold turkey???
No, wean off it slowly. You can cut back on the Ativan while substituting for the reduction with 500mg of glycine on an empty stomach.
I have followed you for long time and so appreciate you work,kindess and serving to help others.
Thanks.
Hi James,
I think that I'm addicted to the Ativan, everytime I try to back down from .50mg to .25mg... it doesnt work or it causes worse anxiety for all day, even with taking the suggested herbs and vitamins.
I was told today that Ativan .50mg is like taking 5mg valium! How am I going to get off this stuff?
I only started the Ativan in May and never took the entire prescribed dosage which was to take .50mg 3 times a day.
I am taking the B5, 250mg 2 times a day, breakfast and one at lunch.
Lecithin 1tbsp. 3 x day.
Drinking kava kava tea 2/3 times a day
and taking liguid Ashwagandha 2 x day giving me about 2000mg each dose... I think.
Someone suggested that i take Cortisol Manager by Intergrative Therapeutics, Inc. at night which has Ashwgandha (Sensoril brand), L'theanne, 2eine50mg a blend of Magnolia 225 mg and Phosphaidlylseine (sp) at night time. What do you think?
How long before I can get off the Ativan without the rebounding???
Please advise. Thank you so much!
Carroll
I think that I'm addicted to the Ativan, everytime I try to back down from .50mg to .25mg... it doesnt work or it causes worse anxiety for all day, even with taking the suggested herbs and vitamins.
I was told today that Ativan .50mg is like taking 5mg valium! How am I going to get off this stuff?
I have another suggestion. Have you tried supplementing with either phenylalanine or tyrosine? Benzodiazapines can interfere with dopamine release. Drugs that have this or similar effects on dopamine can be quite addictive do to the lack of dopamine. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are precursors for the production of dopamine. You will have to give them a few weeks though to build up before trying to lower the Ativan dose again. I recommend 1g or the phenylalanine or tyrosine 3 times daily at least 30 minutes before meals. Again it takes about 2 weeks for these amino acids to build up to therapeutic levels. So give it the time to build up before reducing the Ativan.
I only started the Ativan in May and never took the entire prescribed dosage which was to take .50mg 3 times a day.
I am taking the B5, 250mg 2 times a day, breakfast and one at lunch.
Lecithin 1tbsp. 3 x day.
Drinking kava kava tea 2/3 times a day
and taking liguid Ashwagandha 2 x day giving me about 2000mg each dose... I think.
I would avoid liquids. Once water is added to an herb or even vitamins the oxidation of these substances are greatly increased and the properties of the herb or vitamin are quickly destroyed.
Someone suggested that i take Cortisol Manager by Intergrative Therapeutics, Inc. at night which has Ashwgandha (Sensoril brand), L'theanne, 2eine50mg a blend of Magnolia 225 mg and Phosphaidlylseine (sp) at night time. What do you think?
Looks pretty good and the magnolia bark is also a dopamine stimulant. Again I would give this a few weeks to build up before reducing the Ativan.
How long before I can get off the Ativan without the rebounding???
There is no defined answer to this since everyone is different. But getting your dopamine levels up prior to reducing the Ativan again should help a lot on reducing the withdrawal symptoms.
Hi James,
Thanks for the immediate response!!!
The reason for the liguid Ashwagandha, I could not find the powder form... I'll keep looking.
Thanks so much!
Carroll
Thanks for the immediate response!!!
A 1g tablet three times a day for a total of 3g daily in divided doses.
I prefer natural B vitamins when possible, but a B complex can still help and is not going to cause problems at that dose. So yes, taking them is good.
The reason for the liguid Ashwagandha, I could not find the powder form... I'll keep looking.
It should be pretty easy to find in the US if you are in this country.
Hello James,
Thank you so much for all your help.
I am located in Colorado although in the late 90's I lived in Vegas~ Desert Shores area.
I am concerned this morning because I've had two days of "yellow stools" and I've had a white coated tongue now for over a month. I've added in probotics 3 times a day before meals. I'm concerned here... as I dont want liver problems on top of all this anxiety and panic problems! What should I do, and should I be concerned. I dont have insurance and can not afford doctor visits.
Maybe this is too much fats in the diet... I just dont know. I've a history of IBS issues but I now know that all of this, ie., the IBS, anxiety and panic is chronic stress responses. So my HPA axis is truly out of balance!!!
I am also wondering if it is the Kava Kava tea I am drinking...
