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Post by Karen on Oct 7, 2010 17:59:28 GMT -5
Ok, so here's a quick synopsis. The symptoms I'm experiencing (which prompted my doc to check) are underlined. The GABA description doesn't make sense to me, but I've read elsewhere that lower levels of GABA can account for issues with climaxing. Umm, helLO, that's me! I've always had low blood pressure, too. Wonder if any of these play into things...
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Considered the body’s natural tranquilizer, GABA’s function is to regulate the output of excitatory neurotransmission. Elevated GABA is often observed in response to elevated excitatory activity. High GABA levels, in the presence of high excitatory activity, are associated with sleep issues, nervousness, anxiousness, panic attacks, irritability, hyperactivity, restlessness, low impulse control and seizures. Very low GABA levels may occur as a result of prolonged GABA depletion. High GABA activity without concurrent excitatory elevation results in reduced inhibition and sleepiness. GABA agonists include allopregnanolone, barbiturates, and alcohol.
Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and plays a pivotal role in maintaining a balance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Serotonin neurons innervate many regions of the brain; as such this transmitter influences many of the body’s processes. Low serotonin levels have been associated with a number of symptoms, including low mood, uncontrolled appetite, headaches, GI distress, anxiousness, irritability, sleep issues, chronic fatigue, premenstrual complaints, impulsivity, hypoglycemia, and insulin resistance. Excessive serotonin levels are somewhat uncommon, but have been observed in children with neurological issues and in patients with serotonin syndrome as a result of medication excess.
Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenalin, is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for most of the activity within the sympathetic nervous system. Norepinephrine neurons are most active during the awake state and are important for focused attention and memory. High levels are linked to feelings of aggression, anxiousness, emotional lability, mania, high blood pressure, immune suppression, stress and hyperactivity. Low levels are linked to lack of energy, focus, and motivation as well as poor memory, low mood, and fatigue.
Epinephrine, also known as adrenalin, is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is important for energy, and mental focus. Low levels can result in fatigue, lack of focus, and difficulty losing weight. High levels are observed in patients experiencing sleeping problems, anxiousness and high blood pressure. Hyperactivity can be seen with both high and low levels of epinephrine. Low epinephrine and norepinephrine can be indicators of adrenal stress and subsequent adrenal insufficiency.
Dopamine can be considered either an inhibitory or excitatory neurotransmitter, depending on the receptors located in various areas of the brain. Dopamine neurons extend into regions of the brain which control movement, memory, and addiction. Low dopamine is associated with attention difficulties, hyperactivity, memory deficits, poor fine motor control and cravings. High dopamine has been observed in patients with paranoia, high blood pressure, short-term memory problems and poor GI function. There are also dysfunctions in the dopamine system with developmental delay and addictions, which may manifest in either high or low levels of dopamine.
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Post by Karen on Oct 7, 2010 18:09:43 GMT -5
Oh, and I should add that my energy levels have gotten considerably better since I started the adrenal gland support, but the fogginess was still there, thus the additional tests.
I know this stuff doesn't directly relate to endo, but I think once a lot of us have a diagnosis, every other symptom that we may have is blamed on that one thing and docs aren't quick to look for other answers. We also tend to assume that our only issues are in our pelvic area, but having a chronic disease can take quite a toll on the entire body! I guess I'm just posting all this stuff to let you girls know that there are other measurable explanations for some of the symptoms that seem to go hand in hand with endo, and I'd encourage you to find a doc that believes in that, too!
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Post by Karen on Oct 12, 2010 17:41:32 GMT -5
Had a follow up today. Here's the latest: 1. Hormone Levels: Estrogen was low, but progesterone was lower than it should be to balance out the estrogen I have (still estrogen dominant). She's going to keep me at 75 mg of progesterone from day 7-14 of my cycle, then from day 15-period, I'll be up to 150 mg to help balance out the estrogen and hopefully lesson painful periods. We're hoping this will balance my hormones more, and eventually the goal is to get me off progesterone on days 7-14. I didn't ovulate again this month, so we're going to lower my DHEA and see if that helps. If it doesn't, we're going to lower my testosterone, which was borderline high but she wanted to keep it there since I'm noticing (good) results. 2. She's keeping me in the inflammation supplement. I've taken a few more a day leading up to my period so I'm hoping it'll help out. 3. Since all my neurotransmitter levels were low, she's putting me on a supplement to up my serotonin levels. She has me on a supplement that gives my body the precursors my body needs to create higher levels of serotonin. I have a friend that's on the same supplement and she's seeing results. Basically, my doc said serotonin is responsible for reducing anxiety and help with the brain fog I've been experiencing. 4. She also put me on another supplement for adrenal support in addition to the one I'm already on. All in all, I'm still hopeful every time I leave her office. Though now I'm starting to get a bit overwhelmed with the number of supplements I have to take every day. I already take quite a few, and the new ones I'm on have to be taken at certain times of the day/month. I think I need bigger pill boxes. But, if it helps, I'll do anything!!
