Re: Cortisol and Chronic Anxiety daily

 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!