I am taking the following daily,
1. Ashwagandha 3 times a day, one dropper full. 2. Lecitin grandules 3 tbsp daily, 3. Pantothenic Acid 500mg 2 x daily, 4. Carlson Fish oil, liguid 2 tsp, 2x daily, 5. B-50, 2 x daily, and B12 1000mcg 1 x daily, 6. Vit. D3 1000IU 1 x daily and 6. Magnesium Glycinate 200, 3 x daily. and also I'm taking Integrative Therapetics Cortisol Manager, which has Sensoril brand ashwagandha plus L'theanine 250mg, Magnolia bark extract to contain 2% honokiol and 1% magnolol and epimedium aerial part extract 225mg and phophaidylseine 50mg at night.
My appetite is not real good, so I've been trying to add more protein shakes, whey with bananas, avocados, rice milk, etc. 2 x daily in between meals.
I am so really worried (nervous as can be, anxious) that now I have liver issues... prior my stools were normal each morning..
What do you think? Should I cut out any of the above or go to doctor asap?? I have not added the last things you had mentioned yet...
Thanks,
Carroll
PS: Tried to not take Ativan for 3 days, took .25mg yesterday and .50mg this morning. Yesterday and today I've had so much anxiety that it is unbearable!
Hello James,
Thank you so much for all your help.
I am located in Colorado although in the late 90's I lived in Vegas~ Desert Shores area.
I am concerned this morning because I've had two days of "yellow stools" and I've had a white coated tongue now for over a month.
Yellow stools can be from a number of things, so more information is needed. For example, if they are floating then it is likely from fat malabsorption. If there is also a flu-like symptoms then it could be something like Giardia. Pain in the abdomen and fever could indicate a lodged gallstone. It can also be caused from liver problems. Have you been doing bitters, which can help the liver and with gallstones and fat digestion?
White coated tongues are generally from bacterial overgrowth. If thick then it could be Candida.
I've added in probotics 3 times a day before meals. I'm concerned here... as I dont want liver problems on top of all this anxiety and panic problems! What should I do, and should I be concerned. I dont have insurance and can not afford doctor visits.
Probiotics are not a problem.
Maybe this is too much fats in the diet...
If you have gallstones then this could be a problem or if you have fat malabsorption problems.
I just dont know. I've a history of IBS issues but I now know that all of this, ie., the IBS, anxiety and panic is chronic stress responses. So my HPA axis is truly out of balance!!!
IBS is actually caused by a lack of intestinal flora. But live cultured foods and fibers would be the best for this.
I am also wondering if it is the Kava Kava tea I am drinking...
Not likely. Kava does not cause those kind of symptoms.
I am taking the following daily,
1. Ashwagandha 3 times a day, one dropper full. 2. Lecitin grandules 3 tbsp daily, 3. Pantothenic Acid 500mg 2 x daily, 4. Carlson Fish oil, liguid 2 tsp, 2x daily, 5. B-50, 2 x daily, and B12 1000mcg 1 x daily, 6. Vit. D3 1000IU 1 x daily and 6. Magnesium Glycinate 200, 3 x daily. and also I'm taking Integrative Therapetics Cortisol Manager, which has Sensoril brand ashwagandha plus L'theanine 250mg, Magnolia bark extract to contain 2% honokiol and 1% magnolol and epimedium aerial part extract 225mg and phophaidylseine 50mg at night.
Nothing in there that would cause a problem. And the lecithin in particular should help with liver support, gallstones and fat absorption.
My appetite is not real good, so I've been trying to add more protein shakes, whey with bananas, avocados, rice milk, etc. 2 x daily in between meals.
I am so really worried (nervous as can be, anxious) that now I have liver issues... prior my stools were normal each morning..
What do you think? Should I cut out any of the above or go to doctor asap?? I have not added the last things you had mentioned yet...
Being such a sudden onset I would suspect something with the gallbladder. More fiber and bitters, while reducing fat intake some would be my first suggestions.
Thanks,
Carroll
PS: Tried to not take Ativan for 3 days, took .25mg yesterday and .50mg this morning. Yesterday and today I've had so much anxiety that it is unbearable!
Have you also tried nettle leaf to reduce lactate and to build up the adrenals? Nettle leaf can help reduce anxiety through both means.
Hi James,
The yellow stools corrected. I reduced the fat intake in my diet.
Currently doing only .25mg x 3 a day of Ativan. Will do this for 3 weeks longer and reduce the .25mg to .125mg x 3 a day, if possible 2 times a day. As soon as I can get to .125mg one time a day, I will start skipping days. I sure hope this works! This is one wicked drug. I tried to come off cold turkey and crashed...
I seem to be feeling better, eating better and sleeping better.
Thank you so very much for the help and guidance you have given me!
Best regards,
Carroll
Hi D5,
Your reduction schedule is way too fast.
The minimum should be at least every 2 weeks a 1/8 reduction or less.