Cortisol level concern

[[Ne...]]

I am concerned with what elevated cortisol levels or doing to my body since I've been off the medication for seven months. It seems that in the morning I struggle with the driving, negative compulsive thoughts,  Disassociatiion,  and de- personalization.  It has been this way since I have stopped the medication but it is getting easier over time. I blame this on what I think is elevated cortisol levels due to the WD.

 

Is there a way to find out if my cortisol levels are normal? I'm at where you can check your cortisol levels through a test, but I think that's just to test the effectiveness of your adrenal gland .  I don't think they can test for hire cortisol due to stress. 

 

In the seven months of the withdrawal, I gained a stomach. I believe this is also due to higher cortisol level as I came across an article stating this is due to your body not converting  protein correctly or something like that.  I am 29 years old and have been scrawny my whole life, and then all of a sudden I got Thai beer gut. Yet I'm still scrawny everywhere else.

 

Does anyone have any insight on  regulating, testing or overall health effects from high cortisol levels? Is there any correlation besides the high stress from WD  between benzo's and cortisol?

 

[[wa...]]

I'm not sure when you quit benzos 12/16? but I have seen alot of discussion about cortisol on the forum.  You might do a search.  Also, alcohol and cannabis might effect cortisol.

 

There is a saliva test your doc can order if they are concerned.  You swab your tongue 3-4 times in 24 hour and the lab determines your cortisol levels and if they are fluctuating the way they should.  Most GPs will want only a blood test which reflects something else.  WBB

[[pu...]]

Benzo withdrawal causes cortisol levels to rise. Until we heal, the cortisol levels won't dip back down to a normal state. Excersize, diet, yoga, meditation, a good diet,  healthy socialization or love life, art, and another healthy activities can help lower them. They will always be higher than usual in withdrawal.

 

I had a cortisol test, 4 times a day, and it was high, of course. You don't really need to be tested to know that it's high, I think everyone in withdrawal can feel it. There's no magic pill to lower it. Just have to live healthy and heal over time. So don't get stressed out about it, that will make it higher! 

[[Fe...]]

Slow walks affect cortisol. I've red somewhere that 3 times half an hour walks (slow normal pace) can all ready lower cortisol for a fair amount. I walk twice a day and noticed a big difference after some time

 

wenn