Addisons and anxiety

Mjmr · 10-25-2006, 10:41 PM

I have been diagnosed with Addisons for about 9 or 10 years now, I am doing ok, just an occasional lapse in cortisol at times, and have to boost it, but I want to know if anyone else has this....I have racing heart feelings, I had my first panic attack a year and half ago and now I have to be on anti anxiety meds........is this "normal" I just need to see if I am alone on this. No one informed me on this and I cannot find anything on it. Do you think I will be forever on these meds? I hate them. It is the only way I can "relax" but I cannot sleep without them either.

Help

Mjrm

DamianP · 10-26-2006, 02:49 AM

Hmm, I have lived with Addisons for about 20yrs and im 24 now and have extreme anxiety and have just been put on meds for depression and anxiety about a week ago, i have tried to go as long as possible without going on meds but it has ended up playing with work and my social life but before that i tried a relaxation course to try and help with it allthough it didnt work for me it might work for you so maybe you could try something like that but unfortunetly anxiety is a massive side effect of the cortisone and medication might be the only way to deal with it!

I hope this helps!

orion · 10-26-2006, 03:12 AM

Have you had your thyroid checked? Thyroid and adrenal problems can conspire to produced anxiety.

gettin' better · 10-26-2006, 02:28 PM

I was diagnosed with hypopituitarism -- and hence hypothyroidism and secondary Addison's disease -- three years ago. Shortly after, I did a deep dive into anxiety and depression. I am still on meds for both. I don't like taking them, either, but I was in a pretty bad way. They have improved the quality of my life a lot. Good luck to you.

WandaB · 10-26-2006, 06:22 PM

I am curious if those of you with anxiety and depression take only one dose in the morning. Taking too much replacement at one time or too much in the total daily dose can contribute to these problems.

Have any of you tried a different cortisol replacement than you are currently taking to see if that makes a difference in how you feel? For instance, I feel terrible on Cortef.

It must be very difficult to deal with the anxiety and depression on top of having addisons. Hope all goes well.

Wanda