Is the Release of Cortisol a Possible Cause?

[Apples'nAvos]

I need help

I've been under a lot of stress in the past 2 or 3 weeks, both at work and at home. During this time, my exercise has lessened (I have been absurdly tired - 9 hours doesn't feel like enough for me), so I haven't mustered the energy to get up at 5:30 like I usually do for my workouts - but i've gottenback into it this week, sleep or no sleep!) and my hunger has pretty much subsided, although for the first 2 weeks, I was eating regardless. This past week, I've just been having fruit until dinner, and then a large salad with avo and dressing and maybe some fresh coconut for dessert. My problem is this: during this stressful time, I feel like I have been gaining weight, and it's not just my imagination because my pants are tighter. Before I was raw, I was a size 6 and was happy with that, but dropped to a 4 when I went raw, so being a 6 again so suddenly doesn't feel too good, however the weight seems to be concentrated around my abdomen - I can't pull my stomach in and no matter how much or how little I've eaten, it always seems to be bulging. My bowel movements have been regular, although is does seem to take a few days for food the food I eat to be released, almost like it's not being used or disgested right away.

I've read some things about cortisol being released during high stress times
and causing fat storage in the abdomen - is this a possibility?
I just don't see how my body could have gainined all the weight back so quickly, unless it's caused by the stress, and it's diriving me crazy (yes, i know, which leads to more stress). I'm also due to get my period today, so I was atrributing it to monthly cycles, but it feels different this time.

Any advice? Should I be thinking of doing a master cleanse? Eating less fruit? Juicing?

[kiddies]

Stress will cause adrenal fatigue, and the fat is stored around the belly. I would wait to see if things go back to normal after your period.
Do you have a tired but wired feeling?
The adreanal glands are two pyramid shaped glands on top of the kidneys.
The way it was explained to me, and correct me if I am wrong, but durring stress, the kidneys and the adrenal glands get worn out. Just know that if the stress keeps up for a long period of time, the other organs will get neglected, due to the adrenal glands working on producing cortisol.

You can go to a MD to get your cortisol levels checked, just know that diferent doctors have different opinions on what levels are low and are not.

If you go to a MD they will prescribe medicine for that, hydrocortisone, and if you go to a naturopath they will reccomened some sort of glandular to give the adrenals a rest. The best thing to do is to try and illiminate the stress in your life.

Here is some info on it:

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C17669.html

Lets just hope this is bloating from the period.

Another thing, taking time to rest and relax is essential to healing in this area. Resting without the tv or other distractions are also important, because if you get emotional about something, it will effect that.

[jackierr]

Hi,
I have very badly stressed adrenals from a virus that wont leave my body. I've gained 40lb since I got sick, even with raw!! It is mostly concentrated in the abdomen and around the face for me, people even used to come up to me and ask me if I am pregnant (I almost broke down in tears each time!!). I know that B-vitamins (especially pantothenic acid) are necessary for adrenal function, as is vitamin C. Fermented foods are a great source of b-vitamins, but supplements are okay too. Yoga is great for strengthening the glands and I definetly notice a difference in my metabolism and health when I keep it up. I also notice a large benefit from green juices, like kale and wheatgrass. Its important, though, to notice the cause of the stress in your body (whether it be emotional, infection, toxicity, etc) and work on correcting that because that's when your adrenals will begin to correct themselves.

[jackierr]

Also--
Regular medical tests are not able to correctly identify adrenal insufficiency because cortisol is highest during the morning and drops drastically through the afternoon. I would look into a natural MD, DO, or ND that has experience with treating adrenal issues and is familiar with saliva or urine tests because they are much more accurate. If your blood pressure is abnormally low and/or you get dizzy when you stand from laying down, that is a very strong indicator that there is some adrenal imbalance. Hope this helps!! Good luck,
Jackie

[kiddies]

Originally Posted By jackierr
Regular medical tests are not able to correctly identify adrenal insufficiency because cortisol is highest during the morning and drops drastically through the afternoon. I would look into a natural MD, DO, or ND that has experience with treating adrenal issues and is familiar with saliva or urine tests because they are much more accurate. If your blood pressure is abnormally low and/or you get dizzy when you stand from laying down, that is a very strong indicator that there is some adrenal imbalance. Hope this helps!! Good luck,

You are correct about that, I had one MD that took my blood test, and both were low on the test results, but one wasn't as low, so she said that the first one was a "fluke". I finally found a doc that said "why did she say this wasn't low, these are both low". I think why the second one wasn't as low as the first, because I woke up at midnight and took the test at 7am, so even though it was early morning, it was like afternoon for my body.

[kiddies]

Originally Posted By jackierr
Regular medical tests are not able to correctly identify adrenal insufficiency because cortisol is highest during the morning and drops drastically through the afternoon. I would look into a natural MD, DO, or ND that has experience with treating adrenal issues and is familiar with saliva or urine tests because they are much more accurate. If your blood pressure is abnormally low and/or you get dizzy when you stand from laying down, that is a very strong indicator that there is some adrenal imbalance. Hope this helps!! Good luck,

You are correct about that, I had one MD that took my blood test, and both were low on the test results, but one wasn't as low, so she said that the first one was a "fluke". I finally found a doc that said "why did she say this wasn't low, these are both low" when I showed him a copy of the test results. It was a regular MD, but he knew more about this stuff. I think why the second one wasn't as low as the first, because I woke up at midnight and took the test at 7am, so even though it was early morning, it was like afternoon for my body.

[Apples'nAvos]

Oh hey thanks everyone for your answers!
It seems that the majority of the bloating was due to premenstrual issues, and the rest seems to be detox. i've ben having very shaprt,sporadic headaches for the past 4 or 5 days, which i haven't even felt a twinge of since my first few days raw back in january. Interestingly enough, although this period was by FAR the lightest one i've EVER had, it was also the most painful with cramps and backache.
<shrug> I guess my body know what it's doing, I'll just keep on eating raw, start my regular exercise regime again and let it do it's thing. Oh yes, and I'll try adn minimise the stress factor, because I'm sure it's playing a role, and emotional stress is the worst kind for me to deal with.

[kiddies]

I have heard (I could be wrong) that some people have backaches due to kidney stuff. Was it lower back? They are suppost to cause lower back pain. Maybe your kidneys were just doing some massive spring cleaning! :) I know my lower back hurts when I have my period, it has gotten alot better due to raw, last month the PMS was so short. IF it persists for a long time I would look into it, maybe, (but probably not) could be some kidney stones or something!