Posted by Elroy on October 19, 2005, at 18:00:51
In reply to Re: Remeron and Cortisol » Elroy, posted by Pfinstegg on October 19, 2005, at 7:55:58
To tell the truth, I am about at the stage where I hope that they (NIH) declare that the tumor that's already known to be there (left adrenal gland) is responsible for what's causing the hypercortisolism (and thereby the anxiety and other physical symptoms) and recommend surgical intervention. As part of the study, if surgical intervention is recommended they will do it there for free.
Right now that seems to be the simplest solution to a very complex problem. Otherwise I don't really know what the "game plan" would be. Continuing on Remeron long-term isn't a reasonable option (too many negative SEs). A trial of RU486 would be interesting but the chances of getting one of my several doctors to actually go that route seems pretty remote for now (seeing as it's still in the testing process for psychological disorders)... unless NIH would come up with a recommended protocol - in writing - to try for RU486, something that I could bring back to my docs....
Anyway, it sounds like your problem isn't so much with a dysfunctional HPA Axis that is causing a condition of hypercortisolism (since your 24 hr UFCs have been normal), but more that of an HPA Axis that has caused your normal secretion cycle to go haywire (as in causing your nighttime levels to be high, which means that at some points during the day your secretion levels are much lower than they should be).
I am the opposite whereby my total cortisol levels are quite high but nighttime salivary cortisol tests are low, well within the lower third of the normal range (not in general, but specifically for late night levels).
Well, we will see.
Will be interesting when the Remeron gets stopped here in a couple of weeks. I imagine that insomnia will revert back to being a problem.
Elroy
poster:Elroy
thread:124535
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051017/msgs/568958.html