@hopscotch
Hi. It's now 2026 - three years after you posted. I hope you're feeling better. I'm writing because I'm having similar issues, though not as many spikes. Have you gotten to the bottom of this? If so, please share. In the meantime, here's my story, below. Please comment if you have any questions or you can provide any suggestions. Thank you so much!!

I have adrenaline or cortisol attacks every three hours during each and every day, and a couple times during the middle of the night before I wake. I've been dealing with this for 2 1/2 years, and not a single doctor (including several endocrinologists) can tell me what's going on. Does anyone else have this, or know what causes it?

When the attacks first started happening, I'd get frantic, almost like a panic attack - breathing fast, adrenaline surging, anxious, impatient, desperate, etc. Now, knowing the signs when they're coming on, I simply eat a plate full of protein, vegetables and complex carbs and that stops the symptoms fin their tracks, until precisely three hours later, when they come again. Occasionally, get brain fog if the symptoms arrive before I eat, and I can't think straight which is scary. I put my feet higher than my head and rest until I'm better. It's affected my quality of life, needless to say, and I need to have food with me at all times when the symptoms come.

Unfortunately, one endocrinologist insists these are panic attacks and wants me to see a shrink for some CBT. I've got a pituitary adenoma (and have had a few high cortisol tests, which the Dr. says is normal with stress, HRT, etc.). I don't have diabetes, though my a1c is creeping up as all this eating is causing me to gain weight. I've gained 30 lbs over this time.

I'm aware the "food" is the only way ""I"" know of to stop these attacks from causing who-know-what from happening. I don't know what else to do. Feels like I'm gonna die if I don't stop the feelings / attack.

Does anyone have issues like this, or know what this might be?

Thanks so much for your thoughts!