Posted by catmint on November 28, 2002, at 0:07:43
In reply to Re: Is depression damaging my brain? » catmint, posted by Pfinstegg on November 26, 2002, at 22:44:18
>>As treatments become more focussed on regulating the abnormalities in stress hormones, it is going to be much easier for people to attain really good remissions. Specifically, these would be cortisol-lowering drugs such as mifepristone.
Pfinstegg,
This is interesting. I read somewhere that survivors of sexual abuse have very high cortisol levels. That might explain why I was hospitalized at age 10 for a week due to severe pain in the kidney region (adrenals).They never found out what was wrong with me, I was tested for almost everything, appendicitis, kidney disease, nothing turned up.
In retrospect, I think I was having a major reaction to being abused and I couldn't physically handle the stress. Call it "psychosomatic" but I don't think so. Now, I am 36, bipolar, mostly depressed, and at my wits end as to what treatment to try next.
I've often thought I have high cortisol levels and wonder why this is largely ignored by doctors, especially if there is a history of child abuse.I took mifepristone precisely for it's regulated use. I had no idea it lowered cortisol levels. How can I get more info on mifepristone for depression. Also, do you know if there is an accurate test to show high cortisol levels? If so, is it expensive (I'm in the US)?
Thank you,
Amy
poster:catmint
thread:129341
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129671.html