![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 21 to 45 of 45. Go back in thread:
Posted by Jakeman on June 25, 2005, at 16:14:23
In reply to Re: HPA Axis and Anti-Cortisol Therapy » KaraS, posted by Chairman_MAO on June 22, 2005, at 18:13:42
> The best AD available for normalizing the HPA axis and reversing hippocampal atrophy due to excess cortisol is tianeptine.
>It's my understanding that tianeptine is not available in the US. Does anyone know what's up with this.. is there a particular reason? I've read quite a bit of positive information in the scientific literature about this drug, but there seems to be a dearth of anecdotal reports. Is it used much in the UK?
thanks ~Jake
Posted by Elroy on June 25, 2005, at 17:48:11
In reply to Re: HPA Axis and Anti-Cortisol Therapy- tianeptine » Chairman_MAO, posted by Jakeman on June 25, 2005, at 16:14:23
No idea on this one.... maybe politics at play? How long has it been in use in Europe, etc? It seems that it has a really good track record....
Kind of like the situation with Pfizer and their drug Lyrica. It has been approved by FDA for over six months now and still hasn't been released to the US market....
Elroy
X
X
X> > The best AD available for normalizing the HPA axis and reversing hippocampal atrophy due to excess cortisol is tianeptine.
> >
>
> It's my understanding that tianeptine is not available in the US. Does anyone know what's up with this.. is there a particular reason? I've read quite a bit of positive information in the scientific literature about this drug, but there seems to be a dearth of anecdotal reports. Is it used much in the UK?
>
> thanks ~Jake
Posted by ed_uk on June 25, 2005, at 21:15:37
In reply to Re: HPA Axis and Anti-Cortisol Therapy- tianeptine » Chairman_MAO, posted by Jakeman on June 25, 2005, at 16:14:23
Hi,
>Is it used much in the UK?
No, it's not available in the UK. It is available in France and a few other European countries.
~Ed
Posted by cache-monkey on June 29, 2005, at 0:34:17
In reply to Re: HPA Axis and Anti-Cortisol Therapy » Chairman_MAO, posted by Elroy on June 22, 2005, at 20:10:28
Hi Elroy,
I've been reading your posts on cortisol with great interest. Thanks for posting all the useful information.
In some of the links you posted on Remeron as effective cortisol therapy, the authors attribute this to its 5-HT2 blockade. Remeron is known for its 5-HT2a antagonism, but less well known is that it also blocks the 5-HT2c receptors almost as hard [1]. This is a lot like Zyprexa at low doses, although with Z you also get the D-2 antagonsim. So, Zyprexa might present a reasonable altertnative in reducing cortisol levels for people who can't get over the anti-histaminic effects of Remeron.
I only have personal experience with Zyprexa. So far, it seems to have mitigated a fair chunk of my free-floating anxiety that was the residual from a prolonged period of stress.
Just a thought,
cache-monkey
Posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 6:28:35
In reply to Anti-Cortisol Therapy: Remeron ... or Zyprexa?? » Elroy, posted by cache-monkey on June 29, 2005, at 0:34:17
For those people living in the UK, there is an antiglucocorticoid named metyrapone that is used to treat Cushings Syndrome and other hypercortisolemic conditions. I believe metyrapone is also available in Canada. I hope someone can check on this.
Unfortunately, in the US, metyrapone is used only as a test for diagnostic purposes. It helps to differentiate the status of the adrenal glands versus the status of the HPA axis.
Ketoconazole is a cortisol synthesis inhibitor that might be of use for some people.
- Scott
Posted by Elroy on June 29, 2005, at 18:47:03
In reply to Anti-Cortisol Therapy: Remeron ... or Zyprexa?? » Elroy, posted by cache-monkey on June 29, 2005, at 0:34:17
Interesting article.
My primary reason for taking Remeron is for its cortisol-lowering effect. It was actually prescribed by my PCP / GP for that purpose rather than my psych doc (though she did agree with the prescription).
My primary problem (as far as mental / emotional disorder) consists of anxiety apparently induced by highly elevated cortisol which appears to have been induced by a malfunction of the HPA Axis. This has been born out by a daignosis of Pseudo Cushings by attending endo. Anyway, that led to the PCP's belief that possibly using Remeron will bring the cortisol levels down and permit the HPA Axis to "re-set". (I do have some degree of depression, but it came along over the last few months - this all just started over the last couple of years - and is a depression based on what's going on with my medical condtion versus a general depression)
Are you aware of any studies or trials using Zyprexa that showed a cortisol-lowering effect?
