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Adrenaline or Cortisol Surges
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!
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It is a good question as to what is going on with you.
I know for me I would do a digest or a diary. With some of the following time of day, eat each one of my meals
But I would start first with weight and blood pressure
Your activities for the a.m. p.m. and when do these attacks occur?
To see if there is any thing that stands out
Like if you have food allergies and if you keep eating the same thing over and over and these attacks occur right after or shortly after you’ve eaten them
As we age, our body has less and less ability to handle certain things as it did when we were younger
I wish the very best for you and figuring this out but right now you need to be your own detective to see what is going on
I wish you the very best
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2 ReactionsI do not have an answer. So I hope you find out what is wrong and get it fixed. My Addison's is controlled by my meds.
You said eating protein seems to help. Buy some protein 20-30gm shakes. Not very expensive. That might give you a boost as well tp delay any bad symptoms. I take on every day.
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1 Reaction@ready4vacation welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We members here at Mayo Clinic Connect shouldn’t be diagnosing or prescribing. That said, I’ve got to say that what you are describing as “adrenaline or cortisol attacks” sounds a lot like hypoglycemia. There is a condition called Reactive Hypoglycemia (I think) that is the opposite of diabetes. It causes abnormally low blood sugar the majority of the time and vicious drops periodically. I’m not sure of the cause, perhaps too much insulin being produced and released too often. This is something that an endocrinologist could test for, diagnose and treat. Since diabetes is on the rise and becoming such a common problem maybe the endocrinologists that you’ve seen haven’t considered this. It is a less common condition.
I am 51 years diabetic. When I was in college a coworker had this. We compared notes and were surprised to discover that we had similar symptoms, problems and treatments. Both involved keeping the blood sugar balanced. A key factor for her was to have a consistent amount of protein throughout the day, limit carbohydrates and have an easy source of emergency protein available. As Retep51 @peter51f suggested a protein shake might be helpful. So might protein bars. But be sure to check the carbohydrates and any added sugars because if you indeed have Reactive Hypoglycemia, those ingredients with just drive your blood sugar lower. This girl that I knew had the habit of keeping hard boiled eggs &/or cheese with her in a little cooler. This was in the days before protein shakes and bars or even string cheese.
Regarding weight gain, if you are consuming more carbohydrate and fat than your body needs it will wind up as weight gain. Protein is less likely to contribute to that. Diabetics who are taking insulin sometimes have issues with weight gain. It boils down to having the correct amount of insulin, food and exercise to achieve the proper metabolism. Sometimes the body is uncooperative and makes too little or too much insulin. Then the person needs to make adjustments to help it out such as insulin, medication, dietary changes, exercise and so on.
Please ask your medical provider to at least consider this possibility and get back to us on what you find out?
While I don't have an answer for your problem,, please consider checking the following.
Please check your pituitary adenoma - size, shape and what treatment you should have. Pituitary tumors can cause Cushing's disease. If a person is on long term Prednisone, they can get Iatrogenic Cushing's (a crushing's type syndrome without the tumor).
Please check your adrenals - which control the production of Cortisol. If the Pituitary and the Adrenals are not "speaking" to each other, there are problems with cortisol levels. Keep track of symptoms and food in a diary - to help determine - truly - if there is a connection and how you feel after eating protein, recovery of symptoms, etc. (Any provider would recommend this first - so you might as well start with this while waiting for an appointment.)
Check your numerous Diabetes labs - inclusive of fasting blood sugar, as well as a glucose tolerance test - to see if there are symptoms, but what is happening with your blood sugars. Possibly consider fingerstick or Dexcom to monitor sugar - to see if you are hypoglycemic with frequent lowering of glucose. Eating protein is good as it stabilizes blood sugar instead of having carbs which are good - but a quick source of energy which can cause a rapid lowering of glucose in the body - possibly producing more symptoms.
Keep track of weight, A1C, C reactive protein, etc.
It can be very frustrating to manage yourself - and trying to find the right provider to assist you.
Hope these suggestions will be helpful. Good luck and feel better.
@pht1123 Thanks so much for the GREAT advice and information!!