Posted by clipper40 on January 13, 2008, at 16:16:52 [reposted on January 16, 2008, at 1:51:18 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me. » clipper40, posted by bleauberry on January 13, 2008, at 14:34:09
> > Yes, I remember you talking about your first experience with milnacipran. Glad to hear that so far the building up slowly is working for you.
>
> I hope it will.
If not, there is a medication that can help that, right? Someone mentioned it earlier. Supposedly your body adjusts and wouldn't need it after a few days, anyway.
> > So you have (or had?) adrenal fatigue as well??? Are your cortisol levels back to normal now? Is this why you weren't on any medication for a year or so? When you weren't taking any medications were you taking herbs and supplements? If so, which ones worked for you?
>
> Yes, adrenal fatigue diagnosed on 2 different tests 2 years in a row. It has been almost a year and do not know where it is now. Based on the way I feel, I would guess cortisol is maybe slightly but insignifantly recovered, and feels like the daily curve has smoothed mildly. I could not handle the herbs or supplements I tried...Licorice, all the adaptogen herbs, and Isocort (a brand of adrenal cortex with some other weird stuff in it). Salt is good for adrenal fatigue and I do eat a lot more salt now. I use the Himalaya mountain kind. Sea salt in my opinion has too many pollutants in it. Regular salt is manmade junk. For iodine I take drops of Kelp tincture with 100% daily iodine in 4 drops.
I haven't tried the herbs or Isocort yet. Had heard of the latter and was curious. Of the herbs I've tried so far for other conditions, I couldn't tolerate them either so I'm not terribly optimistic about that route. I have increased my salt intake as well. Should get kelp and I've added it to my list. You didn't try adrenal cortex (apart from that in the Isocort)? I've been taking that and changed my diet but will probably need the hydrocortisone.
> Unless someone's adrenal fatigue is mild, I see from visiting other forums that herbs, supplements and diet changes help only a little if at all (generally, some good stories though), but that the true best treatment is an Rx of hydrocortisone in physiological replacement doses, which is usually up to 20 mg with insignificant affects on slowing down the adrenal's natural production of cortisol. A tiny fraction of the doses that gave HC a bad name. Just enough to make up the gap. Trying to find a doctor familiar with this or willing to try it is hard. Too bad. Many success stories with this approach.
There are many holistic doctors where I live who will prescribe hydrocortisone. Have you not been able to find a doctor for this?
> > Do you have any concerns about taking a noradrenergic medication now in terms of its taxing effect on the adrenals?> Actually no. My last doctor thought that with adrenal hypofunction a norepinephrine drug is appropriate. I disputed at first but now tend to agree. Regardless, I think trying to predict or theorize is fruitless. Whatever works works and that's that. Probably will never know why or how. I do think increasing dose too fast would be overtaxing in terms of anxiety or nervousness due to a hypo-norepinephrine system that will be super sensitive to increases. That's why I'm going very gently.
Interesting. What is your doctor's rationale for this? Why does he think that noradrenergic drugs aren't overly taxing on the adrenal gland? I just keep remembering how Dr. Wilson (authority on adrenal fatigue) keeps saying not to take stimulants of any kind - not even coffee). PLEASE CONVINCE ME!!
> > Sorry to hit you with so many questions at once but I'm really curious.> Glad to answer. I'm the real curious type too.
Really? I never would have guessed that. ;-)
poster:clipper40
thread:806873
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080114/msgs/806875.html