Thanks.
Elroy
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X
X
X> Hi Elroy,
>
> I've been reading your posts on cortisol with great interest. Thanks for posting all the useful information.
>
> In some of the links you posted on Remeron as effective cortisol therapy, the authors attribute this to its 5-HT2 blockade. Remeron is known for its 5-HT2a antagonism, but less well known is that it also blocks the 5-HT2c receptors almost as hard [1]. This is a lot like Zyprexa at low doses, although with Z you also get the D-2 antagonsim. So, Zyprexa might present a reasonable altertnative in reducing cortisol levels for people who can't get over the anti-histaminic effects of Remeron.
>
> I only have personal experience with Zyprexa. So far, it seems to have mitigated a fair chunk of my free-floating anxiety that was the residual from a prolonged period of stress.
>
> Just a thought,
> cache-monkey
>
> [1] http://www.preskorn.com/columns/0003.html
>
Posted by Elroy on June 29, 2005, at 18:54:46
In reply to Anti-Cortisol Therapy: metyrapone and ketoconazole, posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 6:28:35
Am aware of ketoconazole but endo is highly against prescribing it due to adverse side effects.
I believe that the key will end up being the drug RU486 but (even though it's been "fast tracked" by the FDA) it's approval progress has been moving very slowly.
With RU486 the protocol is a very short-term regimen (studies I've seen have been in the four to seven day range). Cortisol lowered, HPA Axis re-set and anxiety / depression problems either resolved or (if especially resistant) now quickly respond to standard treatments.
Elroy
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X
X> For those people living in the UK, there is an antiglucocorticoid named metyrapone that is used to treat Cushings Syndrome and other hypercortisolemic conditions. I believe metyrapone is also available in Canada. I hope someone can check on this.
>
> Unfortunately, in the US, metyrapone is used only as a test for diagnostic purposes. It helps to differentiate the status of the adrenal glands versus the status of the HPA axis.
>
> Ketoconazole is a cortisol synthesis inhibitor that might be of use for some people.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 19:32:56
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: metyrapone and ketocona » SLS, posted by Elroy on June 29, 2005, at 18:54:46
One of my concerns with the mifepristone 8-day protocol is that it will not have a persistent effect for someone like me (severe and chronic). I would anticipate needing several courses of treatments per year for the first several years. Even a compassionate use IND for mifepristone only allows two treatments per year.
> or (if especially resistant) now quickly respond to standard treatments.
Where did you gather this information from?
- Scott
Posted by Elroy on June 29, 2005, at 23:33:12
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: metyrapone and ketocona » Elroy, posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 19:32:56
Kind of late now.
Will get some links (of studies) together and send them out tomorrow.
Off the top of my head, I thought I recalled reading (at least in one study) where remission rates were still showing as excellent several months later.
BTW, do you have highly elevated cortisol levels? I don't believe that the RU486 therapy is a generalized treatment protocol, but specifically for people with highly elevated cortisol (which is driving the anxiety and / or depression) that exists due to a dysfunctional HPA Axis.
Elroy
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X
X> One of my concerns with the mifepristone 8-day protocol is that it will not have a persistent effect for someone like me (severe and chronic). I would anticipate needing several courses of treatments per year for the first several years. Even a compassionate use IND for mifepristone only allows two treatments per year.
>
> > or (if especially resistant) now quickly respond to standard treatments.
>
> Where did you gather this information from?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by Elroy on June 30, 2005, at 21:48:39
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: metyrapone and ketocona » SLS, posted by Elroy on June 29, 2005, at 23:33:12
Various links, no particular order, just from saved bookmarks.... maybe a slight chronological order....
http://www.nap.edu/books/0309049490/html/229.html
http://archfami.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/7/3/219
http://www.acnp.org/G4/GN401000096/CH094.html
http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/full/61/5/698
http://www.alfredsapsemd.com/91.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2309279.stm
http://www.psycport.com/showArticle.cfm?xmlFile=comtex_2002_08_01_bw_0000-1640-ca-stanford-medical.xml&provider=Business+Wire
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p040592.html
http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/many_more.htm
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/nnp/research/publication/18411
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11593077&dopt=Abstract
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/psychotic_ru486.asp
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2000/november8/ru486-1108.html
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00048269 (this one endedlast year... would like to know what results were)
http://www2.eclinicalpsychiatrynews.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=full&id=aqc04032616
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11593077&dopt=Abstract
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00048269
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00043654;jsessionid=955F33A66FD69427D72FD64A1EC3325B?amp%3Border=1
(have now included bi-polar in the mix... it's my belief that intend on testing each type of disorder that has elevated cortisol levels)Elroy
X
X
X
X> Kind of late now.
