Need PMDD / adrenal fatigue help please

Star*

call 911........call 911
I have PMDD. I need to get on something to help me with the mood swings. I had to laugh because I kept thinking "woman you are a roller coaster of emotions unto yourself." I'm going to call to make a Dr. appointment. because I think I suffer from adrenal fatigue.
ANy thoughts?

Was thinking about that Yaz medicine to ask doctor for but dont' know.
 

Fran

Former desparate mom
What is adrenal fatigue?

I'm a big fan that if something isn't working, you get a professional opinion or two, do some research and get it fixed.
You don't earn points by suffering.
Get to the doctor. Get some of those tools to help you feel better.
 

Star*

call 911........call 911
At the risk of sounding like I'm cyber diagnosing myself - which I hope doesn't come off that way - When (I think) EW posted she had Addisons - I didn't know what it was. I looked it up and all the stuff that she has - I have nearly the opposite. So just being funny I typed in Not Addisons and it came back Non-Addisons. ie: Adrenal Fatigue. I took a little on line test provided and checked with web md. Out of the 20 questions I truly have 20 of the symptoms 19 - in the high range.

I had my cortisol levels checked a few years back when I had the stroke and gained all this weight - and the doctor tested me 3 times. Three times because he said my cortisol levels were off the charts high and asked if I was dealing with a lot of stress. I said yes. The symptoms pointed to brain tumor - had that MRI (awful) thing done and found out that yes Mother I do have a brain - but luckily no tumor. After that the doctor sent me to an endocrinologist who told me I was fat, lazy and not doing diets proper. So I did E diets AND weight watchers. I gained 22 lbs. I did diet with the Healthy living board here - but the weight I lost was only water weight and while I thought I was doing so good - it was due to the Lasix I was given because my R foot only and ankle were swollen so bad and have been for a year or more - that I couldn't get my shoe on. I got compression hose (aren't THOSE lovely with capris?) and elevated my foot then went on more water pills, had an ultrasound done for fibroids which came back negative and I'm still sloshy, tired and just tired all the time. I could literally sleep 24/7 - and my moods go up, down, up down and I feel discombobulated and moody. Originally the doctor checked for Lupus and then decided I had Scleroderma. Nice......then I got a second opinion and the 2nd guy read my test results vs. the other docs opinion and literally quacked in front of me. Said "Thereis nothing wrong with you." but tested me AGAIN for Lupus and cushings.

So when I saw adrenal fatigue - I just wondered if anyone else has been diagnosis with it - or has a suggestion.

Brief synopsis....glad you asked....lol
 

Fran

Former desparate mom
Sounds complicated.
It's unfortunate that the endocrinologist couldn't work with you to find how to help you. They are usually pretty good.
Wish I had a clue but I don't. Sorry.
 

mstang67chic

Going Green
Get online, look up good docs in your area, get the referral and get your arse in!!! Print out your test and tell the doctor that while you know the internet makes armchair doctors out of people, this sounds too close to you (obviously if you aced the test) to ignore. Even if it ISN'T the adrenial fatigue, it should point the doctor to something.

On a side note.....maybe it's a good thing neither one of us can make it to the get together. The mood swings would be killer.
 

flutterby

Fly away!
This is what I found on Adrenal Fatigue:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adrenal-fatigue/AN01583/rss=1

Adrenal Fatigue would mimic Addisons which is the exact opposite of Cushing's. Addison's is HYPOcortisolism (not enough or none) and Cushing's is HYPERcortisolism (too much). If your cortisol is off the charts, they need to be trying to find out why. There is the pituitary gland tumor which is the most common, but it could also be a tumor on the adrenal glands (adrenal andenoma, I think). It could also be from an ACTH producing tumor somewhere else in the body. Further, you can't always find a pituitary gland tumor via MRI and they have other techniques, as described in the link below:

http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.htm

The bottom line is that Cushing's can be fatal if not treated. If you have off the charts cortisol, they need to find out why. Now.

As far as treating the PMDD, anything to treat it is going to be a hormone. Cortisol is also a hormone. I would be hesitant to take a hormone until you get to the bottom of the high cortisol.
 
N

Nomad

Guest
Have you been to an endocrinlogist? Second opinion?

Also, if your cortisol is very high, you might consider yoga classes...if nothing else...just for the meditation aspect of it.

Keep taking your vitamins, get rest, drink water, get in some exercise, use stress reduction techniques. Be consistent. Ask many questions, take tests, get a second opinion if things don't improve...
 
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Shari

IsItFridayYet?
While I have to agree with Heather about taking hormones without knowing the root cause of the problem, I wanted to chime in on the Yaz thing...

I take orthocyclen, but start a new pack every 3 weeks and skip the placebos. I haven't had a period in 5 years. I take it for endometriosis, and while I didn't have serious mood issues before, what I have now is still even better than what I had then, so I'd have to think it would help.
 

eekysign

New Member
I used to be on Yaz, not for PMDD, but it was a great little BC option. I was sad when I switched insurance companies, now I'm on the full-strength version, Yasmin. It's nice.

Definitely get a second opinion on the endocrinologist. My first one told me I wasn't exercising or eating right, too. And I'd gone to her, referred by my GYN, because I'd been following WW and exercising for a year, and I'd gained 40lbs! She told me I should be (I swear to god, these were her exact words): eating a salad for every meal. This lady honestly made me cry - she flat-out called me a liar, looked at me skeptically no matter WHAT I was saying, and told me that she just "couldn't help me until I told her the truth". I walked out and never went back.

