So i just got my hormone tests back and come to find out on the day I took them ( as they are always flucuating at my age...54..) that my estrogen and testosterone levels were 0.....that's right zero! But ..the most telling sign as far as my fatique etc. was that my DHEA level was 66 out of 430. Now the DHEA is what runs the adrenal systym,which has everything to do with our energy levels. I'm obviously out of juice. So combine that with the hormone levels which in we women have such a huge effect on our well-being , also joints ,muscles, and all that other physical stuff, ..and I think I have my answer to my health problems. At this point I am ruling out the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. My point of posting this is to urge everyone on this site to dig deeper into their own diagnosis if at all possible. If I had just let the diagnosis of fibromyalgia be it for me ,I would forever be stuck with it. Now I feel I can be well again.... good luck everyone on your own journeys and quests to better health. :angel:

Good work, Kathryn. When you get your testosterone & DHEA levels up, you'll notice a big difference in your energy. And a little bit of estrogen is good for the aches & pains.

There are diff sorts of Rxs for hormone replacement. I recommend bio-identical HRT -- have used it for years myself. I find the topicals are much easier to optimally dose than patches or pills.

Many people w/fibro have underlying hormonal imbalance. Setting that right doesn't always eliminate the fibro for all of us, but it certainly makes a BIG difference in the level of pain suffered, energy, and activity level.

Best wishes.

Thank-you...I'm obviously hoping that this will take care of my achs and pains ...but as you rightly replied...it could only be an underlying problem re:fibro.Also. since i've been on prednisone for poison oak I have felt much better ..whatever that means as regards to my diagnosis.. I have an RX compounded hormone cream (estrogen /progesterone /testosterone) that i will be applying twice a day. As well as something called Good Stuff....(a DHEA tincture under the tongue. ) Tastes horrible and burns ...but will all be worth it to feel better again.

Kathryn,

Since you're feeling much better on the pred, I'm wondering whether your doc also tested your cortisol levels? (Hopefully while you were NOT on pred). Cortisol is another major adrenal hormone,and sometimes it's deficient in fibro.

When you come off the pred, do follow your doc's instructions carefully about weaning down on the dose.

Best wishes.

Are there natural ways to get cortisol? I surely don't want to be on predniosone with all the side effects etc., if I can get it in a natural form...

I just took my last dose of predisone. Gradually weaned off of it. We'll see if my symptoms come back.

This just came to mind. I was read something that said if your DHEA is abnormally low then you are also probaby too high in Cortisol as they are correlating hormones. Now isn't cortisol the "stress " hormone.? I've had constant stress in my life ,always seem to be in that "fight or flight" mode ,which results in the" dumping" of the cortisol and the depletion of the DHEA. and the overworked adrenals.

I will ask my Dr at my next appt in Jan about testing for cortisol also ....

thanks for your input.... take care.

Thanks Kat and Elm for this interesting thread. I can relate to so much of it. Haven't had time to read or post much lately but this caught my eye and just couldn't resist telling you how much I can relate.

Glojer