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Post by KSA on Oct 12, 2010 22:38:05 GMT -5
Karen that is awesome it it working for you. Get the weekly pill box. That is what I have it I put each days worth of pills in its space. Helps me remember what I need to take too. The brain fog my doc told me the same thing about serotonin. Dark Chocolate, bananas and flaxseed are foods that can increase your levels too. I will find a site for you about that my neurologist told me about it when I started getting foggy. Thanks for sharing I love reading all you stuff. Its really helpful!
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Post by Karen on Oct 13, 2010 6:12:26 GMT -5
Ooh, thanks for the tips on serotonin foods! I should really look into that more, though I already eat bananas on a regular basis. If you're able to find that site, pass it along!
I have the small pill boxes - each one keeps 2 days worth and are easy enough to throw in my purse, but I think I am going to cave and get the bigger one! Ha ha, I think I'll need a bigger purse!!
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Post by hellsbells on Oct 13, 2010 14:06:54 GMT -5
You've had some great results though, hope it keeps getting better!
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Post by jhogan on Oct 26, 2010 11:08:19 GMT -5
Wow Karen, you are really taking control of your medical issues. I admire your tenacity but I wonder how you deal with the emotional exhaustion of managing it all. I don't think I could do all of the supplements, but you have inspired me to try the adrenal support again (my GI system is sooooo sensitive and i opt for less oral meds for that reason). I totally identify with your fatigue issues and I have been told by a chiropractor that I should be on an adrenal support supplement. As far as the allergy test; I'm so glad my insurance covered that because I tested negative for things I know I am allergic to, that was disappointing in that the scratch test is not definitive as you described in one of your earlier posts. Please keep posting and I will keep reading!
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Post by Karen on Oct 26, 2010 11:55:28 GMT -5
Yeah, I took a long break from doing anything for a while, then hunkered down & squeezed in a ton of appointments once I got new insurance. I certainly had some tears over the stress of it all, but have a great therapist, and she's the one that suggested my current doc. If I hadn't found her, I would have taken a break again! Now that I have the new doc & have progress, it's easy to keep up the motivation. The cost is starting to get to me, but it's well worth it for quality of life!
I kind of figured this post was more for me as a reminder of how far I've come, but am also more than happy to share to motivate others to take charge!
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Post by Karen on Oct 26, 2010 11:58:02 GMT -5
Oh, and besides the hormones, the adrenal support has been the most amazing change of it all! I'd highly suggest anyone to look into it, though I'd suggest being under the care of a doc for it. Well worth it - I feel like I have my personality back most days!
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Post by Karen on Dec 2, 2010 7:32:50 GMT -5
Just a quick update - I had a two month check-in with my doc. We made the following tweaks, and I'll follow up again in 2 months:
1. Continue with my current dose of progesterone - 75 mg from day 7-13, then 150 mg from day 14-start of period. I've been on this dose for 2 months now and my last period was an absolute breeze. Don't know if it's related to the hormone change yet or not but I'll take it! 2. Change my dose/delivery of testosterone. My mind has been totally preoccupied with sex so I think it's time to turn down the dose a bit. But, although my mind is totally into sex, my body still isn't responding. So, she's changing the formula to one that I can apply directly to my girly parts... Haven't picked it up yet, should be interesting. Fingers crossed it'll improve my body's... erm... response time? 3. No more DHEA. I was on a low dose, we'll try me being off of it for a bit. I've been getting a weird flush on my face after I take my pills in the a.m., and that's the only one that I can pinpoint it to so far. 4. I'm going to increase my serotonin support. I feel WAY better these days since I've been on it, but there still seems to be room for improvement. We'll try this out, see how it goes. 5. Keep my adrenal support the same. Took a while to tweak my dosages to what it is now, but it seems to be a good dose. My energy levels are soooo much better, it's an awesome feeling!
