Cortisol?
I just read and read trying to figure out the underlying cause of my daughters anxiety and moodiness. Recently I've been researching a lot on cortisol, and how it increases during stress. The levels should fluctuate throughout the day, but it seems some people have higher than normal levels either all day or certain times. This leads to all sorts of symptoms, including sleep problems, anxiety, panic, aggitation.
This makes sense to me and I could definitely see my daughter maybe having this problem, which I read from one study those with bipolar do have. Some people react more to stress, and I would say this is my daughter. Plus, if her cortisol is higher than it should be even during non stressful times then she might always be on edge.
There is a sailva test you can take. You must give 4 samples in a 24 hour period as the cortisol levels are normally lower or higher at different times of the day & then send them to a lab to be tested. I also read high cortisol leads to low serotonin and dopamine. And some are saying some supplements will lower cortisol, like Ashaqhanda and sephris (spelled wrong?) and some other supps that I can't remember right now.
Anyone have experience with this saliva test. For $109 dollars I can get this test (don't think I need doc for it). I might do it and see what the results show.
Also, studies show some things we can do will reduce cortisol, like yoga, meditation, deep breathing and it was even suggested vitamins. My daughter took yoga in school in Kindergarten and LOVED it. One study showed that 35 minutes of yoga each day for 12 weeks lead to overall lower cortisol during non stress times, and increases of cortisol during high stress times that was 1/2 compared to subjects who did not do yoga. I am going to buy a DVD and do yoga with her. Also massage helps. Interesting that these are 2 things she loves so I am going to incorporate both into our day as much as possible. Maybe she knows what she needs and I should listen to her more carefully.
I normally wait for the fire and then try to put it out. I think I'll try massage and yoga to prevent the fire to begin with.
That sounds like a great plan! I think it would be helpful to most anyone, and I hope you have good results for your dd.
I'm pretty sure integrative MD's look at cortisol when evaluating a patient. Have you thought of going that route?
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Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2
Married 18 years to DH, 51
FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
After reading so much from this site, I recently started looking into integrative MD's in my area. I found one and am going to call. I wonder if they take my insurance. It's a route I would gladly take, even if out of pocket, but if we have to pay I think it would take some convincing with my husband. In the back of his mind I know he still believes some tough love is the answer.
My younger daughter has had numerous cortisol tests done by several different doctors. She has had them done via 24-hour urine collection, serum (blood) levels and multiple tests via saliva. Like many people who have had severe prolonged stress and thus the resulting hypothalamiv-pituitary-adrenal axis HYPOfunctioning, she had LOW cortisol levels for many years. This low cortisol has been associated with predisposing people to PTSD and phobias. We opted to NOT supplement with cortisol and just help her heal in general. Help sleep, other hormone balancing, get off foods causing issues, changed some medications.... she did improve and her cortisol is no longer low.... but it has been YEARS.
--Jeanie aka "Naomi"
It's Not Mental-The Book
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
Called the integrative doc office near me and found out it's $500.00 for initial appointment, then seperate cost for tests they might recommend then then ? I'm thinking it will be a grand just to get started. They do not take my insurance. I would have to put in some special paper work requesting my insurance pay. My best guess is the answer will be no.
Before I go that route, I will continue to look for a doctor that is covered. I have one lead. It's a pysch who is listed under holistic medicine and does list insurance that he takes. One of them not being mine but I am going to call.
I was giving my daughter L theanine, then switched to Tryptophan, then gave both. It was 200 mg l-theanine and 500 mg of Tryptophan, along with her empower plus (trying to give her at least 10 per day). We gave the Tryptophan on an empty stomach as I read this is how to get it to get to her brain. She's been really nauseous and last night was quite bad, with even her teeth chattering at one point. So, no more of that combo. Even though I've read these amounts are very safe, I was scared, so I've come to realize that I should not be playing with these supplements as I am no expert. It's really a shame as she had really stable moods, with even her Math homework not setting her off.
If I can't find a doc that takes our insurance, I will probably try True Hopes amino acids first. I do feel safe using True Hopes products.