Luckily the next one was awesome, tested me for LOCAH (something else for you to look up) and Cushing's, and when both were negative, we settled with what I pretty much had already realized I had: PCOS. But we had to rule out the others, just in case. I've lost those 40lbs without changing anything other than adding medications. Hooray! Go forth and find thee a good Endo!
 
N

Nomad

Guest
Also, please note there is controvery about what the correct numbers outght to be in terms of thyroid levels. AND if your thryoid is off just a little...it can cause HAVOC. AND, some women don't respond all that well to Synthroid...the gold standard. They need a T3 medication.

Are you taking D3? This seems to help a little with fatigue for some folks.

Also B12 ...methyl type?

You might try taking extra B6 premenstrually as well as extra Fish Oil.
 

babybear

New Member
So when I saw adrenal fatigue - I just wondered if anyone else has been diagnosis with it - or has a suggestion.

I've diagnosed myself, does that count? The only suggestion I have is emergen-c. The combination of c and b vitamins does seem to help. Make sure it is ok for you to take because it has potassium, magnesium,etc. and that could interfere with medications you are taking.
 

Star*

call 911........call 911
WOW I KNEW I came to the right place with this - Thanks everyone for all your help. Heather - I keep telling them I think Cushings - hump and all but will take some time to read the sites you recommended. Thank you for the link.

I'm going to make the appointment tomorrow. I did find another endo - so maybe he will actually take a look at my problem. See I was 5'9 - 135 lbs and built....then six months went by and I was 280 lbs.....and begged doctors for help. I had no change in my diet - I just gained another person. This was six or so years ago - and it's not getting any better, but I had medicaid and well - bottom or the heap. now I have Blue Cross, but the co pays are a killer. I would really just like someone to listen to me and make notes and go from there. Not just be told I'm fat - here's some Lasix - and it's mostly water weight and we dont' know why. My family doesn't understand why I get pushed through - and they did do a CT scan on my adrenals 4 years ago - but said nothing showed up. If I listed all my symptoms I'd have to add whiner....swear. lol.

Thanks all for your input. baby bear - I take boatloads of vit. c anda multi vitamin - I am supposed to take potassium supplement but can't due to making me sick - so maybe emergen c is the ticket. thanks.

eeky - I was diagnosis by quack with PCOS and insulin resistance, Metabolic Syndrom X - and then went to this new doctor because old doctor had me on 22 pills a day. New doctor said old doctor was a (made quack) quack and did a uterine ultrasound - said NOPE - no PCOS there. No cystic ovaries, no fibroids----then said "Lets get a hysterectomy." I went for that - and backed out due to costs and time off work.

I was FINE until I had kids - swear.
 

Abbey

Spork Queen
No cyber doctor here. You'd be dead by the end of the day on my opinion. BUT...you're always a phone call away, dear. No cell anymore...home number.

Abbey
 

TerryJ2

Well-Known Member
Wow. I am so sorry.
I would definitely get a new endocrinologist.
I also agree with-Heather.
Best of luck.
There IS something wrong if your cortisol levels are off the charts.
Hugs.
 
M

ML

Guest
I have heard that saliva tests are more accurate than blood for thyroid. All hormones are tied together. Actually Star I have a book that talks about all this if you pm me your address I'll send it to you. Hugs, ML
 

Wiped Out

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Star,
I'm glad you are going to make an appointment. with an endo tomorrow. With your levels of cortisol being so high you should definitely be checked out, it could be Cushings. I don't know a lot about Cushings but do a little since I have the opposite, which is Addison's. With Addison's there is always the possibility of being put on too much Cortisol which than can go towards Cushings.

I know when I was diagnosis'd with Addison's I was super skinny (my mom thought I had Anorexia-however, I literally was eating all the time. Within 2 weeks of being on Cortisone I gained almost 20 pounds (and kept going up).

I hope they can get to the bottom of things. Hugs.
 

flutterby

Fly away!
Star -

You're not supposed to take potassium with some blood pressure medications (mainly ACE inhibitors). So be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist (maybe pharmacist) first.
 

ScentofCedar

New Member
Star, our daughter still struggles with many of the symptoms you are experiencing. She seems to vacillate between Cushing's and Addison's, too. She does have polycystic ovaries, and has had a number of cysts removed ~ some of which had grown onto and into her bladder. (Ouch....) She sees an endocrinologist, and in the past has used metformin with remarkable success. When she needs an anti-diuretic, she is given spironolactone, not lasix. (The spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which actually helps with some of the other symptoms she experiences.) Metformin is Glucophage. Over time, she stopped the metformin, and her symptoms returned. She has recently been convinced to start the metformin again. We see an amazing change in her on this medication, but she doesn't like to take it. Another recent development was the discovery that her thyroid levels, when examined in depth by a competent specialist, turned out to be all over the map. And then, a tumor was found on her thyroid. It was biopsied, and turned out to be benign.

There is no easy answer for our daughter Star, and there may not be one for you. Our daughter suffered for years through misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis (many of them psychiatric) until the true cause of her difficulties was, if not found, at least narrowed down some.

Wishing you well, Star.

Check out metformin for PCOS. (I know you said you didn't have this ~ but when our daughter's cysts were removed, it turned out that wasn't the only, or even the primary, cause of her difficulties. Yet, the metformin made a remarkable difference for her.

I am so sorry that physician turned your illness into something to attack you with, Star.

So many of our medical people turn arrogant when they aren't able to help us.

You really should register a complaint with the Customer Service section of whatever clinic he or she is affiliated with. Not for your sake so much (too late, now) but so the next woman presenting with the same symptoms will be treated more respectfully.

Barbara
 
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