>
> Will get some links (of studies) together and send them out tomorrow.
>
> Off the top of my head, I thought I recalled reading (at least in one study) where remission rates were still showing as excellent several months later.
>
> BTW, do you have highly elevated cortisol levels? I don't believe that the RU486 therapy is a generalized treatment protocol, but specifically for people with highly elevated cortisol (which is driving the anxiety and / or depression) that exists due to a dysfunctional HPA Axis.
>
> Elroy
> X
> X
> X
>
> > One of my concerns with the mifepristone 8-day protocol is that it will not have a persistent effect for someone like me (severe and chronic). I would anticipate needing several courses of treatments per year for the first several years. Even a compassionate use IND for mifepristone only allows two treatments per year.
> >
> > > or (if especially resistant) now quickly respond to standard treatments.
> >
> > Where did you gather this information from?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on July 1, 2005, at 7:26:13
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » Elroy, posted by Elroy on June 30, 2005, at 21:48:39
Thank you so much for taking the time to put this list together.
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by Elroy on July 1, 2005, at 16:31:24
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » Elroy, posted by SLS on July 1, 2005, at 7:26:13
You're welcome.
I have my next round of cortisol testing done in about three weeks. That means that I will have been on the Remeron for about six weeks when the cortisol testing is done. I am, of course, hoping that the testing is going to show that the cortisol levels have come down significantly.
Following that my hope is that the lowered cortisol will in fact allow the HPA Axis to "re-set" and allow normal cortisol secretions to resume.
And of course following that is the hope that both the severe anxiety and various physical symptoms associated with this will start going away and medications can gradually be eliminated!
We will see.
Elroy
P.S. I was started out on 15mg of Remeron and then, after two weeks moved to 30mg. Only side effect I had was extreme sedation at 15mg level and some remaining sedation SE at 30mg. I am going to talk to p doc next week about raising dosage to 45 mg or 60 mg to see if that SE then goes away.
X
X
X
> Thank you so much for taking the time to put this list together.
>
> Be well.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by 4WD on July 1, 2005, at 21:28:36
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » SLS, posted by Elroy on July 1, 2005, at 16:31:24
> You're welcome.
>
> I have my next round of cortisol testing done in about three weeks. That means that I will have been on the Remeron for about six weeks when the cortisol testing is done. I am, of course, hoping that the testing is going to show that the cortisol levels have come down significantly.
>
> Following that my hope is that the lowered cortisol will in fact allow the HPA Axis to "re-set" and allow normal cortisol secretions to resume.
>
> And of course following that is the hope that both the severe anxiety and various physical symptoms associated with this will start going away and medications can gradually be eliminated!
>
> We will see.
>
> Elroy
>
> P.S. I was started out on 15mg of Remeron and then, after two weeks moved to 30mg. Only side effect I had was extreme sedation at 15mg level and some remaining sedation SE at 30mg. I am going to talk to p doc next week about raising dosage to 45 mg or 60 mg to see if that SE then goes away.
I have my test next WEdnesday where I take dexamethasone for two days then go in and get a hep lock and have blood drawn for a couple hours. I gather this is to determine if my pituitary tumor is active. I know it's also to rule out Cushings which I know already I don't have.Marsha
Posted by Elroy on July 1, 2005, at 21:49:03
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information, posted by 4WD on July 1, 2005, at 21:28:36
Yes, this sounds like a combination DEX/CRH Test. I have had it done twice,
You indicate that you know that you don't have Cushing's? How is that?
I'm lost somewhere. I take it that you do have elevated cortisol levels. And that you do have a pituitary tumor.
This particular test is designed to test whether you are suppressing cortisol production when put thru this particular protocol, so I'm assuming that you do have elevated cortisol levels???
Of course, in all of my testing that they did, they found that I have a tumor in my left adrenal gland... and at first thought "aha!" But then more testing showed that it wasn't doing anything with the excessivee cortisol secretion, so maybe same is true with your pit tumor.
