Holistic Adrenal Health Support For Ptsd Symptoms

[Skadi]

Hi, I'm new to posting here though I've gotten so much help from reading everyone's posts. I wanted to share what's helping me in case it may help someone else. For a bit of history I have CPTSD and have suffered for decades.

A big change happened after I saw a naturopath who ran tests to find imbalances in my body. What she found was Adrenal Fatigue with high adrenaline spikes and low Cortisol.

My layman's understanding is that for many people with PTSD the adrenals get overworked by spike after spike of adrenaline (adrenaline is involved in the fight or flight response). Adrenaline can rise during trauma, flashbacks or when triggered or startled. Initially Cortisol (a stress hormone) rises too high as well. Over time the adrenals can no longer keep up with producing high Cortisol and so Cortisol plummets.

Some of the many possible symptoms of low cortisol:
depression
desire to isolate
memory problems
emotional hypersensitivity
inability to cope with stress
heart palpitations

My naturopath has me take:
- Licorice solid extract, 1/8th to 1/4th tsp two times per day. It raised my cortisol level and I felt significantly better after a few days.
- Immuwell pills help me with mood, memory, and I feel they're helping support/heal the adrenals. Another adrenal fatigue formula may work just as well.
- Magnesium reduces heart palpitations and gives me a sense of calm. I take it in pill form or Epsom salt baths.

From what I understand most conventional doctors don't treat adrenal fatigue so if you're suffering similarly consider finding a naturopath with experience in treating adrenal fatigue.

So far I feel like an improved version of myself. I feel stronger emotionally every day, I have fewer adrenaline surges and I'm not as jumpy. My memory and ability to concentrate has improved. I feel more like a human being, I'm dissociating less frequently. When I have flashbacks they aren't as overwhelming.

I wish I'd known about adrenals decades ago and I hope in sharing it saves someone else a bit of time and suffering. <3

 

[Glo809]

Hi, I'm new to posting here though I've gotten so much help from reading everyone's posts. I wanted to s...

Greetings

I have Conns Syndrome, which is also a adrenal condition, in my case there is a tumor attached to one of them, and as a result makes it pump out the hormone aldrostrone, which in turn makes my blood pressure skyrocket.

Licorice is off limits for me.
G

 

[Friday]

Huh. That's interesting. It's usually the other way around; elevated cortisol levels play havoc on the body leading to; heart disease, diabetes, obesity, a very screwed up immune system, GI problems, inflammation, fertility issues, and a whole host of other issues that are less life threatening, but can make life quite challenging (stress related illnesses not listed above, premature signs of aging, etc.). So most people with high levels of stress have to work to lower their cortisol levels / it doesn't drop on its own. That yours does is pretty fascinating.

Here's a pretty basic overview Cortisol — Its Role in Stress, Inflammation, and Indications for Diet Therapy

Do you have a history of kidney damage, kidney disease, Addisons, other hormone imbalances, or malnutrition?

 

[Glo809]

Greetings

After I got out of the service in 1990, I did not go to the Dr for ten years.

Then it happened, lost my balance on the stairs and slid down them and the Mrs said that's it, off to the Dr you go.

70+ K later I had Conns, stage 2 kidney failure, CHF with an ejection factor of less that 16%, type 2 diabetic.

16 years later I'm still here, and on 3 meds inspra to counteract the aldrostone, coreg to manage bp and 325mg asprin to keep my blood as thin as water.

Never took anything for the diabetes as I was diagnosed almost the day I turned diabetic. They knew it was going to happen since 99% of Conns victims get it.

But I live in a very narrow field of life, my diet is low carb (100 g or less per day), low salt, moderate protein and high fat.

I take my bs once per month 75-120 readings are constant and a a1c of 5.5 or less, bp average 130/65.

G

 

[shimmerz]

So most people with high levels of stress have to work to lower their cortisol levels / it doesn't drop on its own. That yours does is pretty fascinating.

I think cortisol is a finite resource in the body. While the body has it and one is under stress (especially chronic) it courses through the body. There comes a time though that the river runs dry and that leads to a whole different set of issues.

I believe Cushing's is a manifestation of too much Cortisol in the body and Addison's is too little.

 

[Skadi]

Huh. That's interesting. It's usually the other way around; elevated cortisol levels play havoc on the b...

I have the same understanding of it that Shimmerz has shared. Cortisol raises when the body is under stress. The Cortisol stays elevated under continuing stress until it is exhausted and the body can no longer keep up the elevated Cortisol level. That's when Cortisol drops too low even though there are still stressors (such as PTSD). I don't know how long it takes the typical person to go from too high Cortisol levels to too low Cortisol levels.

