Re: What could this mean--high cortisol levels!-THANKS BELLE!!!!!
From: Barbra (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 26 Feb 2002 22:15:20 -0600 (CST)
At Tue, 26 Feb 2002, Belle wrote:
>
>Ketoconszole is an anti-fungal. It is the same thing that is in Nizorol
>(the dandruff shampoo). I do not know about other uses for this drug, I
>have never done any research on it.
>
>I have no idea what is going on with your body, your symptoms are all
>over the board. I *think* that there is a possibility that some of your
>symptoms could be attributed to some of the medications or suppliments
>that you are on. I was taught that if I had someone on 14 drugs, the
>last 7 are to counteract the first 7. I know that in my case, that it
>true to a certain extent. I take 5 regularly prescribed drugs and a
>multitude of suppliments. One specific example is Milk thistle. I take
>solely because the rest of the prescribed drugs are toxic to the liver.
>(There are other examples but you get the idea.)
>
I agree with that!Thanks!
>There is the possibility that you may have an adrenal tumor but a
>bloated belly, round face and even the bowel problems could be related
>to a problem with fluids or the kidneys. My guess would not be
>Cushing's with the elevated DHEAS but possibly CAH. However, a small
>increase in DHEAS is common in PCOS.
>What is CAH?Sorry?Are my Dhea's slightly increased/or greatly?
>It can be torture waiting for the tests to confirm or rule out a
>problem. I have been there and I thought that I would rather know what
>the problem is than just the symptoms. Since learning the problem, I
>have learned that it is better to pray that there is a known *cure* for
>the problem that is causing all of the symptoms so the doctors know what
>to do with it after they name it. :)
>
Yes,wish I could just get ONE diagnosis and move on!Be treated and
that's it.
>I would say that you are correct in assuming that your testosterone and
>androgen is high. This could be related to PCOS.
>
>You might want to mention the increased DHEAS and restlessness to your
>psychologist. I have very limited experience with psych difficulties.
>Most of my time was spent helping out some seriously ill people. I did
>not spend a large amount of time learning about this area but I do
>recall something about increased DHEAS and restlessness being a part of
>something.
> My psychiatrist is the one that is currently referring me to the other specialists because of my elevated DHEA"S.Yes,elevated dhea's are sometimes a result of a panic disorder,of which he says I don't have.,I almost wish it were that simple for him to just tell me that I have it and treat it as such,,,but he is the specialist here.My diagnosis mentally is that of an Adjusment Disorder related to medical problems....Oh gosh.....all I can do is talk to him about it.It certainly gives me hope that yes,there is a cure waiting for me yet!
>There are so many possibilities about what could be causing your
>problems that it would be impossible for me to give any advise other
>than to 1) be comfortable with your doctor and 2) give him or her all of
>your information. Something that may seem trivial or unrelated to you
>may make the doctor go in an entirely different direction. Write down
>all of your symptoms including the restlessness, etc. and all of your
>medications and suppliments whether they be over the counter or
>prescription. Write down how frequently the symptoms occur, how long
>they last, when they began to occur, what they are associated with, etc.
>Write down how frequently you take the meds, dosage you take, when you
>started them, etc.
>
>I wish I could help you more but this is the best I can do right now.
>
You've helped alot.Thanks again Belle...I do enjoy reading your
posts....very informative for me and I now use them to bring into my
appointments.....getting smarter now!LOL!Well,just more informed!
Thank you ever so much...just knowing someone understands-helps me cope
a bit better.
Are you a doctor?If you aren't one,you should certainly consider
becoming one,as you sure do have the knowledge and the patience to deal
with people as illiterate when it comes to medical problems!!!
>At Tue, 26 Feb 2002, Barbra wrote:
>>
>>I am currently on Ketoconazole and was told it blocks the adrenal
>>production of cortisol..My understanding from my doctor ,is that it is
>>anti-fungal.
>>
>>IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT I HAVE AN ADRENAL TUMOUR?or Cushings?No-one will elaborate and I am not on any steroids.
>>I AM EXTREMELY CONFUSED,AS I HAVE NOT HAD ALL THE TESTS MENTIONED IN
>>THIS POST AND DO PRESENT WITH ALOT OF THE SIGNS.I HAVE A VERY
>>MASCULINE,MUSCULAR BODY NOW...I didn"t before!MY FACE IS MOON SHAPED AND
>>I HAVE THIS BLOATED BELLY.
>>THEY WERE RULING OUT THE PHEOCHROMATOMA(I know my spelling is incorrect
>>here),but am constantly told that it is my pituitary gland causing alot
>>of problems,yet I have to wait months to get the brain scans or whatever
>>else the doctor has requested. Dhea's
>>now 17.3 (1.2-7.3 micromoles/L) .I was told
>>the bracket numbers indicate results within normal limits,so it would be
>>accepable for me to think that this is very high? Now my latest free
>>androgen index is 15.5 (0.55-4.40),,again,the brackets indicate
>>normal...again,is it wise to assume these are very high?
>>My testosterone is now 3.0(>2 nanomoles/litre)
>>
>>--
>>Gentle hugs to all,
>>Barbra Camara
>>
>--
>Hope this helps at least some,
>
>Belle
>
--
Gentle hugs to all,
Barbra Camara
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