Benzo Withdrawal Causes adrenal fatigue ???

[[Re...]]

I was thinking so many "symptoms" from recovering from benzos are the same symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue. Wouldn't it make sense that the constant panic/terror state we are in the first 8 months or so, for me anyway, could damage our adrenal system causing adrenal fatigue. It seems very logical that, yes, benzo withdrawal symptoms are real but perhaps we are more recovered than we think? Isn't it possible that we are actually dealing with adrenal fatigue for the most part? It's interesting once you look at the symptoms and causes of adrenal fatigue. Google it and check it out. I think you would agree.

 

Thanks,

Remy

[[Bu...]]

Good point.  I've often wondered if benzo withdrawal could bring on symptoms similar to adrenal fatigue or actual adrenal fatigue.  I was diagnosed with severe adrenal fatigue prior to being put on benzos and I think the similarities are very close.  I believe I have been able to get better from adrenal fatigue even while going through benzo withdrawal and recovery.  Hard to say sometimes but, I feel like it's mainly benzo wd symptoms that are left now.  I imagine that benzo withdrawal/recovery is hard on our hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis as it is on so many systems in our bodies. I could see how benzo withdrawal, tapering and recovery could exhaust us to the point of adrenal fatigue.  The doctor I'm still working with for AF said to go very slow with the benzo recovery to keep it from sending me back into any AF crashes.

[[Na...]]

I'm not sure that "Adrenal Fatigue" is a actual thing.  But, I am sure that HPA Axis Dysregulation is at thing, and I'm pretty sure that benzo/z-drug withdrawal can cause that to occur.

 

Your adrenal glands don't get fatigued.  But, the Hippocampal, Pituitary, Adrenal (HPA) axis is a very complex endocrine system of interrelated feedback mechanisms.  If you push this system off in one direction or the other, it can persist in a pathological state for a long period of time.  This is what we mean by "HPA Axis Dysregulation". 

 

Over time this system can reset itself to a normal state, and there may even be some things you can do to assist it.  In fact, I strongly suspect that the positive effects that people are getting out of Ginko Biloba may be more an product of it's cortisol lowering effect rather than it's effect on the GABA system, though that is probably beneficial as well.

 

If you'll look at the top of this page you'll see that Perseverance thought HPA Axis Dysregulation was an underlying issue.  I do as well.  It is one of the few things that we know that could persist for years after withdrawing from a drug.

 

 

[[be...]]

I get fatigue from time to time plus I sleep too much so call it whatever you want to. I just know that I hate it.

[[co...]]

Sleep... I wish. Fun fact, 5 hours of sleep apparently has the same effect as being hungover. So basically I've been hungover for 10 months. Without the good part. Sorry off topic...

[[be...]]

Sleep... I wish. Fun fact, 5 hours of sleep apparently has the same effect as being hungover. So basically I've been hungover for 10 months. Without the good part. Sorry off topic...

 

:laugh:

 

Wait for me to join the insomnia board when I get below 10 mg..........

[Guest [Le...]]

I get fatigue from time to time plus I sleep too much so call it whatever you want to. I just know that I hate it.

 

Seroquel and Trazodone must be a huge contributing factor, I would think. I was given Trazodone a number of years ago and was a total zombie. Seroquel I haven't experienced, but a number of BBs use it for sleep.

 

At one point I thought my problem was 'adrenal fatigue,' because what I read about it sounded so familiar. Now I realize it was just typical, horrible benzo withdrawal, complete with an endless feeling of being cortisol-y, 24/7.

 

So glad that's finally gone, and when it left I began sleeping almost normally again. Whew.

 

It really does get better.

[[be...]]

Thanks Leslie:

 

I know those drugs are contributing factors but I only got this fatigue recently. I was OK before. I'm thinking fibro, serious mental illness, my undies are too tight, I forgot to brush my teeth, etc. lol I can live with this one symptom. And I know it will get better, else I would be off in the woods talking to myself. And then I get a reply..............

[Guest [Le...]]

 

You're really on your way, though - so far down on the Valium. The rest should be a piece of cake after the V and K.

 

Nice going! 

[[be...]]

Thanks. I'd like to think so...........