Either way (elevated Cortisol or too low Cortisol) can wreak havoc on mental and physical health.

I was given a saliva test taken 4 times throughout the day and it mapped out the exact pattern of cortisol production throughout the day. My naturopath ordered the test, but I've also seen saliva tests on Amazon where you can send it into the lab yourself.

I was told that it can take anywhere from 8 months to 2 years to heal the adrenals and I'm feeling steadily better. I'm assuming that with PTSD I'll need to periodically support the adrenals throughout my life.

 

[Skadi]

Greetings

I have Conns Syndrome, which is also a adrenal condition, in my case there is a tumor attache...

Sorry to hear you're dealing with Conns Syndrome Glow809. If you find out that you have low Cortisol there are other herbs that don't effect blood pressure.

There are also some herbs that act as adaptogens, meaning they help the body balance Cortisol whether it's too high or too low.

 

[EveHarrington]

Will try this. Can't afford a naturopath myself.

 

[Skadi]

Huh. That's interesting. It's usually the other way around; elevated cortisol levels play havoc on the b...

In the first stages of adrenal imbalance labs typically show elevated levels of epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, cortisol, DHEA and insulin.

Over time "continued demand for increased cortisol production necessitates ongoing ACTH release by the pituitary, but the adrenals can eventually experience difficulty in meeting the demand. This difficulty begins the first stage of adrenal exhaustion."

A helpful graph on the site Core One Health shows how the body goes from too high Cortisol in the first stages to adrenal exhaustion with low Cortisol and failure in later stages. I'm not able to post the link, but it's on the site Core One Health found under the topic "adrenal syndrome."

Searching online under "stages of adrenal exhaustion" brings up some great info that explains the typical progression from too high to too low levels. It also helps clarify the symptom differences from the beginning stage to the more advanced stages.

 

[Sweet_E]

Will try this. Can't afford a naturopath myself.

There is a program called Cooking for Balance that I took. I was a little pricey for the online class but it was very informative. She is a nutrition coach and has a protocol for adrenal fatigue and a bunch of other hormone issues. While this is not a substitute for a doctor's care, it gave me a lot of info of things I can do for myself and includes Facebook community where you can get continual support.

 

[Madhavi]

Hi, I'm new to posting here though I've gotten so much help from reading everyone's posts. I wanted to s...

Hello,
I read your post. Can you confirm adrenal thing.. Maybe i am showing same symptoms. I had a car accident 6 days back. Now when i see a car coming close, or any turn we ought to take.. Even something like a brake.... Gets me knots in tummy..
Its tough to explain.as if someone is squeezing my visceral organs... heart is in mouth...i want to cry, feel choked. I have been going blank a lot. Would you call this immunity issue?
Plz help

 

[VioletButterfly]

@Skadi - Thank you for all of the wonderful information! I have determined that I Cushing's Syndrome. By looking at your stages, I'm in phase 2 or 3 on the adrenal fatigue scale. I've been suffering with this for a while now, but my cortisol, DHEA and ACTH took a major jump in 2014, along with my cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides went up, DL went into the basement), and my TSH jumped a couple of points. My cortisol is at a 6.4 on day 2 when it's supposed to be below 1.9, so I'm dealing with a great deal of side effects along with gaining 30 pounds around my midsection in the blink of an eye right. I've seen an Endo who did all of the blood work and had an MRI to rule out tumors, but she had no suggestions for what to do about this as there is no medication available.

I know what my triggers were and still are, and am trying to make modifications as I can. It's horrifying to consider what stress, in all forms, can do. I only have to look in the mirror and at my blood work to be reminded that I need to get a handle on this before I start a downward slide. I have heard this is much worse to deal with than having it up high where I'm at right now. I just worry about inflammation and the damage it's doing inside of me.

I have already done some research, but am continuing to fine-tune a lifestyle regimen to help my body heal while I continue to look around for answers. While I'm researching, I'm trying to note where different resources cross paths in terms of effectiveness as there are so many varied suggestions available. It's a bit overwhelming and can be very expensive. I'm also working on just settling my mind, being with others and trying to feel natural in doing so, by reaching into my faith for support, by showing compassion to others, and in feeding my body as best as I can figure with all that I have on board. Walking is the next item to get on board. It seems to be a multi-tiered process to healing the body that takes balancing many aspects of the mind-body connection.

Has anyone applied any natural treatments or modalities to help in lowering cortisol and healing themselves that has worked better than others?

Thanks. VB