[quote]j-man1 wrote:
VTBalla34,
What adrenal issues did you have and how did you correct them?[/quote]
My body wasn’t producing cortisol…in a normal functioning system, your cortisol will be highest in the morning (around 8 am) and slowly decrease throughout the day, with (I think) a slight increase before bedtime and a sharp decline while you sleep…
I did a 4 sample saliva test (over one day) and my cortisol output was basically a flat line throughout the day…I just wasn’t producing cortisol in the right amounts at the right times…
This lead to all sorts of other issues…lowered T as my body tried to put resources to making cortisol (you can live without T, you can’t live without cortisol)…thyroid issues since thyroid receptors require cortisol in concert with thyroid hormones to activate gene expression…
I was ill tempered, and just felt like shit…depressed sometimes…just a general asshole to be around…
The treatment plan I am on is 10 mg of Cortef (a hydocortisone/corticosteroid) divided into two doses per day (one upon waking, another 4 hours later).
As a band-aid until all my systems are back online and fully functioning, I am also taking:
-Wellbutrin @ 300 mg/day (dopamine & other neuro transmitters)
-Arimidex @ 0.75 mg/week (to try for E2=22)…though I’m doubting the potency of my product
I also take between 6k-10k IU/day of Vitamin D3, 4 Biotest Flameout & FA-3 capsules/day, 7 Biotest elite mineral support at bedtime, a multivitamin (men’s pro edge one a day), and 2000 ug Vitamind B-12
I believe it is all of these working in concert that has improved my health…I intend to keep using the vitamins, minerals, and fish oils indefinitely, and will start to wean off the arimidex, wellbutrin, and cortef as the doctor advises.
KSMAN: To answer your earlier question, I personally started seeing results after about 2 months of treament. I started the Cortef in late July, and by September I was feeling much better, but still having maddening erection issues (inconsistent, there and gone, etc.). Wellbutrin and Vit B-12 seemed to help a bit.
Now nearly 4 months later, erections are rarely an issue. Im kicking ass and taking names in the gym, depression is gone, and Im loving life…good stuff man…Doc says sometimes takes up to 6 months or longer to see full repair at cellular level, so hoping it only gets better from here…