I have found - through dealing with a number of advanced specialists - that the Late Night Salivary Cortisol test is pretty much the most accurate test to rule out "real" Cushings versus Pseudo Cushings (the latter not meaning that you have "fake" Cushings, it's highly elevated cortisol either way!).
Elroy
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X
>
>
> I have my test next WEdnesday where I take dexamethasone for two days then go in and get a hep lock and have blood drawn for a couple hours. I gather this is to determine if my pituitary tumor is active. I know it's also to rule out Cushings which I know already I don't have.
>
> Marsha
Posted by 4WD on July 1, 2005, at 22:28:57
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » 4WD, posted by Elroy on July 1, 2005, at 21:49:03
> Yes, this sounds like a combination DEX/CRH Test. I have had it done twice,
>
> You indicate that you know that you don't have Cushing's? How is that?
>
> I'm lost somewhere. I take it that you do have elevated cortisol levels. And that you do have a pituitary tumor.
>
> This particular test is designed to test whether you are suppressing cortisol production when put thru this particular protocol, so I'm assuming that you do have elevated cortisol levels???
>
> Of course, in all of my testing that they did, they found that I have a tumor in my left adrenal gland... and at first thought "aha!" But then more testing showed that it wasn't doing anything with the excessivee cortisol secretion, so maybe same is true with your pit tumor.
>
> I have found - through dealing with a number of advanced specialists - that the Late Night Salivary Cortisol test is pretty much the most accurate test to rule out "real" Cushings versus Pseudo Cushings (the latter not meaning that you have "fake" Cushings, it's highly elevated cortisol either way!).
>
> Elroy
> X
> X
> X
Yes, I have elevated cortisol levels. Ref range 20-90, my value 174. I have depression and anxiety (was actually terror for a while). The pit tumor is a microadenoma 5-6mm.I'm sure I don't have Cushings because I have no symptoms or features except for the elevated cortisol.
I don't know what it "means" if I do suppress cortisol during this procedure. Do you? Did you suppress during this test? What's the significance of suppression/nonsuppression?
I'm following all your posts re elevated cortisol because I feel, as you do, that the elevated cortisol level is in itself causing some of my symptoms. I plan to ask the endoc his recommendation for blocking or lowering cortisol levels regardless of the results of the test. I know elevated cortisol causes damage to the body over time.
I'm not real hopeful he's going to suggest supplements but I intend to start Relacore and Holy Basil after the test regardless.
Good luck with the Remeron.
Marsha
Posted by Elroy on July 2, 2005, at 22:39:18
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » Elroy, posted by 4WD on July 1, 2005, at 22:28:57
Please make sure that he does the appropriate tests for Cushings. It would be highly unusual to have elevated cortisol levels (basically double max levels) and a pit tumor and NOT be Cushings.
You cannot ( I repeat can NOT) go by the "normal, routine symptoms" (high obesity, moonface, etc, etc.) to determine if you have Cushings. A cousin of mine (my mother's uncle) had Cushings for years and didn't develop those tell-tale physical symptoms until like the last 18 months! And you say that you have depression and anxiety (was actually terror for a while)... well, those are also symptoms of Cushing's (BTW, Pseudo Cushings is also a form of Cushing's... instead of some tumor causing the elevated cortisol, it's youir body's own malfunctioning HPA Axis that is creating the excess cortisol secretion).
Yes, I know I have a similar situation with elevated levels (anywhere from 1.5 to six times normal max) and also have an adrenal gland tumor and am Pseudo Cushings, but I am the definite exception to the rule.
If you do NOT suppress then (if my memory serves me right), you have Cushings. If you do suppress strongly, then you "probably" don't. Yes, I suppressed (result came back as something like a 1.2 and anything under a 5 was considered a strong suppression).
I would push the doctor to also run 2 - 3 Late Night Salviary Cortisol Tests. Spread out over a week. If those come back with elevated levels then you definitely have "regular" Cushing's.
As to supplements, I would say "good luck". I went on very strong and aggressive OTC supplements of all kinds for two months and got my levels down to low 100s (118?). My labs range was 20 - 100. I stayed on those supplements for another 2 1/2 months and then stopped two weeks before the next test. I was in the high 240s. So in other words the supps (and I was doing mega doses of multiple supps, relora, holy basil, PS, etc.) couldn't even get me down into the normal range... and I shot right back up as soon as I stopped for even just two weeks.
