Adrenaline spikes: Med detective needed, award given

@bumble81 I agree with you that my symptoms seem to be hormonal as well! But doctors seem to think middle aged women are depressed or anxious when their endocrine systems seem to be off! I’m 45, and 5 years ago I had my uterus and both ovaries removed due to endometriosis, and then about a year after that my thyroid stopped working properly, so I’m Synthroid now, as well as estrogen and progesterone. When the doses of either the thyroid or estrogen change, they affect these hot flash adrenaline rushes that always hit me at 3:30am like clockwork!

My body is telling me it is related to hormones, but I haven’t seen an endocrinologist (and from reading this thread, I’m not sure how much help they may be either). It’s frustrating to have mental health conflated with physical health! I don’t get it? I wonder if it is a lack of knowledge in the field? Or lack of focus on women’s health? It’s super irritating to have to search the web to get any kind of understanding of what is going on, though...

@libjen, I feel your pain and frustration. I am 37 and had my uterus removed in 2015. I still have my ovaries and have considered the possibility that maybe I am experiencing that stat of early menopause brought on by having my uterus removed. I asked my physician to run the tests to which he replied "take it up with the endocrinologist" I was opened to the idea that this was all in my head like the doctor said. Got therapy and became well versed in cognitive behavioral therapy, breathing exercises and what not.

I have become a shut in because of this. Sure, I might be dealing with some depression but I am more frustrated than anything.
I understand there is a gender bias in medicine. It is well documented. Even my cardiologist said that my symptoms would have gotten a man hospitalized.

@libjen, I feel your pain and frustration. I am 37 and had my uterus removed in 2015. I still have my ovaries and have considered the possibility that maybe I am experiencing that stat of early menopause brought on by having my uterus removed. I asked my physician to run the tests to which he replied "take it up with the endocrinologist" I was opened to the idea that this was all in my head like the doctor said. Got therapy and became well versed in cognitive behavioral therapy, breathing exercises and what not.

I have become a shut in because of this. Sure, I might be dealing with some depression but I am more frustrated than anything.
I understand there is a gender bias in medicine. It is well documented. Even my cardiologist said that my symptoms would have gotten a man hospitalized.

I have found the solution. I have all the symptoms you have described: surges of cortisol at various times of day, nightmares waking up with surges. Feeling so miserable unable to function. I desperately searched the internet and I found an anxiety centre in London, Ontario that specializes in treating these horrible cortisol surges. It is anxietycentre.com. They call what we have hyperstimulation. There is a wonderful reassuring graph showing the levels of cortisol with varying degrees of this illness. I didn't hesitate to join because the information is priceless and they have therapists who have all recovered from this themselves. I can't begin to describe the relief. You can join a weekly Skype lecture by the director. Aside from everything they recommend I had a severe Vitamin C deficiency. My teeth were separating, injuries wouldn't heal etc. When you are under stress you go through Vitamin C like crazy and it only lasts in your bloodstream a few hours. I studied up on it and am taking 3000 mg 3x a day. That made a huge difference. And the biggest most fantastic discovery is CBD oil made from Hemp. There are many companies who sell it on the internet. Within 2 day of taking 500 mg twice a day -- no surges!!! No irritability -- I feel better than I have in as long as I can remember. Google "Best CBD oil" and only purchase it from those manufacturers who have had independent lab tests for purity. My father is dying and we are putting our dog to sleep today and I am without symptoms. Oh gosh I hope this helps you. The suffering is unbelievable. Pass the word the diagnosis is hyperstimulation and the experts are at anxietycentre.com. No doctor in the USA that I have found understands this. It is an anxiety disorder.

I have found the solution. I have all the symptoms you have described: surges of cortisol at various times of day, nightmares waking up with surges. Feeling so miserable unable to function. I desperately searched the internet and I found an anxiety centre in London, Ontario that specializes in treating these horrible cortisol surges. It is anxietycentre.com. They call what we have hyperstimulation. There is a wonderful reassuring graph showing the levels of cortisol with varying degrees of this illness. I didn't hesitate to join because the information is priceless and they have therapists who have all recovered from this themselves. I can't begin to describe the relief. You can join a weekly Skype lecture by the director. Aside from everything they recommend I had a severe Vitamin C deficiency. My teeth were separating, injuries wouldn't heal etc. When you are under stress you go through Vitamin C like crazy and it only lasts in your bloodstream a few hours. I studied up on it and am taking 3000 mg 3x a day. That made a huge difference. And the biggest most fantastic discovery is CBD oil made from Hemp. There are many companies who sell it on the internet. Within 2 day of taking 500 mg twice a day -- no surges!!! No irritability -- I feel better than I have in as long as I can remember. Google "Best CBD oil" and only purchase it from those manufacturers who have had independent lab tests for purity. My father is dying and we are putting our dog to sleep today and I am without symptoms. Oh gosh I hope this helps you. The suffering is unbelievable. Pass the word the diagnosis is hyperstimulation and the experts are at anxietycentre.com. No doctor in the USA that I have found understands this. It is an anxiety disorder.

What cbd oil do u use...it would be great to know. ..cause I really think that would help me to

Hi havr you ever found out the cause ? Did they resolve? I have similar issues.mine started about 8 months ago ..when I was put on sotal for my heart rythem problems.since then they have gradualy gotten worse...as of justmow iv had over a dozen attacks for 3 hours.feels like a buzzing then racing heart.my bp goes way up to dagrous levels.iv bern put on medcation to stop my heart rate from going up.I. need some serous help to.

@jk Thank you for your response. Not having a diagnosis is one of the hardest parts of a problem, physical or mental, and I'm glad you were proactive in getting help. Sounds like it saved your life. I live in a large urban area with plenty of medical help, although I belong to an HMO, so access to doctors can be limited. They are very good about testing for various things, and while this is good, it is often the end of the conversation if nothing shows up.
Overactive brain is definitely frustrating--I have tried meditation, listening to audible books, and some Yoga before bed. My sister swears by a little warm milk with cinnamon if she gets up in the night. 🙂 Hope you find something that works.