Fibromyalgia: Cortisol May Help
New research shows that fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and fatigue may be alleviated by administration of Cortisol, a naturally occurring hormone in the body.
Kent Holtorf, MD, Medical Director of the Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection Related Illness, has concluded that most patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome have abnormal adrenal function (based on a review of 50 published studies that assessed adrenal function in this patient population).
Doctor Holtorf's study, recently published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, demonstrated that patients that were given cortisol as part of a multi-system treatment experienced significant improvement in their symptoms, including reduced pain and more energy.
Dr. Holtorf's research was confirmed in an observational study he conducted that followed 500 patients from his clinic, where all of the patients were given cortisol as part of their treatment protocol:
94% showed improvement by the fourth visit;
75% noted significant improvement;
As shown in the study published in Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, cortisol doses of 5-to-15 mg a day were shown to have little or no associated risk while having the potential for significant benefit for patients with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Posted by: Stephanie
Subject: Cortisol and Fibromyalgia
Being a fibro patient on prednisone I would never recommend this as a way to treat pain and fatigue. It has a multitude of bad side effects and risks including bone loss, higher risk of stroke, and long term dependence on steriods.
Gentle exercise daily is the best way to reduce pain and increase stamina. All drugs have side effects and if you are a thyroid patient the side effects can be magnified!
March 21st, 2008
Subject: Cortisol
You are confusing Cortisol with Prednisone. Cortisol, also known as the Stress Hormone, leads to rapid weight gain when the body produces too much of it. We need to replace the Cortisol our body has lost. I use bio-identical hormones which are VERY safe, made from plants, as well as natural Cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone while prednisone is a steroid.
April 7th, 2008
Subject: Cortisol and Fibromyalgia
About five years ago I was diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis and Fibro. I just recently had my second epidural spinal injection for leg/sciatica pain. The first treatment had an odd but wonderful side-effect, although it only cured the leg/sciatica pain by about 30 percent, it also gave me for the first time in years, a feeling of energy and "feeling like my old self again." It only lasted for about 4-6 weeks, but they were wonderful. The Doctor thought this was not the typical reaction and suggested I get my hormone/Cortisol levels checked. It came back in the normal range, but on the very low end. Anybody have a similar experience or any info on Cortisol and Fibro. This is the first I've heard of any connection.
June 14th, 2008
Subject: Test Cortisol Levels first
Taking another drug is simply more of a version of health care that has many people stuck in a rut. This is a medical model of health care, not a holistic one. The time for true holistic health care is NOW!
Before taking ANY hormone, have your cortisol levels tested. Saliva testing is the easiest and most reliable method. Diagnos-Techs has excellent hormone panels.
If your cortisol cycle is inverted (peaks at night) you do not want to add more cortisol to your system. Rather you want to re-balance the system. If you find yourself regularly waking up in the night this could be one indication.
Simple dietary changes, a purification program, supplements and some lifestyle changes will go much farther in reversing your symptoms than taking hormones. Balance the ones you have!
July 16th, 2008