And that's why I'm trying Remeron... and that's why I'm going to try to get an RU486 therapy protocol (if this Remeron doesn't do the trick) just as soon as one possibly could....
Elroy
P.S. Have you visited these links:
http://wideberthasmessageboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41
(may have to register and log in on 2nd one)
X
X
X>
> Yes, I have elevated cortisol levels. Ref range 20-90, my value 174. I have depression and anxiety (was actually terror for a while). The pit tumor is a microadenoma 5-6mm.
>
> I'm sure I don't have Cushings because I have no symptoms or features except for the elevated cortisol.
>
> I don't know what it "means" if I do suppress cortisol during this procedure. Do you? Did you suppress during this test? What's the significance of suppression/nonsuppression?
>
> I'm following all your posts re elevated cortisol because I feel, as you do, that the elevated cortisol level is in itself causing some of my symptoms. I plan to ask the endoc his recommendation for blocking or lowering cortisol levels regardless of the results of the test. I know elevated cortisol causes damage to the body over time.
>
> I'm not real hopeful he's going to suggest supplements but I intend to start Relacore and Holy Basil after the test regardless.
>
> Good luck with the Remeron.
>
> Marsha
>
Posted by SLS on July 3, 2005, at 8:43:01
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » 4WD, posted by Elroy on July 2, 2005, at 22:39:18
Hi.
Contact Emilie DeBock at the Feminist Majority Foundation. She will expedite matters for you. Please say hi to her for me.
- Scott------------------------------------------
Emily DeBockFeminist Majority Foundation
703-522-2214 x142
www.feminist.org
Posted by Elroy on July 3, 2005, at 13:18:18
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » Elroy, posted by SLS on July 3, 2005, at 8:43:01
Thanks much for the information.
I will do that Tuesday or Wednesday. In fact I will do it Tuesday as I have an appt with my psych doc on Wednesday and I can then pass any relevant information along to her (the p-doc).
Elroy
X
X
X
X> Hi.
>
> Contact Emilie DeBock at the Feminist Majority Foundation. She will expedite matters for you. Please say hi to her for me.
>
>
> - Scott
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
>
> Emily DeBock
>
> Feminist Majority Foundation
>
> 703-522-2214 x142
>
> edebock@feminist.org
>
> www.feminist.org
>
>
>
Posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 11:00:45
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » SLS, posted by Elroy on July 3, 2005, at 13:18:18
How can you get a doctor to test your cortisol to see if that is part of your problem?
Remeron was horrible for me, I don't think it helped reset anything. Made my anxiety and anger much worse.
Posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 11:24:00
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information » SLS, posted by Elroy on July 1, 2005, at 16:31:24
Hi Elroy,
Just wondering what checks your endoctrinologist gave you. Also did you pass or fail the Dememethasone Suppression test?
How do you find Remeron anyway? When I took it I got a lot of anxiety at 15mg and also felt a bit zombie like on it, really numb. On the other hand Zyprexa really helped me.
Denise
Posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 11:24:55
In reply to Re: Anti-Cortisol Therapy: RU486 Information, posted by ravenstorm on July 4, 2005, at 11:00:45
.
Posted by Elroy on July 4, 2005, at 11:47:24
In reply to Re: To Elroy, posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 11:24:00
OK, for both of the last posts....
The first test that you want to have done is two, preferably three "24-hour Urinary Free Cortisol" tests (called 24-hr UFCs). Those tests are to determine if you have elevated cortisol levels or not. You do NOT want to rely on a salivary test (even if its the type where you take a sample four different times during the day - like at 8 AM and then at 2 PM and then at 8 PM and then again at midnight or whatever). You do NOT want to rely on a serum (blood) test. The problem is that both of those tests just give a "snapshot" of what your cortisol was like at that particular moment... and cortisol secretion is in cycles, not a steady secretion.
So you want the 24-hour UFCs to determine if you have elevated cortisol levels to start with.
Then there's a number of other tests done to start determining the cause... is it Cushing's Disease where the elevated cortisol is caused by a pituitary tumor? Is it Cushing's Syndrome where the elevated cortisol is caused by an adrenal gland tumor (or, less likely, an ACTH-secreting cancer)? Or is it Pseudo Cushing's w- which can be caused by a number of things but one of those being mood disorders such as long-term stress, chronic low-level anxiety and / or depression, etc.
