Factors that encourage the body to begin producing cortisol again

Posted by stevieb @stevieb, Apr 11 12:29am

(Newbie) Is this forum monitored by medical professional who can comment?

I would like to follow up on information I have about the circadian rhythm's affect on stimulating the body to produce cortisol.
And also the studies that indicate receptors in the back of the lower eye stimulate cortisol when combined with exposure to sunlight in the morning period of that circadian loop.

And I want to state that the only immediate relief I have found for painful PMR aching "flares" has been a specific strain of the herb supplement Mitragyna (Kratom). I have been on Prednisone for three years and have been using that to relieve that discomfort (not as a "cure").

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

@dadcue

According to my endocrinologist, a maintenance dose of prednisone for the rest of my life would be needed if my adrenal function didn’t improve.

Even after I got off prednisone, my endocrinologist said I shouldn’t hesitate to take prednisone again. She said my adrenal function was “adequate” for “normal days” but my cortisol level probably wasn’t adequate for more stressful days.

I have been off prednisone for 2 years so my cortisol level isn’t checked anymore unless I have symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

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I have now been odd prednisone for 2 months. I wonder how long it will take my adrenal glands to start producing normally and my cortisol level to come up to normal standards. I am constantly fatigued and taking naps in the daytime and then can’t sleep at night. My energy level is non existent.

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@tsharkey01

I have now been odd prednisone for 2 months. I wonder how long it will take my adrenal glands to start producing normally and my cortisol level to come up to normal standards. I am constantly fatigued and taking naps in the daytime and then can’t sleep at night. My energy level is non existent.

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I invite anyone in the group to add different opinions, but this is my advice for those first confronting these familiar experiences:
Your own natural Cordisol production is maximally created on a Circadian "Slope" .
Most of the production is in the morning, least at the end of the day. You want to encourage that "rhythm".
Get up with sunrise and walk even for 15 minutes (or more) towards the sun. Don't wear sunglasses but obviously don't look directly into the sun. (In the back of the bottom of your eye is a receptor that stimulates Cordisol production). Try to expose some of your skin to sunshine.
Try to do your active chores or activities at the beginning of the day and your less active tasks toward the end of the day. Turn lights on inside early in the day and subdued lighting at the end of the day. Don't be afraid to go to bed early if it calls to you. But try not to stare in the evening at bright tv, computer, or smart phones (I listen to audibles). This will at least begin to syncronize your Circadian/Cordisol correctly.
My experience was the "PMR told me" .... curl up in a ball on the floor don't move. But I found almost every time I went against that message and went outside, got a little fresh air, and even minimally puttered around in the garden or similar, my mood and energy picked up a little. I guess my biggest mistake was in the beginning being seduced by the Prednisone's immediate affects and having a Rheumatologist who knew how to write prescriptions but nothing about adrenal chemistry. So she agreed I could temporarily raise my dose significantly when I was going to participate in an activity that required strength, flexibility, and energy.
It took me an extra year to get back to the dose I was on previous to that.
The question of how or why our body could or would kick
back in making Cordisol on its own when the Cordisol is already being topped off is a question a lot of us are asking and I've yet to get a straight answer yet.
So my first responsibility is to myself and loved ones, to maximize functionality and quality of life...... " responsability to loved ones" refers to the what I call the "chemical depression" that accompanies my PMR.... A
depression that is more oppressing than sad or depressing.
I do use an herb, Mitraspeciosa (kratom) but it needs to be a specific strain, as different strains provide different results. I order from the Mitragaia company the " Super Green Malay" strain.
From there,....depression management is very personal and different for everyone.
For me, yoga is a double value, helping my body stay as supple as possible which minimizes the length of time my PMR flares last, and provides a sense of calm. I am so self absorbed as would be natural for anyone experiencing a pain that repeats with no end, I try to release from my self centered place in my head and do something kind for someone else.
I apologize to the group if these ideas seem silly or even offensive, it's just honest, .... I thought it useful for anyone who is first encountering this situation to hear at least one person's experience about making lifestyle choices to at least maximize their quality of life as they work on the other parts of the equation (clinical/pharmaceutical) .

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Typo:
The question of how or why our body could or would kick
back in making Cordisol on its own when the Cordisol is already being topped off WITH PREDNISONE is a question a lot of us are asking and I've yet to get a straight answer yet.

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@tsharkey01

I have now been odd prednisone for 2 months. I wonder how long it will take my adrenal glands to start producing normally and my cortisol level to come up to normal standards. I am constantly fatigued and taking naps in the daytime and then can’t sleep at night. My energy level is non existent.

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I have now developed neuropathy in both feet. I read this can be a by product of autoimmune disease. Has anyone else had this problem?

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@tsharkey01

I have now developed neuropathy in both feet. I read this can be a by product of autoimmune disease. Has anyone else had this problem?

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Yes ... but the neurologist doesn't know why I have peripheral neuropathy. My neuropathy is called "idiopathic" because I'm not diabetic and they don't think it is autoimmune related.

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@tsharkey01

I have now developed neuropathy in both feet. I read this can be a by product of autoimmune disease. Has anyone else had this problem?

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I have partial neuropathy in each of my feet, that I've always assigned to operations I had for severed Achilles tendon and two separate hip replacements.
I have gotten temporary relief from Acupuncture, and also from a very good "Rolfing" therapist (facia release).
The Rolfing therapy has amazing results that lasted about a month, but too expensive to do again. The acupuncture worked really well , with the neuropathy returning partially enough that it doesn't bother me enough to get more treatments.

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