I'm always cold, my basal body temp is always a bit lower than normal, and I have a lower blood pressure. My doc said those are typical indicators of adrenal issues, and that once my body gets back into more balance, those should start to resolve. She also said that weight loss is kind of the last thing to fall into place once adrenal issues are improved. She instructed me not to do more than weight training and light cardio for workouts until then, as it could strain my body further. I'm still holding steady at the same weight since August (dropped about 20+ pounds when I first started the treatment) so at least that's an improvement.
I started seeing her in May and it's been fun for me to see the transformation. What a difference a good doc can make!!!
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Post by Karen on Jan 25, 2011 20:49:36 GMT -5
Figured I'd add another update. This post is more for me and my own progress than for anyone else!
Met with my doc this morning. The thing that I love about her is that she'll listen to me, listen to what I think needs to be done, and then give me her own input and we'll agree on what we do. Yay for that!
First off, pain is next to nothing these days so progesterone is doing it's trick. I was taking 75 mg from day 7 to day 13, then on day 14 through my period I'd take 150 mg. Since progesterone can delay ovulation (which it seems to be on the months that I ovulate), we agreed to keep me at 75 mg from day 7 until after I ovulate, then bump up my dose only after I ovulate. I feel comfortable with that.
A few months ago, I went off DHEA all together because I thought it was causing a flush on my face after I took it. After I stopped, I kept getting the flush (which I later pinpointed to niacin in my adrenal supplements) so we agreed I should go back on it, that it may help with my foul mood as of late.
She also added a supplement for dopamine support because of my mood.
She's also checking my thyroid - TSH, which has always been normal, but including T3 and T4, too. If my TSH is above 2 or T3 is below 3 (I think?), she'll add a low dose thyroid med to the mix. Since I'm pretty much maxed out on adrenal supplements and I'm still not 100%, this is the next logical step. My BP is still really low (100/60 today) and my basal body temp is still low (96.8) and she was hoping those would get better with adrenal support but it's still not... So, hopefully, the thyroid test will show something.
She's also going to run a cholesterol/triglycerides, etc. When I had my cholesterol checked last year, it was close to 300 total (although my good cholesterol is SUPER good) so it'll be interesting to see if it changed at all due to just hormonal/adrenal balancing.
I stopped by my compounding pharmacy today and had to wait a minute so I started reading some of the pamphlets they had in the waiting area that really explain the role of hormones and how bio-identicals can really help. I'll post when I have a second to scan it in!
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Post by katiev on Jan 26, 2011 20:50:10 GMT -5
Good luck! I would maybe make the appt for the gynae bc they are sometimes booking for months ahead.
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Post by Karen on Jan 26, 2011 21:16:04 GMT -5
Nah, I have no reason to see a gyn at this point. My current doc is a GP but specializes in women's issues and has been a miracle worker. I think the next time I see a gyn it'll only be for my yearly physical.
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Post by Karen on Jan 27, 2011 19:53:41 GMT -5
Hmm, just got a call from my doc (at 6:30 PM! Could tell she was calling from home - her dog was barking in the background! I love her...) with my test results. She told me there were some odd things (her words!) that showed up on some of the tests...
1. TSH is normal (1.3) but T4 is low (.72) and T3 is on very the low end of normal (2). The way she explained it was that my pituitary gland isn't telling my thyroid to make enough thyroid hormone. T4 levels indicate if the thyroid is able to produce enough hormone, and T3 levels indicate if T4 is being properly converted into T3. She's putting me on a moderate dose of thyroxine (I think that's what she said?), which is supposed to supplement my T4. I've suspected for YEARS that something wasn't right with my thyroid, but my TSH always comes back normal. Maybe this explains why I'm always so damn cold?
2. Cholesterol is getting even higher - this time it's 314. Based on my very good HDL and triglicerides she doesn't suspect insulin resistance, but she doesn't have any explanation for it. Thyroid meds could help bring it down a bit.
3. She also ran a chem panel and said there were some interesting results... My BUN is borderline (high or low? I don't remember) but paired with a high creatinine, it's a sign that my kidneys are low functioning. WTF? She said my kidney function is 51. One suspected reason that she threw out there is extended ibuprofen use! I'm to avoid ibuprofen (I don't take it much these days, maybe 3-4 a month?) and drink lots of water. I need to research that one a bit more.
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Post by hellsbells on Jan 28, 2011 13:35:18 GMT -5
My kidney tests have always come back pretty ok, and I've probably used more ibuprofen than you over the last couple of years. I recall my creatinine was a little abnormal/borderline at one point, ok the next time. When do you get them repeated?
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