The CRH Test is not really considered that reliable. The Dex Suppression test (especially the high-dose version) has some better reliability but the combined DEX/CRH Test has a very high reliability.
But the "gold standard test" to separate Pseudo Cushings away from the other "regular" forms (I hate saying it that way)... is the "Late Night Salivary Cortisol Test". With regular Cushings patients their daily cycle of cortisol secretion gets completely out of kilter and their late night levels will be significantly elevated while the Pseudo Cushing patient will (about 98+% of the time) have NON elevated levels at that time frame (i.e., 11 PM to Midnite). Again, want to have two or three separate tests done (spread out over a week or two)...
So actually two simple tests determine where you are at.... one consists of simply peeing in a plastic jug for the 24-hour time period and the other consists of spitting into provided test vials.
Remeron seems to be one of those meds that either definitely works for you - or definitely doesn't... which may have a lot to do with the fact that it has those anti-cortisol properties.
The only side effect that I have had from it was that when I was on 15 mg I had extreme sedation (sleeping like 16 - 18 hours a day... which actually felt great at the time as I had insomnia for so long that it felt really greatto sleep like that) and also at 30mg (not so bad, but still sleeping like 10 - 12 hours). At 45mg it seems that the sedation effect is passing significantly (slept about 6.5 hours last night). Still undecided on taking dosage to 60mg or not.
Anyway, Remeron is one of those few meds where the side effects are actually much stronger at the LOWER dosage levels, so if you give it a re-try, start at 30 mg and go to 45 or 60 would be my recommendation.
I have noted to noticeable increase in "hunger pangs", "cravings", or "weight gain" (in fact, I lost about 8 lbs the first two weeks on Remeron). I have also not noted in problems with "anger".
I have my next round of cortisol testing in about three weeks so will be able to see if Remeron has had any effect on reducing cortisol levels....
Elroy
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X
X
X
> Hi Elroy,
>
> Just wondering what checks your endoctrinologist gave you. Also did you pass or fail the Dememethasone Suppression test?
>
> How do you find Remeron anyway? When I took it I got a lot of anxiety at 15mg and also felt a bit zombie like on it, really numb. On the other hand Zyprexa really helped me.
>
>
> Denise
Posted by Elroy on July 4, 2005, at 11:50:39
In reply to Re: To Elroy, posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 11:24:00
P.S. I suppressed very strongly on my last Dex Suppression Test (high-dose version). As I recall, my Labs standard was that anything under a "5" was considered to have suppressed, and I had a "1.2" value....
I have suppressed on every suppression test performed (including two of the combined DEX/CRH Tests) and have had clearly NON elevated levels on every Late Night Salivary Test performed (probably about 8 - 10 so far)....
Elroy
X
X
XElroy
X
X
X> Hi Elroy,
>
> Just wondering what checks your endoctrinologist gave you. Also did you pass or fail the Dememethasone Suppression test?
>
> How do you find Remeron anyway? When I took it I got a lot of anxiety at 15mg and also felt a bit zombie like on it, really numb. On the other hand Zyprexa really helped me.
>
>
> Denise
Posted by Elroy on December 28, 2005, at 11:37:04
In reply to Re: To Elroy, posted by Denise1966 on July 4, 2005, at 11:24:00
> Hi Elroy,
>
> Just wondering what checks your endoctrinologist gave you. Also did you pass or fail the Dememethasone Suppression test?
>
> How do you find Remeron anyway? When I took it I got a lot of anxiety at 15mg and also felt a bit zombie like on it, really numb. On the other hand Zyprexa really helped me.
>
>
> DeniseDenise,
Suggest you see thread located at following for more info:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021019/msgs/124535.html
Elroy
P.S. The more later postings (9/2005 and on)
Posted by Elroy on January 12, 2010, at 9:58:30
In reply to Re: HPA Axis Anti-Cortisol Therapy - MORE INFO 5, posted by Elroy on June 21, 2005, at 18:46:08
For a further updating to this Pseudo Cushing's condition and hypercortisolism (which I am now in the remission stage - with normal cortisol levels since August!!!), you may wish to visit:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100103/msgs/933330.html#followups
You can also go to the Cushing's Forum web site and look for postings under the username "LeroyB" with the newer postings that do a LOT of updating...
http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php
Search engine is along the upper part of the web page (just titled Search") right under the "Help and Support" sign....
Register and go to the Forums and do a search
This is the end of the thread.
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